Teaching Staff

About Teaching Staff

Our teachers are a diverse group of musicians and educators each with their own unique background.
This diversity allows TSA to cater to the variety of needs in every school and provide staff to suit any type of program.
All our teachers are screened to comply with the appropriate Working With Children legislation and attend regular training and development in child protection, copyright, behaviour management and instrumental pedagogy.
In addition to our regular teaching staff, TSA draws on a network of freelance and contract musicians and educators to enrich our programs with workshops, camps and masterclasses.

Teaching Staff

Lucia Bichara

Program & Band Director

Lucia is an experienced music educator and program director who is passionate about helping students develop their musical skills, confidence, creativity, and love for performing.

Ben Miesch

Program & Band Director

Ben Miesch is a passionate music educator, conductor and business leader whose dedication to music education has shaped the growth of Teaching Services Australia (TSA). After studying at the prestigious Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Ben went on to turn his passion for music and teaching into a vision of his own, founding TSA from the ground up. What began as a small venture has grown into the thriving organisation it is today, thanks to Bens determination, entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering commitment to providing quality music education opportunities to students and schools. As CEO, conductor, and tutor, Ben continues to play an active role within TSA. He is a much-loved music educator and conductor, known for his approachable nature, enthusiasm and ability to inspire students to reach their potential. His dedication extends beyond his students, with staff also valuing his leadership, support and genuine passion for the work they do. Ben is highly respected by the students, families and staff he works with and takes great pride in creating a positive, inclusive and inspiring environment where both students and educators can thrive.

Damian Butler

Program & Band Director

Rowen McBride

Program & Band Director

Rowen is a Central Coast based conductor and musician with a passion for music education. Rowen studies at the Conservatorium of Music in Newcastle. He currently directs several Concert, Jazz and Brass bands across the Central Coast and Sydney areas including Primary, secondary and community bands. He enjoys performing as a member of Central Coast Brass. He has led secondary school bands on various international tours and music festivals, regularly conducts in State and national competitions and adjudicates.

Joshua McNulty

Program & Band Director

Graduating from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2015, Joshua is a conductor, composer and educator. Primarily a reed play, he has recently started to dive into the world of brass instruments in addition to his conducting and education work. His studies with Dr John Lynch and Dr Anthony Clarke helped him build a solid foundation in conducting which have grown significantly while working with The Film Harmonia Orchestra (founder and MD), the Macquarie University Symphony Orchestra, the Canaria Scoring Orchestra, the Wellington Players, and the Strathfield Symphony Orchestra. As an educator, Joshua directs numerous school bands across Sydney as well as tutoring many students on their instruments. Joshua has always has a keen interest in music written with a narrative, especially as a composer and is very grateful to have had works premiered by both FilmHarmonia and IWCB.

Daryl Walton

Program & Band Director

Daryl is an enthusiastic and energetic band director and tutor, and has been running band programs with TSA for over 10 years. Daryl currently teaches at 8 primary schools. Daryl, alongside his son Nic, is a member of the Cafe Latte orchestra that performs a variety of music in regional centres throughout NSW.

Matthew King

Program & Band Director

Pauline Ainsworth

Program & Band Director

Meredith Hastings

Program & Band Director

Meredith is a professional conductor, saxophonist & violinist with 15 years of experience teaching in both public & private school music programs across the North Shore and Hills area. Meredith works as a music director of both strings and wind bands and has directed many award-winning ensembles across the course of her career. She specialises in primary school programs and brings a wealth of experience across a diverse range of ensembles to her conducting work at TSA. All children should have the opportunity to learn music and it is this philosophy that drives her work. Meredith is forever grateful to have the opportunity every day to teach and inspire students to love music and love band!

Anna Hibbins

Program & Band Director

Anna holds a Bachelor of Music (Performance and Education) and a Graduate Diploma of Education. With 15 years experience, she is a passionate music educator, band director and woodwind specialist who teaches across the full range of concert band instruments. Anna is also an active musician and performs with a Concert Band in the Hills District. Anna is committed to making music enjoyable and accessible for every student. She focuses on Developing confident young musicians, strong ensemble skills and a sense of achievement while inspiring a lifelong love of music and music-making.

Mari Diewald

Program & Band Director

Mari (BMus, Ped, MMus Performance Studies) is a passionate conductor, educator and multi-instrumentalist with extensive knowledge and experience across woodwind and brass instruments. She studies music in Finland, the Netherlands and at the university of Sydney. She is an active musician and currently performs as a solo tenor horn player in a brass band in Western Sydney. As a conductor and educator, Mari brings together her broad instrumental experience, musical knowledge and enthusiasm for working with musicians of all ages and abilities. Her approach is focused on developing confident musicianship, musical expresson and a genuine love of making music together.

Daniel Masman

Program & Band Director

Daniel is a highly experienced band director, tutor, musician and composer with a Bachelor of Arts Music degree from the University of Western Sydney and a Graduate Diploma in Screen Music from the Australian Film Television and Radio School. Looking towards the future, Daniel hopes to journey beyond Earth and be aboard the first pioneering human mission to colonise Mars.

