“Without music, life would be a mistake.”
- Fredrich Nietzsche
“Music is the mediation between the spiritual and the sensual life.”
- Ludwig van Beethoven
“Where words fail music speaks.”
- Hans Christian Anderson
“Music exists to elevate us as far as possible above everyday life.”
- Gabriel Faure
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
- Bertold Auerbach
“Music exists to elevate us as far as possible above everyday life.”
- Gabriel Faure
“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
- Plato
“If you look deep enough you will see music; the heart of nature being everywhere music.”
- Thomas Carlyle
“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”
- Victor Hugo
“Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue.”
- Plato
“After silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”
- Aldous Husley
Goal: To acquaint students with the European musical legacy, helping them to discern and appreciate the art of music while developing presentation and performance skills and enhancing personal qualities such as determination and self-esteem.

Our Teachers

Mr Dobbs Franks

Since earning my Masters degree in Piano at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, I have enjoyed a busy and successful performing and teaching career. My performances have taken me around the world as a chamber musician with occasional diversions into performing my favourite piano concertos. My wife and I were a sonata team, and for over 35 years we performed a vast repertoire all over the world. I love playing the piano when I am not teaching or conducting.

With over 50 years' teaching experience, I am keen to share my incredible musical experiences with aspiring musicians. I feel it is a way to say thank you for such an exciting music career and life that I have. I enjoy working with young people, having conducted many youth orchestras and also being a Lecturer at the Sir Zelman Cowan School of Music at Monash University where I helped many young performers prepare for their lives as musicians.

As a pianist, I have a very well-developed technique and knowledge of the requirements of solo and chamber music performing and accompanying, as well as techniques for memorizing and practicing efficiently without wasting time.

My favorite music is whatever I am conducting or playing at the time.

My relaxation is competitive bridge anywhere in the world as well as online.

Education

Juilliard School of Music - New York City

Qualification awarded - Master of Music (MMus) Music Performance.

Hendrix College - Arkansas

Qualification awarded - Bachelor of Music (BMus) Honors. Music Performance, Musicology, Theory, Composition.

Professional Standing

Member of the Victorian Music Teachers Association

Member of the Australian Music Teachers Register

Mr Artem Suetin

Following in the footsteps of Sergei Suetin and belonging to a musical family, I have developed musical appreciation and technique from an early age. I thoroughly enjoy educating and teaching the younger generation in piano performance and guiding their musical development. I personally enjoy the Classical scene however can accomodate various musical tastes and learning styles. I can prepare students for AMEB exams in both traditional Piano and Piano for Leisure.

Education

Monash University - Melbourne

Qualification awarded - Diploma of Music

Qualification awarded - Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

Professional Standing

Member of the Australian Music Teachers Register