Music Teachers' Association
of New South Wales

Margaret Brandman

Dr. Margaret Brandman has been teaching piano, musicianship, ear-training, theory, composition and improvisation in a distinguished career spanning over 40 years. Margaret is also a composer of works for voice, piano and instrumental ensembles. In addition she has devised her own 'Contemporary' series of holistic teaching materials, for piano, theory and ear-training. In 2003 she was selected by the International Biographical Society(UK)as International Woman of the Year for Services to Music. In 2012 she received the WPTA Diploma of Excellence for her presentation at the World Piano Teacher's conference in Serbia. Her clientele includes beginners, advanced students and teachers who attend her Professional Development workshops.

Combining her compositional interests with her interest in music education- Margaret has devised many music texts including :

* the Contemporary Piano Method and the supporting publication Pictorial Patterns for Keyboard Scales and Chords
* the Contemporary Theory and Chord Workbooks
* the Contemporary Aural Course (audio and workbook series) and
* the High School Text book - Accent on Music.

The educational materials feature a simplified interval approach to reading,combined with pattern recognition which allows students to become efficient readers in a very short time. (taking the hard work out of learning the piano!) The materials feature many accelerated learning techniques including the use of colour coding to simplify previously difficult topics. (Everyone enjoys this!) These techniques also enhance the ability of students to gain a harmonic understanding of all styles of music from classical to jazz and contemporary and to gain skills in ear-training. (This saves time and effort and allows the fingers to find the right notes by being guided by the ear).

Margaret has composed many original works to demonstrate points made in her music education materials. Several of her works are listed in both the AMEB and ANZCA syllabi as set works. Her concert works for piano-instrumental combinations and orchestra receive regular live and recorded performances internationally.

Phone for an appointment: 0414 185 193

Jillian Bridge

Andrea Calilhanna

Andrea Calilhanna

MMus, GradDipT (Mus), DipMus, LMusA, AMusA, MMTA, FCSME, MAAS

PhD Candidate, University of Adelaide

Andrea Calilhanna is an experienced music educator, researcher, and performer who has taught in studio and classroom settings since 1984. Based in Cherrybrook, her student-centred studio welcomes learners of all ages and levels—from five-year-old beginners to diploma candidates—whether preparing for exams or playing for personal enjoyment. She teaches piano, saxophone, musicianship, theory, composition, accompaniment, and HSC Music, focusing on strong foundations, confidence, and individual progress.

Andrea specializes in metre and rhythm pedagogy. Her doctoral research at the University of Adelaide examines metre basics through Ski-hill Graph Pedagogy, a contemporary approach inspired by Richard Cohn’s theoretical work. She has authored two books on the subject, Ski-hill Graph Pedagogy Meter Fundamentals (2024) and Clap, Tap and Map, which introduce accessible ways to understand metre beyond traditional time signatures.

She holds a Master of Music from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she also worked as a sessional academic. Andrea has presented her research internationally, served as a Visiting Fellow at the MARCS Institute, and is currently contributing a chapter to a Springer Nature book series on acoustics.

A long-standing member and former leader within the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW, Andrea also belongs to various professional societies spanning musicology, education, and acoustics. Her diverse background includes performing in chamber, choral, jazz, and popular music ensembles, as well as training pre-service teachers at several Queensland universities. She welcomes prospective students seeking expert, supportive music tuition that balances high academic standards with an encouraging learning environment.

Lesley Challender

Julie Chong

Samantha Coates

Samantha Coates is an internationally regarded piano pedagogue and presenter. In addition to running an active teaching studio, she is the creator and publisher of BlitzBooks, the music education series that has brought laughter and creativity to music theory, sight reading, and piano repertoire. Samantha’s sense of humour and ability to connect with students through her books and online resources reflect her ongoing dedication to making all areas of music accessible, enjoyable and memorable.

Samantha’s passion is holistic music education. She embraces a repertoire-rich and multi-skilled approach to piano, prioritising the teaching of vital skills such as improvisation, composition and ensemble playing – all of which allow for recreational music making in the future.

In 2017 Samantha suffered with tendonitis in her left arm, which was the catalyst for an overhaul of her technical approach to piano playing and consequently that of all her students. Her involvement with the Taubman approach to piano technique inspired her to develop an entire repertoire series (roterepertoire.com) dedicated to help students learn to sight-read in the context of pianistically ergonomic, comfortable and satisfying repertoire.

Samantha holds a Bachelor of Music degree (Sydney Conservatorium) as well as several performance diplomas. She is well known for her entertaining presenting style, and is regularly invited to speak at conferences around the world on a wide range of pedagogical topics. Samantha has never lost touch with what students want; she has been running her piano studio in Sydney for over three decades and is passionate about helping students to work towards the goal of a lifetime association and love of music.

In her spare time Samantha enjoys giving volunteer recitals in nursing homes, power walking along coastlines, watching Disney movies with her grown-up children, and eating dark chocolate 😊.