EMG Music Lessons
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN LEARNING TO PLAY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT? WE CAN HELP YOU!!
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The tutors at EMG Music Hub have over 100 years combined experience in teaching people how to play a musical instrument to students all over the country!
As well as that, EVERY ONE OF THEM IS A WORKING MUSICIAN!
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Check out our list of AMAZING tutors below, then feel free to CALL OR TEXT THEM to organise some lessons!
GUITAR TUTORS (alphabetical order)
STUART LOVELL
ELECTRIC GUITAR - Beginner, Rock, Metal, Soloing and Techniques
TEACHING DAYS: THURSDAY
Stuart began playing guitar in high school in 1988 and commenced lessons with local guitar icon Kevin Ballard the next year. For the next four years Stuart attended weekly lessons and guitar consumed his life - Stuart's voracious appetite for new skills, attention to detail and love of practicing meant he quickly became very good at playing.
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During this time Stuart started playing in bands with his friends. His first group was a metal covers band named Maximum Overdrive with great friends Christian Strybis and Mick Radburn. This band continued for many years, and featured a roster of singers including Dean Snook, who also teaches at EMG.
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Stuart either formed or joined many more bands in the years to come, the common thread being heavy rock and metal as influences. Stuart has been a member of such groups as Infiltration, Thuggery and Corrotted. these bands refined Stuart's metal sensibilities, and also allowed him to start writing original music. Stuart's first foray into original material was through writing metal riffs, recording them crudely on tape players and then soloing over them endlessly.
This desire to write, play and record original music prompted Stuart to enter into the world of sophisticated recording. Having struck up a friendship with Tanya and Trevor Brown at Bass 'n' Blues Music, Stuart started purchasing equipment to start his own studio, whilst at the same time learning engineering from Kevin Ballard, who also owned one of the first professional studios in the area - Sureshot Studios.
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With his engineering skills improving and his list of equipment adequate enough to start recording seriously, Stuart opened Rotten Crypt Studios - The Mid North Coast's premier recording establishment focussed on heavier music and all styles of metal. Of course - that wasn't all that was being recorded there, Stuart had many clients and artists utilise his great facilities, but metal remained his first love. This is evidenced with his band Corrotted's blistering death metal masterpiece "This Isn't A F#@$%g Joke', which was completely recorded and released from Rotten Crypt Studios.
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By 2010, Stuart started tutoring students out of Bass 'n' Blues' music studio, which was situated next door to the shop in Albert St. By 2015, Stuart had expanded his teaching into local Private School MVAC as well as working part-time with the Australian Children's Music Foundation, augmenting music lessons in schools like Chatham High.
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At this point Stuart happened to record some demo songs for a local band named Cranky Duck. It just so happened that they would soon need a new lead guitarist, and Stuey was the only guy for this gig. He fit like a round peg in a round hole, and he still plays with them to this day. He has great fun playing with this amazing group of musicians and human beings.
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After 20 years of association with Bass 'n' Blues Music Studio, teaching new guitarists from 5-80 years of age, Stuey came across to EMG Music Hub in May 2023 when Bass 'n' Blues decided to pass coordination of lessons across to Scotty and Michael. This was a perfect fit for Stuey, having known Scott and Michael for decades, and teaching in the studio next door to fellow tutor and great mate Michael for more than 10 years.
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As at December 2023, Stuart has played guitar for 35 years, played in bands for 33, and taught hundreds of students over 20 years. He finds great joy in teaching beginners and experienced guitarists alike. His system of teaching has stood the test of time, with countless students gaining great marks in the HSC, joining and playing in bands, and even just enjoying a strum around the fire with friends.
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Music and guitar is Stuart's life. He still runs Rotten Crypt Studios, releasing professional level recordings for clients on a regular basis. He still plays with Cranky Duck, and can be seen most weekends in a local venue smashing out the big guitar solos too. He also loves meeting new people and sharing his incredible talent with them. And he knows that you will enjoy lessons with him!
