We are a tight connected group of teachers at RMA.
Skilled teachers, accomplished musicians and also great people.
Angus Killick
Piano Teacher
Angus is a highly sought-after educator and provides a premium quality musical education centred on mastery of the piano. After majoring in piano through the Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Melbourne, and with a total 17 years of musical training, he has perfected the art of transferring a rounded musical education and a love of all music to his pupils.
Max Villella
Guitar Teacher
Max Villella is an Australian guitarist, composer, and improviser. He is well versed in a variety of styles of musical art forms. Performing in a number of ensembles and bands while also composing for film and other musical outlets, he works to celebrate the wealth and diversity of creative Australian musicians. He is deeply versed in Contemporary, Pop, Jazz and Blues styles. Max studied Jazz & Improvisation at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne.
Liam Furey
Piano Teacher
Liam Furey was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and first learnt piano at nine. After discovering classical music at eleven through Beethoven’s “Pathetique Sonata”, Liam was immediately inspired to pursue a life in classical music. Liam started lessons in piano and composition with Gillian Bibby in 2011, running with the foundations she provided. Liam garnered numerous prizes at local IRMT piano competitions, received the Senior Composition Prize for Chamber Music NZ's 2016 Secondary School Contest, and achieved the LMusNZ and LTCL (Distinction) Piano Diplomas in 2017. Liam began studying at the New Zealand School of Music (NZSM) in 2018, learning piano under Jian Liu and composition under Michael Norris. During this time, Liam was exposed to numerous internationally-acclaimed pianists, including Lars Vogt, Michael Endres and Deirdre Irons, and was a frequent prize-winner in the NZSM’s competitions for composition and New Zealand music. Liam’s proudest achievement in study was co-founding the still-active “Sounds of Te Kōkī” concert series in 2019, overseeing the premieres of over eighty works by NZSM students and alumni. In 2022, Liam graduated with a Bachelor of Music with First-class Honours in Classical Performance and Composition. Since then, Liam has taken on various solo and chamber projects. Most notably, Liam has been a two-time student at the Adam Festival’s Summer School in 2023 and 2024, returning to the Adam Festival as a performer and Composer-in-residence in 2026.
Liam has been studying at the Australian National Academy of Music’s (ANAM) since 2025, developing their skills as a pianist under the tutelage of Timothy Young. They have enjoyed the adventurous and risk-taking nature of ANAM, performing as a pianist, harpsichordist and celesta player, and incorporating improvisation into their practice.
Ben Lofthouse
Guitar Teacher
Ben started guitar at nine and was improvising in blues clubs by eleven. He holds a music performance degree from the Australian College of the Arts, where he majored in guitar and songwriting, and has been teaching guitar (as well as bass and drums) for more than a decade to students of all ages, levels and styles. Outside the school he writes and records with his band Scuff.
Ben is experienced at helping students reach concrete goals, including AMEB examinations, and once guided an initially struggling student to Top Class. He teaches a wide range of styles, from metal, funk and blues to hard rock, pop, reggae and classical, and looks forward to starting the musical journey with new students.
Olivia Mirrington
Singing Teacher
Liv (She/Her) has a passion for the power of music as a whole, with singing as a way to express and create. She has studied a Bachelor of Popular Music at Monash University, which combined performance with music production and songwriting. She approaches the voice with curiosity and care, and seeks to nurture each voice as its own.
Olivia is passionate about teaching you to apply the Estill Voice framework to your practice. This framework is famous for its flexibility, not molding the voice to one set of aesthetics, as it “applies its figures to everyday speaking, elite performance, and the treatment of injured voices”. Liv uses a range of tools to help you explore your own voice, such as movement integrated voice work, free improvisation and storytelling techniques.
Nitida Atkinson
Singing Teacher
Nitida is a melbourne based vocalist, composer and teacher. She graduated from of the Victorian College Of The Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Music. During her time at the VCA she studied under leading Australian musicians; Michelle Nicolle, Pip Grummet and Gian Slater. In 2015 Nitida undertook a mentorship in New Orleans learning from legendary members of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
With over 10 years experience in the music industry, Nitida is a well equipped teacher for all ages and levels. She has performed both nationally and internationally as a professional singer, backing vocalist, composer, guitarist, recording artist, singing teacher, choir conductor and band leader.
