They are the cornerstone of the school. All the teachers are musicians who perform professionally whilst juggling teaching and other gigs. In addition to being incredibly talented, they are all fantastic with children. The teachers are the reason that Einsteinz Music is successful in teaching children music, in a fun and informal environment.

Matt Steffen
Jule Ann-Glur
Wayne Tritton
Natalie Morrison
Rosie Tritton
Paul McEvoy
Chris Roberts
Rob Shannon
Chris Kay

There was never any doubt that Matt was going to be musically gifted as he was born into a musical family. His father and brother already played the guitar, so at 13 years of age Matt learnt the bass guitar, joining his first band and doing his first gig at the ripe old age of 14!
Matt started playing the double bass at 14 and discovered classical music, doing his first
professional gig at 17.

He attended the Canberra School of Music (ANU) from 1990-1994, studying double bass, majoring in performance. At the same time he still played in bands and taught double bass.
Moving to Sydney in 1995, he took on freelance classical work, some of the highlights of which were with the Opera and Ballet Orchestra, The Brandenburg Orchestra, Phantom of
the Opera (over 80 shows), Miss Saigon as well as many one-off events such as playing in the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) on their Australian tour.
At the end of the ‘90s he headed back towards bands, playing in
electric string group Coda from 1996 – 2003, as well as The New Acoustic
Collective (with fellow Einsteinz Music teacher Rob Shannon) and his own band Royal Deluxe.
With Coda, Matt was an ARIA award nominee in 2001 and was also involved in the Musica Viva in Schools program doing over 600 shows at primary schools and some high schools across NSW.
He then branched into the area of improvisation, forming an improv dance/ music group 6’3” with his partner Emma, another dancer and Rob Shannon.
He’s been teaching at Einsteinz Music for 18 months and loves it because he’s passionate about music and thinks that everyone should be able to enjoy it. “Sometimes things are easier to enjoy when you have a basic
understanding of what they're about”, Matt says about teaching music.

“I feel music should be an integral part of education and development and in a broader long term sense I feel it makes for a more peaceful, compassionate and intelligent society, something that Australia and the world should be striving towards.”

He tells a story of an Einsteinz Music mum who was so excited because her young daughter had begun to clap in time in the week between classes and her general co-ordination had improved immensely since beginning the classes.
Another story he loves to tell is about a couple of his students putting on little concerts on the weekends for their family and friends, taking on the role of teacher, and teaching everyone the songs and actions just as he taught them in class.
Matt is currently playing with Decoder Ring who won a gamut of awards (including an AFI) for their soundtrack to the Australian Film ‘Somersault’.
In addition he is also doing sessions for other people’s albums, teaching double bass, pouring beer at the Hopetoun Hotel in Surry Hills, (one of Sydney’s oldest live music venues), teaching Einsteinz Music classes and writing and recording material for a release of his own songs in 2005!

Music was always prominent in Julie-Ann’s life, growing up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. She spent some time in Europe in 1992, performing at cafes in Paris and London before heading back home and settling up North in Angourie, a small coastal town. There she spent four years writing and playing music in a band.

She presented a music program featuring new and local talent on Public Radio and also presented a children’s program called ‘Green Eggs and Bacon’, (which was then aired nationally). As an extension of the radio program she started her music teaching career – teaching a class in music appreciation, before moving back to Sydney in 1996.

As well as writing her own songs, (one of her songs, ‘Prism’, has been used as a theme song in a local short film), Julie-Ann is a consummate performer, showing her versatility through many different styles of music:

Jules is a busy lady – teaching 3 mornings a week for Einsteinz Music, giving private guitar tuition and performing her original folk-styled material at venues around NSW.

As soon as she heard about Einsteinz Music, Jules wanted to be a part of the school, joining the teaching staff 18 months ago. Jules loves children and gets personal satisfaction watching them learn, grow and develop and seeing them absorb the amount they do week after week.

Jules says: “Teaching and connecting with children helps me to maintain the child within myself. It helps me to remain open to that beautiful energy and innocence that continues to inspire me!”

Wayne began his musical career learning to play… the RULER! Truly! Wayne had an enthusiastic, music-loving Year 3 primary school teacher, who, believing in the power of music as a great educational tool, decided all her students should learn to play the recorder. Lacking enough resources for the entire class, those without were instructed to draw “finger-holes” on their rulers and play along that way until such time as they could procure an instrument for themselves. Wayne still plays to this day.

The recorder led to the clarinet in the school band, then to the organ and then later, the guitar. Leaving his hometown of Brisbane in 1986 for Sydney, Wayne has been playing professionally ever since in various bands, both his own and others. He was a long time member (guitarist/vocalist) of the twice ARIA nominated Dave Steel and the Roadside Prophets, releasing 3 albums and an EP, and as the guitarist for ARIA winner Margot Smiths’ band.

