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Hi everyone, a quick update about Guitar / Bass / Ukulele lessons for next term - After just over 7 fun-filled years of teaching with us, Mitch will be finishing up at the end of this term to move down to Melbourne to pursue his music career. I am so thankful for everything he has done at Music with Charlie and wish him every success in this new adventure! While it is of course sad to say goodbye, I am confident you will find an extremely skilled, encouraging and patient mentor in the brilliant Simrat, who will be taking over Guitar, Bass and Ukulele teaching duties at Music With Charlie. Read more about Simrat in her bio below. Free trials are available to everyone, either; > Before the end of this term on a Wednesday, or > In Term 2 on a Wednesday or Friday If you would like to arrange something within either of these options to come and meet / trial with Simrat, please just let me know and we’ll get you booked in. Please note there are still 2 weeks remaining with Mitch before we break for Easter holidays. I am also in the process of interviewing for the next addition to our Guitar teaching team with a view to increasing availability, stay tuned for updates in that department. I would like to take this opportunity to once again offer Mitch my heartfelt gratitude for all the bubbly and supportive lessons, early starts, and long commutes. We have been so lucky to have him, and I can’t wait to see where this new chapter leads him! Wishing you all a relaxing rest of term 1 and easter break, Many thanks - Sarah ~Simrat~ Castle Hill & Online With over 14 years of training in Classical Guitar, Simrat is a professional and result-driven educator who promises the element of fun while learning important techniques and concepts in her classes. She has an ATCL Diploma from Trinity College London with over 6 years of experience teaching ukulele and acoustic, electric and classical guitar, as well as bass. Her enthusiasm for teaching music as well as her knowledge and proficiency in music pedagogy allows her to easily relate and connect with her students, ranging in age from seven to seventy. Simrat’s teaching style is warmly energetic, encouraging and open-minded, with the aim for her students to ultimately become self-directed learners. While her preferred genres are classical, jazz and rock, she loves to explore different music with her students, ensuring that they find what they are looking for, and discover their passion for music.

Hi everyone, Term 2 (26th April - 1st July) with Simrat is now open for enrolment. If you haven't already, please let me know if you'd like to book, and if you'd like any changes to scheduling. Simrat teaches on Thursday and Friday afternoons and evenings, and Thursday afternoons. I am also attaching our FAQ's and booking type options, please have a peruse at your leisure. Thanks, - Sarah

Hi everyone, Term 2 (26th April - 1st July) with Crystal is now open for enrolment, please let me know if you'd like to book, and if you'd like any changes to scheduling. Crystal teaches on Thursdays, if you require a different day please get in touch so we can chat about teacher options. I am also attaching our FAQ's and booking type options, please have a peruse at your leisure. Thanks, - Sarah

Hi everyone, Term 2 (26th April - 1st July) with Cath is now open for enrolment, please let me know if you'd like to book, and if you'd like any changes to scheduling. Cath teaches Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in the evenings, and Saturdays during the day. She will be unavailable on Tuesday the 13th of June, which will be automatically left off your invoice if your lesson falls on a Tuesday. I am also attaching our FAQ's and booking type options, please have a peruse at your leisure. Thanks, - Sarah

Term 1 bookings are now open for Crystal - her dates will be Monday the 2nd Feb - Thursday the 6th April. Please let me know if you’d like to book in, and if you want any scheduling changes. Term 1 is going to bring (hopefully, details TBC) many more performance opportunities including student concerts and eisteddfodau ranging from friendly community fun day out, to serious music competition. Wishing the best of luck to those preparing for exams, remember to keep playing over the break :)

Term 1 bookings are now open for Mitchell - his dates will be Friday the 27th Jan - Thursday the 6th April. Please let me know if you’d like to book in, and if you want any scheduling changes. Please note for those interested in piano and guitar on the same day, this option is now available on Fridays as well as Saturdays. Term 1 is going to bring (hopefully, details TBC) many more performance opportunities including student concerts and eisteddfodau ranging from friendly community fun day out, to serious music competition. Wishing the best of luck to those preparing for exams, remember to keep playing over the break :) If anyone has yet to use their creative kids vouchers for this year we still have a couple of days to do it! Just send me the voucher number and student date of birth, and we will put it on file to come off next term’s invoice. Wishing you all a restful summer, - Sarah

Term 1 bookings are now open for Matthew - his dates will be Tuesday the 31st Jan - Thursday the 6th April. Please let me know if you’d like to book in, and if you want any scheduling changes. Term 1 is going to bring (hopefully, details TBC) many more performance opportunities including student concerts and eisteddfodau ranging from friendly community fun day out, to serious music competition. Wishing the best of luck to those preparing for exams, remember to keep playing over the break :) If anyone has yet to use their creative kids vouchers for this year we still have a couple of days to do it! Just send me the voucher number and student date of birth, and we will put it on file to come off next term’s invoice. Wishing you all a restful summer, - Sarah To get $100 off, apply for a creative kids voucher here - https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher

