Music

Vocal tuition classes offer training and and understanding of vocal technique, breathing, support, posture, and performance. With focuses on vocal anatomy and performance, students will be able to grow their talent and excel in the main growth areas. The objectives and goals of these lessons is to teach every student how to properly use their ‘instrument’. It is to grow their voice in a safe, encouraging and educational environment.

Students will receive instruction through a variety of mediums including flashcards, theory activity pages, Scales, Sight-reading and Aural Exercises, through verbal instruction, and, of course, practical experience at the keyboard to allow them to acquire the basics of music and mastery of keyboard techniques. Students will also have the opportunity to complete graded levels of music and develop in all areas of musicianship to move on to perform with greater confidence, accompany groups within the school and in their respective church settings. Students are encouraged to enter into the AMEB program of study and sit for annual examinations from either Classical or Leisure Syllabus and can expect to receive passing marks and certificates of achievement from AMEB.

For beginners, students will learn everything from how to hold drum sticks correctly to understanding basic drum tabs/notation, playing dynamically with backing tracks and basic drum techniques. Intermediate students will have the opportunity to expand their learning with; Different time signatures like 3/4, 4/4, 6/8 and 7/8; Reading and following a whole songs drum notation; Breaking down a whole song, analysing it's parts; Practicing a particular song the student chooses, starting at 75% speed, building up for full speed, then playing to a drumless backing track; Improvising non-linear fills while playing with tutor playing guitar; More complex drum rudiments including flams, double stroke rolls, triplets; Hi-hat improvisations with 16th notes, using the Hihat pedal for additional flavour; Hitting the off-beats on the snare; creating more flavour with Bass pedal; Using the ride cymbal, including the bell and incorporating dynamic sounds from different cymbals.

Guitar tuition is available for students from absolute beginners through to intermediate. Students have the opportunity to follow a set curriculum or tailoring lessons to their individual needs. Students will also learn to perform with greater confidence, accompany groups within the school and in their respective church settings.

Weekly violin lessons include focus on technique, including: Correct playing posture, Intonation, vibrato, tuning, Scales, Arpeggios and more. The curriculum used in lessons varies depending on the student’s wishes and their musical needs and levels. The repertoire used includes AMEB, Suzuki, as well as a variety of supplemental pieces in a large range of musical styles and genres. The main focus and objectives of these lessons is finding ways to regularly challenge, inspire and motivate the students to practice and learn more in order to help them become better musicians with a lifelong love of music.

Music at Norwest Christian College offers students the chance to explore their creativity. There is a strong focus on music performing as well as music creation. The vision of Norwest Christian College is to continue to grow the arts and to offer all students the opportunity to be involved in music making and develop their God given talents so that the arts become a life-long interest and become an active member of the college community. They enable students to grow their skills as musicians but also helps to develop all the BPL dispositions. 

For more information on the programs available please click on the links below.

Development Band
Concert Band
String Ensemble
Girls Choir

With a profound passion for music and a dedication to nurturing the talents of young learners, Judah has established a wonderful career as a music teacher. He believes that music is a universal language that can enrich lives, foster creativity, and build meaningful connections. Throughout his career, Judah has consistently demonstrated his commitment to providing a supportive and engaging learning environment for students of all ages. His approach focuses on developing foundational skills while encouraging each student to explore and enjoy the world of music. Judah’s teaching philosophy is centered on the idea that every student has unique potential, and he tailors his lessons to meet their individual needs and goals.

Ray Badham is a dedicated and experienced musician, songwriter, and educator, with thirty years of experience in ministry and education roles. He is passionate about helping people flourish in their God-given gifts and in their walk with Christ. Ray holds a degree in music composition and is a fan of music -enjoying playing guitar, writing songs, and producing music. He focuses on foundational techniques and knowledge, emphasising the enjoyment of playing music. Ray tailors his tuition to the needs and goals of each student.

Naomi Coulton has over 15 years of experience in music education. She is enthusiastic about the prospect of bringing her passion for music education, innovative teaching methods, and extensive expertise to Norwest Christian College. 

Having played in church for as long as she can remember, Naomi's teaching extends beyond traditional graded exams. It encompasses improvisation with chords, composition, and music theory. Naomi's greatest attribute lies in her ability to tailor lessons to the specific needs of each student. She firmly believes that nurturing a love for music will ultimately empower students to reach their fullest potential. 

Over the years, Naomi has earned numerous qualifications from various music boards and holds a special fondness for performing duets. More recently, she has taken on the role of an examiner for the International Music Examination Board. 

