Empowering School Instrumental Music Programs
The Teaching Team
Our specialists at Majenta Music are highly qualified professionals who bring their expertise and passion for music to every lesson. We have a devoted core team of part-time specialists, supplemented by several specialist casual tutors who provide relief teaching. This ensures that students enjoy a seamless learning experience, consistently maintained throughout their musical journey. Find out more about our wonderful teaching team below.
Allister Harrison
Brass, Drums/Percussion & Piano Specialist
Joining the Majenta Music team in 2023 as our multi-instrumental specialist, Mr Harrison is a lifelong musician who enjoys any and every kind of music-making. He recently graduated with his Masters from the Queensland Conservatorium, and previously taught piano and brass at the Independent Music Academy. He plays regularly in several ensembles, including the "Brass Half Full" quintet, and serves as musical director of the TLF Creative Big Band. Mr Harrison has recently released an EP with his sister, Hilary.
Julius Hofstetter
Woodwind Specialist
Mr Hofstetter began playing woodwind instruments at the age of 5. With over 50 years of dedication to his passion for music, he brings a wealth of experience to his teaching, spanning 25 years, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Mr Hofstetter has collaborated with bands in Australia and overseas, both live and in the studio. Teaching is his passion, and he finds immense joy in witnessing his students thrive. With a holistic approach, Mr Hofstetter loves passing on concepts for improvisation. We welcome Mr Hofstetter to the Majenta Music team from term 2, 2024.
Amy Hosking
String Specialist
As a scholarship recipient, Miss Hosking graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) from The University of Queensland in 2019. During this time, she attended the Winter Strings Conference in New York and performed in a musical collaboration with the Xi’an Symphony Orchestra in China. Since completing her degree, Amy enjoys performing as a member of the Cadenza Chamber Players who have recently been appointed the ensemble in residence with Ballet Theatre Queensland for 2024. Her recent playing experience consists of musical productions, including Les Misérables (2022), Phantom of the Opera (2022), Pirates of Penzance (2020, 2021 and 2022), Oklahoma (2023) and The Wizard of Oz (2023). In 2023, Miss Hosking was asked to perform alongside Michael Bublè in his Brisbane tour. Miss Hosking is a foundation tutor at Majenta Music, and she is currently pursuing a Masters of Teaching through Griffith University. She is passionate about sharing her love of performing with younger generations in order to help them cultivate their personal musical voice.
Henry Jarvela
String Specialist
Mr Jarvela graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Cello performance) from the Qld Conservatorium, Griffith University, in 2019. As a performer, he has been a member of both the Qld and Australian Youth Orchestras, as well as local community groups. Mr Jarvela has had an interest in composing from a young age and a number of his pieces have been performed by students in his local community. Since graduating, Mr Jarvela has been actively involved in teaching and mentoring young string players both privately and in school and community contexts. We welcome Mr Jarvela to the Majenta Music team from 2024.
Rhys Maddox
Guitar & Percussion/Drums Specialist
Mr Maddox is a multi-instrumentalist teacher, performer, and composer, and he joined our Majenta Music team in 2024. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree and is currently studying a Masters of Music degree at the Griffith Conservatorium of Music (majoring in Composition). As well as teaching and performing, Mr Maddox loves to write music and has been recently scoring music for two upcoming Australian films. “Mirror Mirror” and “The Edge”. When it comes to teaching, Mr Maddox finds joy in guiding students through AMEB or school exams, as well as helping them learn their favorite songs!
Catherine Neylan
Guitar Specialist
Ms Neylan is a classically trained Guitarist with a wide performance and educational background. She holds an Associate Diploma in Classical Guitar from Trinity College, London. Ms Neylan brings a wealth of experience to her role, with a background in classical guitar performance and education. Holding an Associate Diploma in Classical Guitar from Trinity College, London, Ms Neylan is currently serving as the Guitar Tutor and Ensemble Director at two private schools in Brisbane, and joined our team at Majenta Music in term 2, 2024. Outside of Ms Neylan's passion for teaching, she also finds great joy in ensemble playing which was expanded and nurtured by her years in Mandolins in Brisbane, where she continues to lead the Guitar Section. Additionally, Ms Neylan was the Guitarist in the pop/jazz trio, 3 to Tango and was a member of one of Australia’s’ leading classical guitar ensemble, Aurora Guitar Ensemble, which has performed at the prestigious Adelaide Guitar Festival.
Lisa Nitschke
Woodwind Specialist
Mrs Nitschke grew up in the United States, where she studied flute at the Thayer Performing Arts Centre in Massachusetts, then tertiary studies in Maine, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Music. While on tour in Australia with a music group, she met her husband, Mark, and settled in Australia. After living in Adelaide and Blue Mountains, Mrs Nitschke has now taught instrumental music in Queensland schools and in her home studio for 19 years. Mrs Nitschke regularly performs with Moreton Bay Symphony Orchestra. She also performs with her songwriter husband in an original contemporary duo. Mrs Nitschke joined the Majenta Music team in 2023, and loves to see young people enabled to express themselves through music and experience the thrill of performing solo and in ensembles.
Louise Osborne
Piano Specialist & Piano Accompanist
Mrs Osborne is an experienced pianist, piano teacher and accompanist who has worked in a wide variety of musical fields. As a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music, Mrs Osborne has taught piano privately at all levels to both children and adults in the UK and in Brisbane. A very rewarding part of Mrs Osborne's musical career has been accompanying singers and instrumentalists in musical theatre, in school and church concerts and productions, in choir and ensemble concerts, and for auditions and Board examinations. Over the years, Mrs Osborne has accompanied school, church and local choirs in the UK and, more recently, held the position of choral accompanist for the Redcliffe City Choir. She has sung in choirs and directed church youth choirs and informal singing groups. With valuable life experience, Mrs Osborne takes a holistic approach to teaching piano. She enjoys engaging with students of all ages and levels to help them discover the joy of participating in music and developing a natural sense of musicality by gaining practical piano skills, fluency in reading and a firm grasp of the theory of music. In 2022, Mrs Osborne became a part of the Majenta Music team when piano tuition was incorporated into the range of offerings provided by Majenta Music.
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Atticus Shipstone
Brass Specialist
Mr Shipstone's musical journey began with learning trumpet, and his early obsession with all things "jazz" was sparked through his involvement in specialist school music programs and the Brisbane Jazz Club's Talkin’ Jazz Big Band. A pivotal moment came at 16 when he performed solo in the prestigious MOST master class, mentored by trumpeter John Hoffman, solidifying his dedication to pursuing a future in the music industry. Mr Shipstone earned Certificates III and IV in Jazz Music Performance while in high school and pursued a Bachelor of Music (Jazz Trumpet) at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Mr Shipstone has performed with notable ensembles such as Con-Fusion, Conservatorium Big Band, and the esteemed Con Artists, even sharing the stage with jazz legend, Vince Jones. Currently completing his Honours year, Mr Shipstone thrives in a variety of genres, from hip hop with The JP Collective to retro funk with The Anchormen. Beyond performing, Mr Shipstone enjoys teaching privately and sharing his passion for all types of music with students. We welcome Mr Shipstone to the Majenta Music team from term 2, 2024.