Term 1 bookings are now open for strings and piano with Cath - her dates will be Monday the 30th Jan - Thursday the 6th April. Please let me know if you’d like to book in, and if you want any scheduling changes. Term 1 is going to bring (hopefully, details TBC) many more performance opportunities including student concerts and eisteddfodau ranging from friendly community fun day out, to serious music competition. Wishing the best of luck to those preparing for exams, remember to keep playing over the break :) I have a vague / rough plan to start looking at some sort of ensemble performance for the next student concert, if anyone is interested in this, just let me know - we’ll see where the idea goes in Jan & Feb. If anyone has yet to use their creative kids vouchers for this year we still have a couple of days to do it! Just send me the voucher number and student date of birth, and we will put it on file to come off next term’s invoice. Wishing you all a restful summer, - Sarah

Eric recently sat his 3rd grade AMEB piano exam and passed with flying colours! He received honours, receiving an A as well as a slew of praise and encouraging comments from AMEB examiner Peggy Shen, LMusA, LTCL, MCrMusTh, BMusBEd, AMusA. His technical work, site reading and general knowledge were "accurate and well prepared", and overall he presented a "musical and well prepared programme, demonstrating good stylistic awareness and musicality." His Midnight Ride was "rhythmically played with reliable and clear finger work", in Spanish Dance he demonstrated a "Tango style carefully studied and understood," and his "good attention to score detail was appreciated". He finished off his programme with the stunning I Dreamed a Dream, which was played with a "musical tone and awareness of expressive shaping and phrasing." Of note also were his exceptional finger legato and well aligned hands. Congratulations Eric, can't wait to see what you tackle next!

Cayden has recently completed his Grade 4 piano exam, passing with Honours ( receiving an A!) Cayden has shown consistent hard work over the years and continues to reap the rewards of all that practice. He received near perfect results in his scales and sight reading, and his general knowledge showed good preparation. He presented a programme full of Bach, all of which received high praise. His Prelude was played "musically with a good tone, and clarity of finger work," and his "melodic contours were clearly shaped with a clear sense of direction". Particular note was given to his accuracy, fluency, and awareness of expressive shaping in his Jesus bleibet meine Freunde, as well as his "carefully controlled tonal production", "well aligned hands" and "dynamic shading" which laid the groundwork for "a well polished performance of his Gavotte. Overall it was remarked that he demonstrates confidence and plays with much musicality. Many thanks must also go to his marvellous teacher Emily, who has guided him through many exams to date. Congratulations Cayden and best of luck for the next one!

Congratulations everyone on a fabulous year! To round it off we will be presenting one last student recital on the 18th Dec at 1pm and 2pm at Wesley Church Castle Hill in the Friendship Room. There are 2 separate sessions so that we can have more room to spread out and be covid safe, and nice quick run times for audience members. I encourage all students at every level to take part if they are at all interested, performance really develops you as an artist like nothing else. Think 10 practice sessions in one, where everyone applauds you at the end! It's also a great way to prepare for an exam or other audition; "I know I can do this because I've done it before!" is immensely valuable. Registration is via the student portal; https://www.musicwithcharlie.com.au/student-login Simply navigate to the 18th of Dec, choose which session you wish to perform in, click register, click yes. There are limited spaces in each section so if you have a strong preference do register sooner rather than later. Please let me know once you know what pieces you'll be presenting; - Student name as you would like to see it on the programme - Title(s) - Composer(s) - Instrument(s) - special requirements Tickets To keep things running smoothly and efficiently, we will only be selling tickets by pre-purchase via the same banking details you use for lesson payments. This will limit delays at the door both at the start, and at changeover time. We will not be selling tickets at the door, please ensure you have purchased before the day. Performers are free, audience members over 3 years old will be $10 each. Please simply send $10 x the number of audience members you are bringing. I will have a door list on the day with the number of tickets pre purchased & what name they're under for fast entry. Parking There are several entry points and parking areas, with access via either Showground road or Werthing Ave. The address is 32-34 Showground Rd, Castle Hill NSW 2154. Please be mindful not to park anyone in when choosing your space, this will be particularly important as we have people both arriving AND leaving at the midway point. I absolutely cannot wait to see all of your wonderful performances, and hope you have an amazing day!

Viaan has been learning with Matthew since April this year, and has absolutely flourished. He recently sat his first ever piano exam at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and was examined by none other than Lynette Morgan, who is both a member of the board for the AMEB, and holds a BA, DipEd, AMusA, and a TMusA. Viaan presented The Cuckoo, Tittle -Tattle, and Here comes the Caravan. His musical literacy, dynamics and counting were pinpointed as areas of particular strength, not to mention his musical expression, which was very highly praised. Well done indeed Viaan, and good luck as you undertake you preparations for the next one!