Lexie Miesch

Program & Band Director

Lexie is a passionate music educator, conductor and multi-instrumentalist with a deep love for inspiring the next generation. Her musical journey began as a child in the TSA program, where she first picked up the trumpet. Since then, she has continues to expand her musical knowledge and skills across a range of instruments. With years of experience in musical education and ensemble direction, Lexie is passionate about creating an engaging, supportive and inspiring musical environment for students. in 2023 Lexie took her passion for performance in a different direction, working professionally as a dancer India, This unique experience broadened her perspective as a performer and allowed her to explore moevement, culture and performance from a new perspective. Since returning, Lexie has rekindled her love for music education, combing her experience as a musician, dancer and educator to inspire students both in and beyond the classroom.

Sara Davy

Program & Band Director

Arthur Webster

Program & Band Director

Maddison O'Connor

Program & Band Director

Lillian Burke

Program & Band Director

Lillian is an enthusiastic and passionate music tutor who aims to give all students the best learning experience. Every student has theor own way of learning best which is what she aims to find to give each student their own tailored experience. Lillian teaches and plays multiple instruments and is regularly performing at formal and informal events. Her passion for music is something she hopes to pass on to her students.

Nicole Lewis

Program & Band Director

Wayne Rigby

Program & Band Director

Rory Hodgeson

Brass Tutor

Nick Lafkas

Woodwind Tutor

Dorothy Sercombe

Strings Tutor

Holding a Masters Degree in Violin Performance (UNSW) and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Music and Education (USyd) as well as AMusA. Dorothy is an experiences violin, viola and piano tutor having studies with tutors here and abroad and teaching in various school and at her home studio.

Vanessa Couper

Flute Tutor

Vanessa Couper is a flautist, registered music therapist, song writer, mum of two and Vee from kids music group Tiptoe Giants. Vanessa has completed three music degrees from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Melbourne University - BMus (hons), MMus and MMusThy, and has countless experience withing the arts, education, health and performance sectors. Vanessa has performed as a flautist with the Sydney Symphony orchestra as well as performing regularly with Tiptoe Giants. Vanessa loves using music as a tool to engage with others.

Ean Tzuan Lee

Flute Tutor

Pax Echevarria

Brass Tutor

Alice Wake

Flute Tutor

Harrison Long

Brass Tutor

Gwyneth Jansen

Multi-Instrumental Tutor & Conductor

Gwyneth has 5 years of experience in teaching and live performance. She is studying music at the prestigous Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Gwyneth is very passionate about being a role model for young female guitarists and being in a position to inspire the next generation to join her as a professional musician.

Rosanna Corniola

Multi-Instrumental Tutor

Sarah Roche

Piano, Guitar & Vocal Tutor

Sarah is a passionate vocal, piano and guitar teacher with over 10 years of performing experience. With a deep love for music and a commitment to nurturing the potential of her students, Sarah specialises in both classical and contemporary styles, offering personalised lessons tailored to each student's goals and abilities. Recently finishing a Bachelor or Music (Contemporary Music Practice) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sarah brings a broad wealth of knowledge to each lesson.

Chris Everest

Multi-Instrumental Tutor

Bailey Mears

Guitar & Drum Tutor

Sheau Yee Wang

Piano Tutor

Sheau has 15 years of experience teaching piano, specialising in students ranging from beginner to advanced levels. She has extensive experience in preparing students for the AMEB Syllabus, including practical examinations, performance, technical development, musical interpretation and Music Theory,. She can also provide guidance and advice on music scholarship applications, helping students present their musical achievements, experience, and strengths effectively. Her teaching approach is patient, supportive, and tailored to each students individual abilities and goals, with a strong focus on building confidence, musicality and a lifelong enjoyment of music. Outside of piano teaching, he enjoys serving in church music alongside her two children, which is a meaningful way for them to share their love of music together. Sheau also enjoys spending quality time with family, travelling to discover and enjoying good food.

Eugenie Na

Piano Tutor

Emily Fox

Flute Tutor

Sean Steele

Percussion & Bass Tutor

Vicki Steele

Percussion & Bass Tutor

Ramon Echevarria

Bass Tutor

Mikayla Hartigan

Strings Tutor & Conductor

Chris Bouhabib

Brass & Bass Tutor

Esther Lukins

Strings Tutor

Rachel Yang

Flute & Violin Tutor

Rachel is a passionate teacher who began playing music at age seven, learning the flute, violin and piano. She started performing at a young age, and has since enjoyed playing flute and violin in a range of ensembles. She now enjoys sharing her passion for music through teaching.

James Arthur

Woodwind Tutor

Elysia Castillejo

Eva Whitbread

Percussion Tutor

Irisa Yates

Woodwind Tutor

Contact Information

Phone

(02) 9651 7333, ext 2

Email

info@teachingservices.com.au

Office Hours

Monday – Friday 9:00am-4:30pm