Meet your tutors
Our tutors are accomplished musicians who have in-depth experience across a range of instruments, disciplines and musical styles. Learn more about what drives them creatively and how they can support you to start your musical journey.
Piano - Keyboard
Wendy Brooks
Like many children growing up in regional NSW in the 1960s and 70s, I learnt piano from the local Josephite nuns. I had never seen a grand piano until I auditioned at Sydney Conservatorium, so I really love the opportunities that regional conservatoriums provide for our students.
I love the light bulb moments in teaching, when students find the answers or the techniques that work for them, or when they achieve something after a great deal of effort. I delight in helping students find the connections across various subjects or different aspects of their learning.
Learning an instrument is a long-term project, and I see the positive relationships between teachers and their students as crucial to the learning process.
Piano - Keyboard - Vocal coach
Judy Barker
I’m Judy, a vocal and piano/keyboard tutor. I love working with students of all ages to help them find their voice and bring out their own passion for music. I have been performing for many years in musical theatre, bands playing everything from jazz, funk, R & B, musical theatre to pop and rock, and performing these styles solo on vocals and keyboard. I believe everyone’s life is richer with music in it. Where there is joy in singing and playing, there is joy in listening!
Woodwind - Brass
Liz Boland
Hi, I’m Liz, a woodwind and brass tutor at YRC. I am a local girl, being brought up on a mixed farm west of Young. I attended Young Public School and Young High School where I was actively involved in music within the schools and wider community. I began teaching flute at YRC in 2008 and since have expanded my knowledge in other instruments including oboe, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet and horn. Music has become a huge part of my life with both my children following in my footsteps and being involved in many community events in various bands and ensembles.
I take great joy in seeing my students grow musically and having fun playing for others. I have a passion for ensembles and believe that sharing your talents is a must, no matter how good you think you are. And I believe anyone can learn to play an instrument or sing… you just have to give it a try and have a bit of fun!
Woodwind - Band Coordinator
Leisa Dunford
The highlight of working at YRC is being involved with so many families throughout the community. I thrive on helping people to achieve their goals, to build their skills, resilience and confidence, and to help them form life long friendships and connections through music. I grew up in a small town very similar to Young, so I understand the immeasurable impact music has on our community. In 2003, I moved to Sydney to live and study, relocating to Young as YRC’s Woodwind Tutor, and Band Coordinator in 2007.
I have enjoyed my time here immensely, and am now settled with a family of my own. I am passionate about students of all ages, and all abilities, having the opportunity to pursue music, and I look forward to the long and fulfilling career ahead of me at YRC.
Vocal Coach - Performance
Nicole Richardson
The love of singing & performing has been a part of my life since I was a little child. I am a vocalist and performer with 23 years’ experience as a soloist, band member and session singer. Having paid my dues as a professional singer, regularly touring northwest New South Wales, the ACT, and Southeast Queensland, I have garnered experiences and knowledge that I would like to pass on about the Music Industry, stage craft, touring & performing to emerging artists.
I’ve worked in Rock bands, Pop bands and Country bands. I spent 16 years in Tamworth NSW, performing at the Tamworth Country Music Festival regularly and was also fortunate to have performed on Main Stage at the Gympie Muster twice! I’ve had the privilege of performing at the closing of the Tamworth Country Music Festival as well.
I am a session singer and enjoy working in the recording studio and have a passion for musical theatre, having performed in theatrical productions with Tamworth Musical Society.
I am currently in my second year of a Bachelor of Music with a focus on Voice. I am passionate about music and want to help students unleash the performer within!
Vocal coach - Performance
Bekki brown
Now based in the Central West, Rebekah has been singing since the age of 19 doing various events for Carols by Candlelight, festivals and singing competitions. Work has included sessions as a backing vocalist for country artists, tribute shows and studio recording sessions for kids’ albums, Christmas albums and other album projects. Currently studying with the Institute of Vocal Advancement as a student teacher.
Flute - Piano - Clarinet - Saxophone
Ingrid Owens
Ingrid is a flute, piano, clarinet, and saxophone tutor at YRC. Her love of music began at a very early age through listening and movement, naturally growing into a passion for creating music herself.
