Meet Jackie.
How did it all begin?
Listening to her next door neighbour’s piano playing was what originally sparked Jackie's desire to begin her first piano lesson at the age of four.
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She discovered her passion for music in her primary school years and her immense love for the instrument was evident through her active participation in the school’s music program. She also performed solos frequently at concerts as well as with the school orchestra as both a pianist and cellist.
In the pursuit of music.
Her pianistic studies took a more serious turn when she began learning from Margaret Farren Price – where she sat her first AMEB grade 5 exam at the age of eight.
It was noted that she showed early promise in her playing when she completed her AMEB grade 8 by the age of thirteen; having acquired multiple awards for the Manningham Eisteddfod piano competition as a soloist in 2003 and 2005.
Jackie continued her piano lessons and took VCE music, where shortly after graduating, she was accepted into the Bachelor of Music in 2012 at the University of Melbourne.
With the encouragement of her parents and friends, Jackie took the opportunity during the years to apply herself to new challenges that were available at the Conservatorium, which included partaking in masterclasses with renowned pianists such as Ronald Farren-Price and Professor Ian Holtham.
Her years at the Conservatorium also led her to discover that she had the aptitude to play technically difficult pieces such as Ravel’s Une Barque sur L’Ocean, which she performed in her third year recital. She has also worked alongside with her fellow honours pianists to collaboratively promote and hold a free lunchtime concert in Melba Hall - 'Piano Showcase' in 2015.
Passion for teaching.
It was through her colleagues that she was able to experience teaching music to students for the first time at the Classic Arts School of Music in St Albans.
As she watched her students’ playing gradually grow from fumbling beginners - who knew little to nothing, to promising pianists, Jackie decided she would make it her ambition to become
a piano teacher.
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Alongside with teaching, she also developed a keen interest for accompanying where she often took the chance to participate in the Piano Accompanist Summer School courses that were held yearly - which she now applies this skill to accompany AMEB students in their exams.