Nitida is a busy working musician, playing regularly in many projects spanning genres Pop, Jazz, Folk, Soul, Hip hop, etc.
Nitida is passionate about making the enjoyment and pleasure that singing brings available to all people by breaking down the barriers that often stop people from doing so.
Jock Pryse Jones
Singing Teacher
Jock Pryse Jones is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts. Jock is a lovely person and is passionate about making singing a natural and fun activity for everyone. Jock’s lessons focus on bringing out your natural voice and building your comfort with singing step by step in a comfortable creative way.
With a background from Folk, pop, to Blues and Jazz and beyond Jock also uses production software in his lessons. He supports students whether their goal is to build skills for performance or to simply reconnect with their voice and make singing a part of their life.
Liam Feury
Drum Teacher
Liam is an experienced drummer with a Bachelor of Music, where he studied with some of Australia’s most respected drum teachers. He loves any and all music, with a particular soft spot for rock and funk.
If a student has a song or a goal to work towards, Liam is always happy to help them get there, and to go beyond what they thought was possible. One of our most popular teachers with a schedule that is always almost full!
Bethany Weinert
Singing Teacher
Beth is a Bachelor of Music (Music Theatre) graduate with a strong passion for teaching and vocal development. With a strong understanding of vocal techniques across a wide range of styles and genres, she supports students in developing healthy, sustainable vocal habits while encouraging creativity, confidence, and individuality. Alongside her work as a voice teacher at RMA, Beth is completing a Master of Teaching (Primary and Secondary), specialising in Music, at Monash University, which she will finish in 2026.
Through this training, she is developing strong skills in music pedagogy, classroom practice, and supporting diverse learners. Beth loves creating a positive and encouraging learning environment where students feel comfortable to explore their voice, build confidence, and enjoy making music.
Mark Hartland van Driel
Piano Teacher
Mark is trained in both classical and jazz/improvised piano, bringing a mix of flexibility and fun to his lessons. He easily adapts to each student's unique style, goals, and musical interests. Mark recently graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS), where he achieved the Premier’s Award for Music Performance. He is currently continuing his advanced musical studies at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Mark is an active performer in Melbourne’s music community. You might catch him playing at the Melbourne Recital Centre, jamming at The Jazz Lab, or performing at local festivals. He is excited to help musicians of all ages and skill levels build confidence, find their voice, and achieve their personal best.
Luca Pascucci
Guitar Teacher
Luca studied Jazz and Improvisation at the Victorian College of the Arts, under the guidance of James Sherlock and Peter Petrucci, two of Australia’s foremost guitarists.
Alongside jazz and blues, Luca has a passion for pop, RnB, funk and soul, and is always keen to explore other styles with his students.
He is excellent at unlocking each student’s potential, shaping lessons around their individual ambitions and interests.
Olivia Hector
Vocalist and singing teacher
Olivia teaches the full breadth of contemporary voice. She trained in musical theatre and brings that discipline to her teaching, alongside a keen interest in pop, alternative, rock and singer-songwriter styles.
Whether you want to build vocal technique, develop performance skills or get to grips with theory, Olivia works with each student to take on new challenges and conquer them.
Above all, she is passionate about helping students explore their creativity freely and develop their own sound and musical perspective.
Vanessa Sindarto
Piano Teacher
Vanessa is a pianist, teacher, and accompanist based in Melbourne. She has been performing and teaching piano for several years and is currently completing a Bachelor of Music Performance at the University of Melbourne. She holds an ABRSM Diploma in Piano Performance and has experience performing both as a soloist and as part of an ensemble.
With a strong passion for supporting students’ musical development, Vanessa creates a positive and encouraging learning environment tailored to each student’s individual needs. Alongside her teaching, she remains actively engaged in performance and continues to pursue her career as a pianist.
Alex Roper
DRUM TEACHER
Alex been playing drums for 15 years and has a bachelor of music (majoring in drum kit) from the Victorian College of the Arts. She has been in bands across many genres and is an active performer in the live music scene in Melbourne.
Alex's passion is for performing and sharing the valuable information she has received over her years of training, with others.
