Academy of Musikcraft & Mastery

Artarmon NSW, Australia

Violin Lessons | Keyboard Lessons, Piano Lessons, Viola Lessons | Aural Lessons, Theory Lessons, Online Lessons

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• Qualifications: BMus
• Pricing: From $50
• Styles: Classical, Contemporary, Irish traditional, AMEB, ABRSM
• Suitability: Ages 4+, All Levels

Bio

Academy of Musikcraft & Mastery is a music school based in Artarmon just 3 minutes walk from the station. At The Academy, instrumental lessons are offered for violin & viola with Jara Stinson, and piano, Irish flute & whistle, bodhrán, along with DADGAD Irish guitar accompaniment with James Slack-Smith.

At The Academy, students get a unique learning experience with the chance to take part in challenges and performances. Students studying with us are highly motivated and have lots of fun while experienced and passionate teachers help them to develop the skills they need to excel on their musical journey.

Teaching Info

Teachers at The Academy are experienced musicians and tutors with tertiary qualifications in music and a passion for delivering the best education to students. Students learn the fundamental techniques and theory to allow them to strive towards their musical goals.

Whether you are looking to learn your favourite songs, develop a new skill, play with an orchestra/band, or pursue a career in music, you will find the support you need to guide you along your journey. As we understand that students have different learning styles and time commitments, our lessons are tailored to each individual to make sure you get the most out of your time at The Academy.

Our teachers are trained in a range of music genres and are strong advocates of exploring the vast capabilities of each instrument. From traditional Irish fiddle to classical to jazz and much more, we will make sure you are learning music you love!

For students interested in exams, we follow the ABRSM or AMEB syllabus and our students have consistently achieved excellent results under the guidance of our teachers.

-Our Teachers-

Jara Stinson: violin, viola

With a reputation as a highly sought after violin teacher, Jara is a passionate and dedicated educator with an unwavering commitment to fostering the musical growth and success of each student. With a wealth of experience and extensive research into the best teaching methods, Jara creates a nurturing environment that ensures students start their musical journey with a solid technical foundation. She brings unique and innovative teaching approaches to the table, introducing students to a wide range of musical genres. By tailoring lessons to each individual, Jara emphasises personalised learning, allowing students to explore their musical interests while honing their skills. 

Under Jara’s guidance, students have achieved remarkable success in school ensembles and AMEB examinations, consistently earning an average grade of honours. While some teachers may rush students through levels with mediocre results, Jara prioritises developing solid technique and a comprehensive musical understanding. This approach builds confidence and motivation in her students and allows them to flourish.

Thanks to a diverse musical background, Jara is well equipped to helping students achieve their goals. Jara began studying violin following traditional classical methods and progressed through the AMEB examination system before moving on to further education at university where she studied a Bachelor of Music Performance and has completed studies in violin and viola pedagogy through Northwestern University, drawing inspiration from methods of esteemed pedagogues such as Mimi Zweig (teacher of world class violinist, Joshua Bell), Shinichi Suzuki and Paul Rolland. She is well versed in traditional and contemporary violin techniques and on top of classical music, has explored and trained in various genres such as traditional Irish folk music, bluegrass, jazz, and rock among others. 

As an inspiring violin teacher, Jara nurtures students’ musical potential while cultivating a lifelong love for the instrument. Her dedication, extensive knowledge, and diverse background makes her an ideal mentor for violinists of all ages and interests.

James Slack-Smith

James’ journey in music began at a young age, where he first discovered a love for the piano. Over the years, he honed his craft in jazz, classical, contemporary, and Celtic traditional genres, especially of the Irish tradition. As a musician, he has performed in orchestras, jazz bands, and traditional folk bands such as The Last Aurochs, — who’s album was received with anticipation among the folk community — arís, who made their debut at the National Celtic Festival in 2023, and Irish language band, Na Peacaigh. 

A maestro of learning, James has an extraordinary reputation in the music community for being a multi-instrumentalist; his growing collection outside of the piano ranging from the Irish flute to the banjo, from the fiddle to the harp, from the guitar to the trumpet, and many more. James’ versatility makes him a highly respected and sought after musician, earning him the Folk Tradition Award in 2019 – presented by Illawarra Folk Festival, along with performances at festivals & venues around the country.

After repeating the steps many times, James is intimately familiar with the processes behind successfully and efficiently learning a new instrument. Having learned many instruments to performance level within a matter of months (and sometimes mere weeks!), his own musical journey provides him with a unique insight into his students’ experience, something that many teachers can struggle with due to the many years since they began learning themselves. James’ passion for music is reflected in his dedication to nurturing the talents of his students, making him a highly admired teacher. 

James offers lessons for piano, the Irish flute, tin whistle, bodhrán, and DADGAD guitar accompaniment for Irish traditional music.