Wayne also plays the harmonica and the mandolin, and is an accomplished singer and songwriter, having released an EP and an album of his own material. He plays regularly around Sydney and the south coast with his acoustic duo littlebob, who will release a CD later this year.

Last year Wayne’s wife Rosie, became an Einsteinz teacher. “Rosie came home after her first teaching class, and was positively bursting with enthusiasm and passion for what she was doing, and it was contagious. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, so I went along to watch a few classes, to see if it was something I could do. One session was all it took!! Seeing the kids having so much fun and PARTICIPATING in the actual class really impressed me, and it was obvious the teachers themselves were having fun. I was hooked!! THIS is what music should be about for kids: not endless repetitive scales and pressure to perform; just joining in, singing along, getting to bash on a drum, shake some shakers, and run and jump around so music becomes something they associate with having fun as well as learning. I walked away with a big smile on my face and knew that this was something I REALLY wanted to do.”

Einsteinz Music is delighted to welcome back Natalie Morrison to its’ teaching staff. Nat taught with Einsteinz Music in 2003, before the birth of her third child in 2004. She is mother to three children aged 2, 5 and 8.

Although primarily known as a double bass player, Natalie started her music studies at the age of 8 on a classical guitar and graduated at the age of 17 with an A.S.C.M. In High School she took up the Bass, studying under the great classical double bassist Jon Grey. In 1986 Natalie joined the North Sydney Orchestra.

Natalie’s first job out of High School was as a qualified piano tuner at the NSW State Conservatorium of Music. Nat then completed her Associate Diploma in Jazz Studies from the Conservatorium.

Nat has performed and recorded with many famous musicians including James Moody, Bob Barnard, Ian Date, James Morrison, Ian Cooper, Monica Trapaga and Don Burrows, to name a few. She has even recorded with The Wiggles, on their “Hoop De Do – It’s a Wiggly Party” CD and played the tuba, banjo and double bass for their concerts’ backing tracks.

She currently is a regular member of the Opera House Baby Proms Orchestra and also writes children’s music for schools.

“What I love about teaching children is their honesty and enthusiasm – it is very refreshing!" Einsteinz Music enables me to have a personal approach and to develop friendships with the children I see every week at class.”

Rose is quite unique as she is a qualified Speech Pathologist, is very experienced at working with children, has a diploma in Creative and Expressive Arts – and plays the ukulele! Rose is a very vibrant addition to our teaching staff and has already enchanted all the parents and children she has met.

Rose is very excited about joining Einsteinz Music as a teacher and loves watching children moving in time to music. “I can’t think of a more satisfying way to combine my love of music with the desire to help children learn”.

Rose graduated from Sydney University in 2001 with a Bachelors Degree in Speech Pathology and began practising speech pathology working for the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) specialising in the area of disability. She has worked with a range of clients from 2 year olds to adults with disabilities such as Autism, Downs Syndrome, Kabuki Syndrome and Developmental Delay in a variety of settings (home, pre-school and centre based).

Rose is now working part time for Revesby Speech Pathology and also has experience working with children that have difficulties with articulation (speech sounds), dysfluency (stuttering), language learning and attention. She enjoys using sign language and music within her therapy sessions when it is appropriate.

Rose also has an Associated Diploma in Creative and Expressive Arts and has always enjoyed singing and performing.

In 2000 she met her husband Wayne (a professional musican) who encouraged her to continue to pursue her musical interests. Rose began learning the ukelele in 2002 and now performs regularly with her husband at various venues around Sydney. She also began learning the acoustic bass guitar last year.

Paul's musical journey began at the age of five when he taught himself "the Little Drummer boy" on his Dad's home-built organ. Since then he has followed his passion through many incarnations., from Bush band and Indonesian Gamelan Orchestra to Electric Bass in a World Music band. Paul has always been keen to try his hand at any instrument, at anytime.

Between classes with Einsteinz music, Paul is studying Music Therapy at the University of Technology, Sydney. Music Therapy is about using music to enhance social interaction, allow deep personal expression and develop a sense of well being. "Music Therapy works because we all have that connection to music in us. It's a primal and powerful force. And it's fun too," Paul comments.

At Paul's classes you may hear the sounds of the Ukulele, Didgeridoo, or the African Balafon, (which is a pentatonic Xylophone). There will always be something different in class, to add a sense of play and open up the world of music. "I like to give children ownership of the music. We make the music together & everyone is acknowledged for being musical."

Paul likes to describe himself as a "kitchen Musician" and he is still playing pots and pans at 40. Now he plays with his two sons, Jarrah and Alex, both graduates of Einsteinz Music classes. Jarrah started with Rob at Leichhardt five years ago and loved it almost as much as his Dad. Alex, now four years old, is still an enthusiastic participant.

Chris grew up listening to his father’s stunning tenor voice soaring in churches, and being serenaded to sleep by his dad’s barbershop quartet practising 4-part harmonies in his home weeknights.  His granddad was a professional jazz pianist.