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Call or text him on 0414 502 113
DEAN SNOOK
ELECTRIC GUITAR, Beginner, Rock, Technique and Soloing
TEACHING DAYS: TUESDAY, THURSDAY
Dean Snook is a fully qualified teacher in the UK, Victoria and NSW. He worked as the Musical and Choral Director for St Johns Regional College (Melbourne) and also as a full time Music, Media and Drama teacher. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Media (Newcastle), Grad. Dip. Ed. (Honour Roll, Monash) and Master’s Degree (RMIT).
Dean studied acting with veteran Australian actor Bob Hornery. He taught and performed in London, Sydney and Melbourne, where he also worked professionally as a Stage and Musical Director. He is an opera trained vocalist who performed as a Principal in La Belle Helene (Opera Hunter) before relocating to Melbourne in 2002.
As an actor, his performance accolades include Best Actor nominations for The Pirate King (Pirates of Penzance), George Dillingham (Aspects of Love) and Dean also received the Music Theatre Guild Judges Award for his portrayal of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. His theatre performances over the past thirty years are too numerous to include in this biography.
Dean plays bass guitar with City Hall (who are recording their new album) and previously with The Same Boat, a Melbourne based originals band. Prior to Melbourne, Dean played and sang with Midian, Gosh Batman, 1000 Gods and XLR8.
He most recently Directed and played the role of Judas in the 2023 TAC production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Dean (with Kev Ballard) was a principal guitar teacher at Taree Music Centre for ten years and his former students have gone on to perform, tour and teach professionally around Australia.
Call or text him on 0419 237 716
BASS GUITAR TUTORS
SCOTT GREENAWAY
BASS GUITAR - Beginner, Rock, Funk, Country, Blues, Advanced Bass Techniques
TEACHING DAYS: MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY
Scott has been a bass player for 23 years. He has performed onstage with many Australian artists and recorded on dozens of major label releases.
Scott has performed all across Australia as well as Europe, U.K. and U.S.A.
Scott has a Bachelor’s degree in contemporary music and a Master’s degree in Music Therapy.
Scott has extensive experience as a music tutor and takes an approach to learning that is collaborative, focuses on creativity and places the enjoyment of music at the centre of the process.
Call or text him on 0404 474 022
DRUM TUTORS (alphabetical order)
MATT BEVITT
Beginner, Rock, Rudiments
TEACHING DAYS: TUESDAY
Matt, is a born and bred Taree local, all 37 years of it! He started playing drums at the age of 12 after being exposed to some of the greats like AC/DC, Led Zepplin and Deep Purple, every weekend while his dad worked around the house.
Initially Matt taught himself how to play by listening to as much as he could and replicating what he heard on his mum’s pots and pans (no Youtube in those days!). His mum and dad weren’t convinced that he would stick at it, so he used anything he possibly could to make a drum set. But things changed once he hit high school - they had a drumkit, so he spent every spare moment on it.
Eventually Matt's parents realised that he wasn't going to give up, so they took the money they had been saving for an air conditioner and bought Matt's first drum kit from Bass'n'Blues. Whilst Matt's neighbours at the time didn't think that was a very good idea at all, we definitely do because now Matt's a gun drummer - thanks mum and dad!!
From there, Matt's relationship with drums and music bloomed. In order to be able to have his drumkit set up 24/7 in his bedroom, Matt got rid of his bed and slept on a small mattress in the corner - he was that obsessed!! Matt played and played and played as much as he could at home. At school he joined a band and he was hooked for life - the rest is history!!
At age 17 Matt realised he needed lessons to continue to improve, so he commenced lessons with legendary local drummer and tutor Phil Ridley at Bass n Blues. Very rapidly, Matt's playing went next level, resulting in an invitation to join hot local band Mum Says Rock, just four months before his 18th birthday. Matt became firm comrades with the other members of the band and they have remained friends and bandmates to this day - yes, Mum Says Rock STILL smash it up on the local scene!
The local music scene has become a massive part of Matt's life, being an active and popular drummer who has played in numerous covers and original bands over his time. As the powerhouse drummer for Mum Says Rock Matt has shared the stage with such amazing bands as The Angels, The Black Sorrows, The Radiators and Mental as Anything, to name but a few. Matt became part of James Johnston's touring band after his Australian Idol appearance, and he has filled in for pretty much anyone who needed his services.