Naomi believes that this additional responsibility enhances her teaching by ensuring that her methods consistently meet the required examination standards.

As a graduate from The Sydney Conservatorium of Music (Bach. Mus. Ed), Meredith has taught for many years as a music specialist in primary school classrooms. She has trained and conducted choirs, small ensemble groups and trained students in music theory, both written and practical. As a flute tutor, Meredith has over 30 years of experience. She has taught students ranging in age from 7 to 60. She has prepared students for exams, both school (junior, high and HSC) and AMEB.

Meredith has performed as a guest artist for The St Andrew’s Cathedral Orchestra both as a soloist and orchestra member and has presented several chamber concerts.

Samantha is currently completing her Masters of Music Studies (Performance - Jazz Piano) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and has recently completed an exchange semester at the University of Colorado Boulder at the Thompson Jazz Studies Centre. She attained a Bachelor of Music (Performance) in 2020 at Excelsia College, where she received the music award for the highest GPA in her cohort. Samantha also completed an Advanced Diploma in Worship Music in 2017 at Hillsong International Leadership College. Samantha is passionate about jazz and enjoys composing and arranging, as well as exploring ways to communicate to people through music. She has also explored classical organ & piano, as well as a range of contemporary genres such as funk, pop & electronic music, where she has been able to utilise her skills in digital sounds and effects. Samantha has also spent time focusing on voice as well as song writing.

My name is Narelle Robertson. I am a local Music Teacher, with 40 years of experience in private piano/keyboard tutoring. I commenced tutoring when I was 16, and have been teaching in one form or another ever since.

My experience for the past 20+ years has been as a Classroom Music Teacher within the Anglican Schools Corporation, mainly at Richard Johnson Anglican College (2003 - 2021), lately at Penrith Anglican College (2022 - 2023).

At my Church, Life Anglican Quakers Hill, I lead worship for the 7.45am Service and also once a month for the 9am and 11am Congregations.

As a Classroom Music teacher however, I taught keyboard to many, many classes of Year 7 & 8 students, from 2003 to 2021 and since 2022 have had a number of Piano students at my Home Studio. As an HSC Music Teacher, I mentored many piano majors through their elective performances to Band 6 results, with one student ENCORE nomination in 2009.

I absolutely love private piano tutoring, and have returned to it with passion after 20+ years of classroom teaching. I especially appreciate being able to work closely with students and share my passion for and love of music. It is my goal to be able to assist each student to discover and develop their own musical gifting and talent and guide them on their own music journey, whether that be through working towards AMEB grades, playing for Stage 5 & 6 electives or learning how to play in a contemporary worship style for church or youth group.

With over 30 years of experience in music tuition, Rebekah Small is a passionate and versatile music educator with a deep love for all genres of music. Her career spans a wealth of expertise, from mainstream high school teaching and individual tuition in pianoforte and singing, to extensive performance experience across multiple instruments. Rebekah’s professional qualifications include an AMEB Pianoforte to Associate level, a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Western Sydney University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Composition from Sydney University. However, much of her musical growth has come from her practical experiences as a performer.

As a musician, Rebekah has performed in a variety of ensembles, including singing and playing in a pop covers band, jazz bands, and leading worship teams. Her personal music journey has seen her write and record an album of original songs, and she has also played woodwind and brass instruments in concert bands, as well as percussion in brass bands, at the national level. Rebekah has also led a Korean drumming group providing music appreciation workshops further showcasing her broad musical interests and her passion for lifelong learning.

As a mother to a family of grown young men, Rebekah has a natural empathy and understanding for working with children. She tailors each student’s program to not only develop their technical skills but also to foster a deeper expression and love for music, ensuring that they enjoy every step of their musical journey. Her approach emphasizes both the development of musicianship and a nurturing, individualized teaching style.

Please let us know if you have any questions. We appreciate your support and look forward to a fantastic year of music ahead!

James has been playing drums for the last 25 years and has been tutoring at various schools around the district for 10 years. He teachers a variety of styles such as rock, jazz, funk and latin. Not only do students learn co-ordination, dynamics, improvisation and sight reading, but also an appreciation and love of music is instilled in them through listening exercises, games and songs.

James not only has a long history of playing drums and other musical instruments, he also has a Bachelor of Music and Masters in Secondary Teaching, as well as continued development and experience with the ORFF music teaching methods.

James has played in a variety of musical ensembles from contemporary rock, punk, funk and folk bands, to playing percussion in the Sydney Wind Symphony.