At the age of 7, Chris asked to learn the piano, on his stipulated condition that he not have to do it through the exam system – he’d already seen kids losing their enthusiasm and creativity, practicing their set pieces for the whole year – so he happily played his way unimpeded through the classical repertoire by the age of 12.

By age 13, Chris’s teacher was mooting a concert pianist career.  By 1979 he was the opening act and regular entertainer for the new Toucan café in Glebe Point Rd, singing and playing piano and guitar.

On the way through Chris also learnt harmonica, organ, clarinet and saxophone.

In the end though, Chris was drawn more to the healing arts, and worked in various health-related disciplines, mainly as a Counsellor for the last 20 years.

Chris comes to the Einsteinz Music position as a parent of girls aged 5 and 2, with whom he’s sat in on classes now for 4 ½ years.  He’s very consciously tapped the rhythm and beat into their little bodies, and sung to them, from the day they were born. 

Chris loves the idea of children attending music and movement classes, and of surrounding them with music from a young age -- whether they’re apparently listening or not!  He feels it a shame our culture has less pervasive ‘street-level’ music surrounding our children than it might.

He believes this early exposure to music, movement and “the beat”, is profoundly beneficial for them in life.   He believes this stimulates emotional expression and communication, not to mention the love of music, and the resultant body-instilled empowerment to produce it and express themselves musically throughout their lives.

“I’m very excited to be returning to a more musical phase of my life, especially through such a fun and satisfying avenue as teaching music classes for young kids!”

Rob is one of Sydney’s more colourful musicians; his musical palate encompasses many styles and traditions. As a young child he played drum kit, in many bands, moving to Sydney (from central west NSW) at age 16, to pursue a career as a professional musician.

Along this path he studied classical theory via Trinity College London. He completed his exams with credits and then flew to India and fell madly in love with Hindustani (North Indian) classical music and commenced his studies in this music, namely tabla (drums).
Based in New Delhi, he lived and learnt with his teacher Shree Gladwin Charles. He learnt in the tradional Gurukal (teacher/ student) system, a rare honour for a western student. These studies spanned almost a decade.
Realising the limited options available to performers in Australia, Rob took up the guitar professionally, playing various styles of Jazz, including Gypsy and Popular.
He led the band ‘The Straight Back Fellows’ for 5 years, as well as playing tabla for ‘Heval’, (a Kurdish/ Indian fusion band). He now leads his own band ‘Arabesque’, who perform regularly around Sydney.

Rob has been teaching with Einsteinz Music for four years, since June 2001. Teaching little children music has proved to be one of his bigger challenges to date.
His favourite moment was years ago when a little student challenged him on the drums in front of all the other kids and parents. “The challenge was most impressive, with the little man copying me note for note”, Rob mused. “The parents just stood there with their mouths agape. I know he will go on to be a great musician – if he wants to be.”

As a professional musician Rob loves teaching the children. He feels it is “a great way to address certain cultural inadequacies in Australia, being a basic lack of understanding and appreciation of the arts”. Rob’s goal as a teacher is “ …to give the children, as well as the parents and carers, a little insight into the working of music – and a chance to share it together.”

Although Rob has now re-located to Bathurst with his family, he will be returning to run collaborative programs with Einsteinz Music, including holiday workshops.

Growing up in country NSW, Chris Kay always loved music, and began his first foray into performance at the age of ten when he joined the school rock band as a vocalist. He started playing guitar at the age of eleven and studied at the local conservatorium. At school, he played in a guitar ensemble, various blues and rock bands and a small jazz combo, exhibiting his talent at a variety of music styles. In High School Chris received the Tamworth Conservatorium’s Sir Neville Chamberlain award for guitar achievement.

On a working holiday in the UK in 2001, he played regular gigs in the Cornish town of St Ives. Back in Australia in 2002, he undertook a Diploma of Contemporary Music, took up bass and began writing and producing his own music. He even built the necessary studio equipment to explore his growing interest in music production.

Chris spent 2004 playing around Brisbane in a duo called ‘Hiwateroots’ and then added drums to his ever-growing list of instruments.  He also commenced a Combined Degree in Contemporary Music and Education (he has two units remaining to complete this Bachelors Degree). At this time he played with a variety of musicians, including playing bass for the local conservatorium big band.

He currently plays in Sydney with a duo called ‘Quaser’ and has other projects in the works. His greatest pleasure comes from playing, writing and producing music. He loves his time on the mat with Einsteinz Music as he “has been studying music education for a while, so obviously I see the value in it, especially when children are young. Little kids are great fun to be around because they are ‘in the moment’. I especially enjoy what Einsteinz Music is doing as we are teaching ‘real music’ with real songs, not only nursery rhymes. I love that we are exposing the children to music and songs from other cultures – and they are so receptive to it!”  His joy at joining the Einsteinz music team is very obvious to the parents, who are enjoying his easy-going nature and rapport with the children.