To Alex, what makes an excellent drummer is the ability to maintain a steady tempo, being able to play a strong and fluent groove and having the ability to listen to people when playing in a group. Her teaching aims to provide students with a solid and broad basis to develop these and any specific skills a student wishes to learn, while creating an encouraging environment to learn in.
Her lessons cover material anywhere from technique, music reading, to playing rock beats and jazz solos. Alex is also passionate about encouraging all women and girls who are interested in learning the drums, to do so.
“Everything is dictated by the song. I love to work with songs that have a genuine message or idea. I base almost every production and arrangement decision on what the song is trying to say and what emotion its trying convey at that point, i think thats what people really connect with.”
“I love pop music and making records that really connect with people on an emotional level, but at the same time i get tired of monotony very easily so Im constantly searching for new and exciting ways of delivering music that people will love, in a way they’ve never heard.”
Levi Dowsett
Music Production and Recording Teacher
At age 28 Levi Dowsett has already performed at some of Australia's biggest venues including The Sidney Myer Music Bowl and Melbourne's iconic St Kilda Festival and has received critical acclaim from industry greats including Simon Raymond (Bella Union, UK) and Sebastian Chase (MGM) and Julian Mendelsohn. Levi has performed solo and in groups weekly for the past ten years throughout Melbourne's late night music scene and released on some of Australia's premier independent labels.
Only speeding up Levi is currently producing and remixing under the name Friends In Common while also being one half of the Australian Art Pop duo Kings and Commoners. The emerging act has seen great success in the past year and already having music performed at the 5th IMC World Music Forum in Brisbane and at Woodford Folk Festival in collaboration with Deep Blue Orchestra and has an Ep scheduled for release .
Levi has developed a sound and style of his own combined of his influences of Jazz, Pop, Electronic Music, Art Rock, Folk, Minimalism and Music Concréte. Levi blends these influences to create unique Artistic Pop Music. Growing up performing Folk, Rock and Blues Levi has always valued the power of Music that has something to say.
Making the transition to the studio after a chance early encounter with Ableton Live Levi developed a love for the manipulation of sound through new and old techniques. Embracing tape machines and vintage recording equipment along with cutting edge digital techniques Levi is constantly using contrast to create new exciting music.
Levi is currently based in Melbourne, Australia and is teaching Music Technology, Production, Audio Engineering and Sound design for film, Tv and Video games at Richmond Music Academy. Levi holds a Bachelor of Applied Music and a Master of Fine Arts.
Joshua Miles
Head of Early Childhood Programs
Joshua is a graduate of the University of Melbourne, with a Bachelors of Early Childhood Education. Currently Josh works as a teacher and team leader at Dame Nellie Melba Kindergarten, Richmond. Joshua began playing music from a very early age. He gained a lifelong passion for music which continues to define his teaching philosophy.
As an educator, Joshua recognises the benefits children gain from an inclusive musical program. In partnership with Richmond Music Academy, Joshua is in charge of developing and supervising our early years music program for schools, kindergarten and instrumental lessons. Using his experience as a teacher and musician Joshua provides guidance and support to Richmond Music Academy's early years music lessons and holiday workshops.
Sanghoon Lee
Learning Coordinator
With a background in classical, jazz and composition Sanghoon is in a prime position to assist every student with the individual needs required to make the best choices for their own learning journey. We are privileged to have Sanghoon’s’ help.
Sanghoon has studied with international artists such as Dan Robertson and has studied composition at the Melbourne conservatory of music.
Michael Avery
Director
Michael Avery, is a graduate of Melbourne University and The Victorian College of the arts where he majored in classical guitar. He has a broad interest in music from contemporary to classical. He has played in a variety of bands including Melbourne's own 'World's End Press'. As a teacher, he specialises in classical guitar.
Creating a great atmosphere for students and teachers and a supportive environment for teaching and learning music has been the primary goal for the academy from day one. Many years later, it is heartwarming to see how the school has flourished and a strong community has developed around this core principles of the school.
As an Alexander Technique teacher Michael is very active in the performing arts world. He has lectured and run workshops at the The Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne University, Ballarat University and 16th Street Actors studio. As an Alexander Technique teacher, he is known for his refined observation skills, clarity of communication and unique, simple approach.