meet the teachers
Our team of professional musicians at Einsteinz Music specialize in teaching music classes to toddlers, babies, and preschoolers. Our teachers have a great rapport with children, creating an informal and dynamic environment that is age-appropriate. We focus on teaching through “doing” and sharing music, giving each child a solid musical foundation while having fun! Parents, carers, nannies, and grandparents have all raved about this approach over the years. Meet our team of talented and experienced musicians:
claire steele
Teacher
Claire grew up on the mid-north coast of NSW and was exposed to music from an early age. Her father, an accomplished guitarist played frequently around the home, and Claire remembers attending numerous gigs growing up, watching him play bass guitar in local jazz bands.
From the age of 8, Claire began piano lessons in classical repertoire and continued these throughout her schooling life. She was a member of the high school band for many years, playing trumpet, clarinet and saxophone, but piano remained her primary focus.
After school she attended the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, obtaining a Bachelor of Music in Performance. Whilst at the Con, she performed in numerous chamber and vocal ensembles, including performances for Opera Hunter, and was the accompanist for the Conservatorium’s Early Childhood Music Choir.
Claire went on to further study, receiving a Diploma of Education in Primary Teaching.
After time spent teaching in Sydney, both private piano tuition and primary teaching in schools, Claire moved to the USA where she lived for almost 9 years. During this time, she taught piano privately, and worked as Music Director for a local theatre group that specialised in musical theatre for primary aged school children.
After returning to Australia with a young family, Claire realised how much she enjoyed playing and singing to her children, and decided to pursue opportunities in early childhood music. Starting teaching with Einsteinz Music in March 2015, was a perfect fit.
“Seeing children engage with music in such a hands-on way is extremely rewarding”.
alli butler
Teacher
Alli Butler is a singer-songwriter, comedian, actor, director and producer. Originally growing up on farm in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia, she moved to Sydney to attend The Journey Program at The Actors Centre Australia which she completed in 2005. Alli has subsequently appeared in television, musicals, cabaret, and theatre.
She has performed as a singer in many soloist contexts as well as bands, and she has played premiere venues Australia wide as a stand-up comedian. Her original song ‘Fire in my Heart’ was a semi-finalist in the Unsigned Only music competition and Alli’s recent one woman show, 40 Year Old Popstar, was nominated for Best in Musical Theatre and Cabaret at the 2022 Sydney Fringe Festival.
Alli has also worked for many years as a registered nurse but in 2018 decided to leave nursing behind for good and started a music school in WA, in the regional town she grew up in, teaching guitar, piano and singing lessons, predominantly to school aged children. She also ran music classes for toddlers which included singing and playing original songs on guitar she had written specifically for the toddler age group.
Alli is excited to be joining the Einsteinz Music team to share the joy of music with kids who have innate curiosity and openness. She sees music as an essential part of the human experience and couldn’t think of a better start to children’s education.
“I love the sensory approach Einsteinz Music has in their classes, allowing the kids to play the drums, dance, move and sing, tapping into their natural instincts and allowing their individual personalities to shine.”
patrick newton
Teacher
Patrick’s journey with music began at a young age, with fond memories of harmonizing to Beatles songs during family road trips. Growing up in a small town south of Sydney, he embarked on his musical journey by learning the clarinet at the age of six.
Throughout his school years, Patrick immersed himself in music, playing in concert bands and jazz bands. At the age of 12, he picked up the guitar, adding a new dimension to his musical repertoire. After high school Patrick taught private guitar lessons to primary school children and ran the school choir.
Patrick is currently studying a Bachelor of Music Education majoring in Music at the Sydney Conservatorium. Outside of studying Patrick is deeply involved in Sydney’s music scene, playing in various bands across the city. His passion for music extends beyond performance, as he finds joy in sharing his love for music with others, especially young people.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Patrick recognizes the profound impact of early exposure to music on children:
“I’m passionate about the engagement and enrichment that music brings to young minds. Whether or not they pursue music in the future, the social and educational benefits of Einsteinz Music classes are immeasurable”.
kat katchalova
Teacher
Kat is a multifaceted artist and musician with a passion for all forms of expression. Born in Sydney with a rich Russian heritage, her creative journey began early in toddler music classes. These classes planted a love for creativity that guided her toward a diverse artistic career, including work as a film designer, visual artist, costume maker, and dancer, all of which have enriched her musical endeavors.
Music has been a constant presence in Kat’s life – in high school, she achieved Grade 7 in piano and was an active member of choirs, bands, and jazz groups. She graduated from university with a Bachelor of Media, honing her technical skills in music production. Her musical talents are as varied as her creative pursuits, with vibrant energy that carries through to the different instruments and musical styles she engages with, including jazz, folk, classical, and rock.
Kat believes in the importance of getting kids moving and grooving at a young age to help them feel confident in their bodies and the world around them. She sees music as a powerful way to connect with oneself, others, and the world—something particularly valuable in today’s times.
Returning to her musical roots, Kat finds profound joy at Einsteinz Music, nurturing young minds and guiding them on their first musical steps. She is excited to share her passion and creativity with the next generation, fostering community and helping them start a lifelong dialogue with the world around them through the joy of music.
“Music is a universal language, one that can help us love and feel more deeply. I feel it is a gift to develop it early on in our lives”.
marcus rozenberg
teacher
Marcus was born in London and moved to Brisbane with his family when he was two years old.
