Michelle Spencer
Director

Piano, Kindermusik

B.A.(Melb), Adv. Cert. Professional Writing & Editing (C.A.E.)
Licensed Kindermusik educator.
Licensed Music Logic educator.

I don't have a regular music-teacher's background.  I did not begin piano lessons until 25.  

I was declared un-musical at the age of 5 by my school music teachers -- possibly my 40% hearing loss due to to 'glue ear' had something to do with that!  (I have full hearing now.) I did ballet instead, but the teacher scared me and I quit in less than a year.

All my friends were in the school productions, so at 14 I told my school music teacher, "I want to be in the production even though I  don't know if I can sing." He said, "Ok."

After university, several music teachers told me that at 25 it would take me 10 years of scales (1 hour per night) to learn the piano, or that I was too old.

Luckily I did a temp. assignment at Music Logic head office and discovered that it wasn't too late at all.  Thanks to Music Logic I learned to read and play music, and I had fun doing it!  So much fun that Nigel, my husband, decided to have some lessons too.

We had always planned to 'one day' run our own business. Over the next two years, we realised that music teaching was the business for us.  In 1997 we opened Hawthorn Music Studio, with Nigel as the teacher.

I trained as a Kindermusik educator in 1999, and as a Music Logic coach in 2000.  In 2002, I become a Kindermusik Mentor.  I have since offered Professional Development Seminars and spoken at conferences in Australia, the UK and the USA.  In July 2006 I convened the Kindermusik Educators' of Australia national conference.

When not teaching, I'm a soprano at All Saints Church, Kooyong, and I enjoy reading, cooking and craft.  

Nigel Davies
Director

Piano, Guitar, Kindermusik

B.A.(Hons) and M.A., Melb, Grad. Cert. Business Admin (RMIT)
Licensed Music Logic educator
Licensed Kindermusik educator

During high school, I studied classical piano for four years and cello for two years.  I loved the music, and hated the lessons.  (My teachers were all musicians, who taught kids while they were 'resting' between concert engagements.)

When I finally gave up in despair, I could play three or four lessons well on each instrument, but had very little understanding of how music really worked.

In my twenties, I taught in university arts and education faculties.  While I enjoyed guiding each student on their voyage of discovery, I was often discouraged by the lack of a really effective teaching method.

I discovered it when Michelle (my wife) began lessons with Music Logic.  Within a couple of months, she learned more about how music works than I could remember from all those years of training.

The next week, I enrolled in Music Logic lessons, and then applied to become a teacher.  I won't ever be a concert soloist, but I can help others discover what I now know:  music is a fun and rewarding experience that everyone can share.

NOTE: as of July 2008, Nigel continues to teach piano - specialising in advanced students who want to learn improvising, composition and arrangement.  

His main work is with our other business - Medieval Education (www.medieval.com.au) - of which he is Managing Director.

Nigel is also in demand as a speaker in topics such as multi-sensory learning.

Jenny O'Shannassy
Reorganising Guru

Jennie O'Shanassy is married with one daughter.  Her previous work experience includes twenty two years with NAB in various HR and branch management roles.  With her husband, she runs a Jim's Mowing business.  

Her interests are singing and theatre, and long walks along the beach.

She is gradually whipping Nigel & Michelle into businesslike practices.