Starting lessons with Phil started Matt on the path to teaching drums. After witnessing his incredibly strong timing, tasty chops and energetic performing, Tanya and Trevor at Bass'n'Blues offered him a teaching position at their music school. In May 2023, when the Bass'n'Blues Music School closed and EMG Music Hub opened, we were proud to have Matt come across as one of the Hub's incredibly talented and experienced drumming tutors. As at January 2024 Matt has been tutoring keen young drummers for 16 years.
Matt's taste in music is wide and varied. If you hit shuffle on his Spotify faves list, you'll hear everything from AC/DC to Luke Combs, and Taylor Swift to Parkway Drive, and everything in-between. Matt's mantra is, 'It doesn't matter what style it is - if it has a good beat, it's awesome!!'.
Call or text him on 0438 287 754
MICHAEL EYB
Beginner, Rock, Funk, Reggae, Rudiments, HSC prep, Eisteddfods
TEACHING DAYS: MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY
Michael started playing drums at age 11, and he still doesn't know what he wants to do when he grows up!
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Fortunately for him, Michael has managed to make a living out of playing drums over the past 38 years. This includes teaching hundreds of drummers from around the Mid North Coast for a total of 21 years.
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Michael has played in some of this area's weirdest and most fun bands, including Circle Of Fate, Meester Steenky, Mumford Disben, iChoonz and Callum Murray & The Seafood Extenders.
Michael has also performed in musical theatre orchestras for many Taree Arts Council productions, such as Fiddler On The Roof, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Leader Of The Pack, Bye Bye Birdie, Cabaret and Les Miserables.
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Over the past couple of years Michael has had the great fortune to back such great original artists as Grace + Hugh, Darren Jack and Matt Zarb. He has also been called upon to play for such stellar tribute shows as Diamond - The Neil Diamond Experience, Blues Brothers Rebooted and Mr Soul - the Tom Jones Show. Within this environment Michael enjoys backing musicians locally, on tour and also on cruise ship gigs.
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Michael is also one of the guilty parties who dreamed up and opened EMG MUSIC HUB in May 2023, making sure that the local musical community has a place to learn musical instruments, rehearse and record in conjunction with STUDIO 27 RECORDING.
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And as if that isn't enough, Michael is also the owner of EYE NOAH GUY BACKLINE HIRE and INTENSE RHYTHM DRUM MUSIC TRANSCRIPTIONS. How he finds time for his extremely understanding wife Kerry and three children Josie, Hannah and Ryder is a mystery - but somehow he does it!
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Michael's favourite styles include funk, reggae, disco and rock, and whilst he's still not terrific at them, he enjoys the challenge of rudimental exercises and how to incorporate them into his kit playing. Michael enjoys reading gigs and loves teaching students how to play them drums!
Call or text him on 0468 455 759
VOCAL TUTORS (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
DEAN SNOOK
Theatre, HSC Drama / Performance
TEACHING DAYS: TUESDAY, THURSDAY
Dean Snook is a fully qualified teacher in the UK, Victoria and NSW. He worked as the Musical and Choral Director for St Johns Regional College (Melbourne) and also as a full time Music, Media and Drama teacher. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Media (Newcastle), Grad. Dip. Ed. (Honour Roll, Monash) and Master’s Degree (RMIT).
Dean studied acting with veteran Australian actor Bob Hornery. He taught and performed in London, Sydney and Melbourne, where he also worked professionally as a Stage and Musical Director. He is an opera trained vocalist who performed as a Principal in La Belle Helene (Opera Hunter) before relocating to Melbourne in 2002.
As an actor, his performance accolades include Best Actor nominations for The Pirate King (Pirates of Penzance), George Dillingham (Aspects of Love) and Dean also received the Music Theatre Guild Judges Award for his portrayal of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. His theatre performances over the past thirty years are too numerous to include in this biography.
Dean plays bass guitar with City Hall (who are recording their new album) and previously with The Same Boat, a Melbourne based originals band. Prior to Melbourne, Dean played and sang with Midian, Gosh Batman, 1000 Gods and XLR8.