Inspired by his dad’s eclectic taste in music and an extensive vinyl collection, Marcus started playing the piano at age 6 and picked up the saxophone at 10.
His love for jazz led him to the Sydney Conservatorium, where he honed his skills playing saxophone in the Sydney Conservatorium Big Band, while also exploring jazz piano and guitar. In high school, Marcus’s vocal talents shone as he sang with St. Peters Chorale, touring iconic cathedrals across the UK, France, Germany, and Denmark, with a highlight performance at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Marcus is an avid concert-goer, enjoying live music across all genres. He is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts with a Music Major and an English Minor at the Sydney Conservatorium/University of Sydney, and he’s also learning Japanese.
Beyond music, Marcus has a passion for ice hockey, which he has played since age 7, representing Queensland and New South Wales, and even playing on international select teams in the United States, Sweden, and Hong Kong.
“Music gave me a strong sense of purpose and helped me at school. I believe that early exposure to music creates self-confidence and direction. It’s a chance to have some fun during a period of crucial development”
scotty burford
Teacher
Scotty’s passion for music started early, sparked by the sound of an acoustic guitar on one of his mum’s records when he was just a toddler. By age 6, he had his first guitar, and his teenage years were filled with garage band jam sessions and countless hours of practice. His dedication led him to study under renowned jazz guitarists like Ike Isaacs and Carl Orr.
At 17, Scotty played his first professional gig and has since performed over 4,000 gigs, ranging from intimate backyard weddings to major festival stages in to an audience of tens of thousands. His musical journey has taken him across Australia, Asia, and the US, playing a diverse range of genres including rock, pop, jazz, blues, country, folk, classical, funk, and ska. Each year, he immerses himself in around 250 gigs, recording sessions, private teaching, and workshops.
In addition to his busy performance schedule, Scotty is deeply committed to charity work. He set the world record for the longest guitar marathon, playing for 125 hours straight to raise money for “Musicians Making a Difference.” He also performs regularly at Ronald McDonald House Sydney and has raised funds for various causes through events like the longest busking session and the longest guitar lesson (for 27 hours!).
“Music brings immeasurable joy and meaning, brings people together like little else does, and is great fun. Music also allows for exploring creativity, self-expression, confidence, and a sense of achievement, which carries over into all areas of life. Einsteinz Music will help give your little one a great start in life”.
celine pozzo
Teacher
Celine’s journey is a testament to her unwavering love for music. Originally hailing from the enchanting city of Paris, she transitioned from a career in Senior Management in Corporate IT to follow her lifelong passion. Music has been her constant companion, and prior to her IT career, she dedicated her time to studying music in France and even took online courses through Berkeley University in California. This period of study allowed her to hone her skills in piano, singing technique, musicianship, and Rock.
In 2016, Celine embarked on a life-changing journey that brought her to the sunny shores of Sydney, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her life. Over the past decade, music has been intricately woven into the tapestry of her existence, including serving as a Choir Director at a Glee Club at a music school in Bondi Junction.
With her unwavering dedication, Celine made the profound decision to transform her cherished passion into a fulfilling vocation. She is currently pursuing a Diploma in Music, specializing in Composition and Creation and is the lead vocalist in a Greenday Tribute Band, captivating audiences in both New South Wales and Queensland.
This career shift has ushered in a remarkable change of pace for Celine, one rich with the profound joy of sharing music with others. She is particularly excited to be working closely with children, nurturing their musical journey during those crucial early steps. As she reflects on this beautiful shift in her life, Celine shares:
“I love being able to work closely with children and share music with them during their first steps into music at an early age.”
chloe watts
Teacher
Chloe grew up in a beautiful yet quiet town on the South Coast of NSW, but that didn’t stop her from making music (noise!) from the earliest age possible. Then at four years old, she was inspired by a teacher who sang and played guitar for the students, and she hasn’t looked back since. She joined school jazz bands and big bands, trained in classical piano and started writing her own music.
Now a songwriter, producer, singer and multi-instrumentalist, Chloe has a Bachelor of Music from the Sydney Conservatorium. She has been working with children for over 6 years and enjoys sharing her love of music, especially with young people.
“I know from first-hand experience that these musical moments can have such a profound impact on children. Even if they don’t go on to pursue a career in music like me, there are so many social, personal and educational benefits of music-making in a child’s life”.
Chloe won’t be teaching weekly classes anymore as she will be doing volunteer work in her field of study (unrelated to music). She will be on hand to sub teach when available.
robyn rostovsky
Owner of Einsteinz Music
Robyn attended her first Einsteinz Music class with her 7 month old daughter whilst on maternity leave.
“I fell in love with the concept and had to be involved with the classes – what could be better than making music with children? What a joyful way to spend the day!”
After training to be a teacher for a few terms, Robyn was then offered the opportunity to open new classes, but at the time was pregnant with her second child. Instead, she bought the business in 2004 – a perfect combination of her past education (an Honours Degree in Dramatic Arts, with a penchant for musical theatre) and her many years of work experience in marketing and sales management in the field of luxury education.
Robyn is passionate about Einsteinz Music and all the benefits it brings to children and carers alike. Occasionally she ventures out from behind her desk to teach substitute classes or co-teach larger groups for promotions or demonstrations.