The Scheme
The Music Tutor Scheme (MTS) has been providing the opportunity for music tuition to students at Arawang Primary since 1998 through the P & C Association. For the many children who have participated over that time it has been a rich and fulfilling addition to their education at Arawang. There are currently about 60 students enrolled in the scheme, with our two guitar tutors, two piano tutors and flute/fife tutor.
MTS Committee
The Music Tutor Scheme operates under the auspices of the Arawang P&C Association with the generous support of the school, enabling students to receive private lessons from professional qualified teachers during school hours. A volunteer P & C sub-committee oversees operation of the MTS managing enrolments, waiting lists, collecting P&C administrative fees from tutors ($5 per student per month), promoting the scheme through newsletters and other channels, organising the annual concert and coordinating other performances. MTS committee meetings are generally held once per term. The current MTS committee is: Holly Russell (convenor), Steven Hall (Secretary), Michael Sexton (Treasurer). The committee is supported by additional parent representatives (ordinary members).
Additional members are most welcome - please get in touch!
MTS Enrolment
To enrol a child in the Music Tutor Scheme, please complete the Arawang MTS Application Form which contains MTS terms and conditions and student details form. Completed forms can be emailed to: arawangpandcmts@gmail.com. A confirmation email will be sent when the student has been placed on the waitlist. While the waitlist is small, times are varied, depending on the instrument.
MTS fees
The Music Tutor Scheme engages qualified and committed music tutors who provide private lessons to a professional standard. The exact fee level is set by individual tutors, subject to a maximum cap agreed by the Committee.
The Scheme also collects from tutors a small administrative fee of $5 per student per term. This fee goes towards upkeep of pianos, assorted minor administrative costs, student awards, and a music-related donation presented to the school at the annual concert in acknowledgement of its support.
Performances
Each year, a music tutor scheme concert is held for parents and friends towards the end of term 3, giving the students experience in performing for an audience. The evening is split into junior and senior performance groups and this is one of the best attended after hours functions in the school year!!
Additional MTS student performances are scheduled throughout the year in school assemblies and at the Arawang Pre-School, to provide the MTS students further opportunities to showcase their wonderful talents!
Contact details
Email: arawangpandcmts@gmail.com
Click here for an application form:2023 Parent Agreement
Our MTS Tutors
A short introduction to our MTS tutors is below. We’re fortunate to have such a dedicated and high calibre team.
Matt Lustri - Guitar
Matt holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours from the ANU School of Music, where he studied jazz guitar and composition. He plays in several local bands and has been teaching guitar since 2007. Matt loves to play and teach all styles of music and is committed to working with every student’s own interests and inspirations. He offers a warm and patient approach that facilitates students' ability to reach for their strengths in a supportive and encouraging way.
Kieran Roberts - Guitar
Kieran is a graduate of the Canberra School of Music and as well as guitar, plays and teaches keyboard, drums, bassoon and singing. He is a conductor and composer, an audio-technician and has a number of CDs to his credit. As well as being a working musician in rock bands he has worked with organisations such as Canberra Symphony Orchestra. He teaches in a number of schools and has his own studio called Moment Music.
Jodie Petrov - Flute
Jodie holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) from the Queensland Conservatorium and a Master of Creative Arts (Music) from the Newcastle Conservatorium. For over 25 years she has taught in Sydney and now Canberra, and regularly tutors for the Canberra Youth Orchestra. She has had students with a wide range of interests and abilities, and enjoys finding a way to make learning enjoyable for every student. Jodie also performs regularly and is currently a member of the National Capital Orchestra and the Aeolus Trio.
Olga Hamnett - Piano
Olga has been learning piano since she was 5 years old. She graduated from the Mussorgsky Conservatory of Music with Honours in piano. Olga has been engaged for many years as the pianist for the Queanbeyan Public School choirs, performing at local and regional concerts as well as Eisteddfods including Australian National Eisteddfod, Goulburn Eisteddfod and Sydney Festivals. Olga also runs her own own piano studio “Maestro“. She teaches students who wish to play for leisure as well as students who wish to undertake exams through the Australian Music Examinations Board. Olga has a passion for music which she loves to share with her students.
Rose Holcombe – Piano
Rose holds a Bachelor of Music and a Graduate Diploma in Piano Performance from the ANU Canberra School of Music. She has taught piano from her own studio and at various primary schools in Canberra, including Marist, Yarralumla Primary, Canberra Christian School, Canberra Girls Grammar, Holy Trinity, Torrens Primary and Taylor Primary. Rose has extensive experience as an accompanist, and has played for many choirs (including the Woden Valley Youth choir and Radford Camerata). She regularly accompanies instrumentalists and singers for exams, eisteddfods and recitals, including the Canberra International Music Festival. Rose has a gentle and supportive approach to teaching and finds great fulfillment in helping students achieve their musical goals.