He most recently Directed and played the role of Judas in the 2023 TAC production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Dean (with Kev Ballard) was a principal guitar teacher at Taree Music Centre for ten years and his former students have gone on to perform, tour and teach professionally around Australia.
Call or text him on 0419 237 716
KEYBOARD TUTORS (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
ALISON ROSS
PIANO - Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, General, AMEB
TEACHING DAYS: THURSDAY
Alison is a classically trained pianist (AMEB), plays saxophones & woodwinds and is passionate about sharing the joy & love of music through creativity and improvisation. She teaches all ages and stages in Piano, Saxophone and Flute, encompassing classical, jazz, funk and blues styles.
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Alison has an extensive and eclectic teaching and performing career with over 35 years experience in jazz, blues and funk bands (Cheatin’ Hearts, Killer Tomatoes and Soul Mates to name a few), as well as teaching in primary and secondary schools, bands and choirs.
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Alison has worked for the Arts Health Institute as a Maestro in intergenerational choirs, as a Band Tutor for Conservatorium Mid North Coast in many local schools and continues to play an active role in local musical ensembles and choirs in the area.
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Alison is qualified as B.MUS/B.TEACHING with the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB). She also has her Post Grad Certificate in Special Education as well as Orff-Schulwerk Certificates. This wide range of qualifications allows Alison to employ the appropriate musical education approach to each student.
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“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the
imagination, and life to everything ….” Plato.
DEAN SNOOK
PIANO - Beginner, General
TEACHING DAYS: TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY
Dean Snook is a fully qualified teacher in the UK, Victoria and NSW. He worked as the Musical and Choral Director for St Johns Regional College (Melbourne) and also as a full time Music, Media and Drama teacher. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Media (Newcastle), Grad. Dip. Ed. (Honour Roll, Monash) and Master’s Degree (RMIT).
Dean studied acting with veteran Australian actor Bob Hornery. He taught and performed in London, Sydney and Melbourne, where he also worked professionally as a Stage and Musical Director. He is an opera trained vocalist who performed as a Principal in La Belle Helene (Opera Hunter) before relocating to Melbourne in 2002.
As an actor, his performance accolades include Best Actor nominations for The Pirate King (Pirates of Penzance), George Dillingham (Aspects of Love) and Dean also received the Music Theatre Guild Judges Award for his portrayal of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. His theatre performances over the past thirty years are too numerous to include in this biography.
Dean plays bass guitar with City Hall (who are recording their new album) and previously with The Same Boat, a Melbourne based originals band. Prior to Melbourne, Dean played and sang with Midian, Gosh Batman, 1000 Gods and XLR8.
He most recently Directed and played the role of Judas in the 2023 TAC production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Dean (with Kev Ballard) was a principal guitar teacher at Taree Music Centre for ten years and his former students have gone on to perform, tour and teach professionally around Australia.
Call or text him on 0419 237 716
WOODWIND AND HORNS
ALISON ROSS
PIANO - Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, General, AMEB
TEACHING DAYS: THURSDAY
Alison is a classically trained pianist (AMEB), plays saxophones & woodwinds and is passionate about sharing the joy & love of music through creativity and improvisation. She teaches all ages and stages in Piano, Saxophone and Flute, encompassing classical, jazz, funk and blues styles.
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Alison has an extensive and eclectic teaching and performing career with over 35 years experience in jazz, blues and funk bands (Cheatin’ Hearts, Killer Tomatoes and Soul Mates to name a few), as well as teaching in primary and secondary schools, bands and choirs.
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Alison has worked for the Arts Health Institute as a Maestro in intergenerational choirs, as a Band Tutor for Conservatorium Mid North Coast in many local schools and continues to play an active role in local musical ensembles and choirs in the area.
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Alison is qualified as B.MUS/B.TEACHING with the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB). She also has her Post Grad Certificate in Special Education as well as Orff-Schulwerk Certificates. This wide range of qualifications allows Alison to employ the appropriate musical education approach to each student.
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“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the
imagination, and life to everything ….” Plato.