With a strong background in classical music, Ingrid has performed with a wide range of ensembles across the country. More recently, she has embraced the rich and expressive world of jazz, expanding both her performance and teaching practice.
Ingrid strongly believes in the value of the social and collaborative aspects of music-making for personal health and wellbeing. She enjoys performing both for and with others and is an enthusiastic participant in YRC’s student concert program.
As a teacher, Ingrid finds great fulfilment in supporting students to build confidence and self-belief, and in celebrating their progress as they achieve their individual musical goals.
Woodwind - Ensemble - School-based learning
Nick Willoughby
Nick is a highly experienced music educator with over 30 years of teaching students of all ages. Specialising in clarinet and saxophone, Nick brings a deep understanding of woodwind performance, ensemble musicianship, and student-centred learning to each lesson and classroom environment.
Throughout his career, Nick has inspired students from beginner to advanced levels, helping them develop strong technical foundations, confident performance skills, and a genuine love of music. With a teaching approach grounded in patience and encouragement, Nick supports learners in achieving their personal best—whether preparing for exams, joining ensembles, or simply exploring music for enjoyment.
Woodwind study strengthens concentration, memory, and fine-motor coordination; and enhances emotional expression and creativity. Students gain confidence, develop problem-solving skills, and experience the joy of making music both independently and with others.
In all classroom and instrumental learning opportunities, Nick is committed to fostering musical growth, curiosity, and achievement in every student.
Guitar - School-based learning - Ukulele - Bands - Mambrimba - Drums - Ensemble - Trumpet - Tuba
Mark Corkery
Mark Corkery is a guitarist and songwriter who has been playing and writing music in many solo and ensemble contexts for over 30 years. Mark began teaching with YRC in 2009, and has since been involved in the musical journey of upwards of 500 individual students as well as over a thousand students in classroom programs and ensembles.
Mark’s teaching approach has three primary focuses; enjoyment, flexibility, and community.
Fostering an enjoyment of music in the early years of a child’s educational journey is crucial to a lifelong passion for music making, and so Mark’s approach seeks to provide an accessible and flexible program tailored to each individual student.
Mark also believes that enjoyment comes from owning your craft, and having autonomy in your own musical journey. With many years experience as a musician and tutor, he is able to guide each student within an adaptable framework that allows for the student’s own input whilst also facilitating steady progress towards the student’s chosen goals.
And finally Mark believes in the power of music to provide a sense of belonging and community, and that this can be found in playing as part of an ensemble. Mark works with many school and Con ensembles including rock bands, marimba ensembles, drumming ensembles, ukulele orchestras, concert bands and stage bands. This provides plenty of opportunities for students to take part in an ensemble that suits them, and with this comes the many benefits of playing music alongside other learning musicians.
Drums - Guitar - Bass Guitar - Djembe
Keith Doldissen
Keith teaches drums from beginner to advanced and guitar from beginner to intermediate levels. He started playing drums at age 9, guitar at age 15 and started teaching others when 18, so has been teaching for over 35 years as well as playing in bands. Playing music is fun, playing drums and guitar is fun so and this philosophy transfers to his teaching style….FUN! Keith believes that playing music is something you share and encourages all students to become involved in bands or to perform at YRC Student Concerts. He plays professionally in a local band called “The Young Ones” which does gigs throughout the year across regional NSW.
Keith teaches all styles of music on drum kit and guitar, from pop to country, rock, metal, alternative and everything in between. He also teaches tribal drumming on djembes and Drum Corps military style drumming. Learning music changed his life when he was young and believes it can do the same for you
Guitar - Piano - Ukulele
Abhisek Nair
Abhishek is a friendly and passionate music teacher with over 10 years of playing experience and 5 years in music production. He completed his Bachelor of Music at the Australian Institute of Music and is currently studying a Master of Teaching (Secondary)—blending strong musical skills with great teaching practice.
From performing and arranging for ensembles to working with church choir teams, Abhishek brings real‑world musical experience into every lesson. He has been teaching piano and guitar for over 5 years, working with students of all ages and abilities.
With experience in music production and sound engineering, Abhishek has recorded and scored music for songs, advertisements, and short films. Most importantly, he’s known for making lessons fun, relaxed, and encouraging, helping every student enjoy learning music while building confidence along the way.
Guitar
Kate Harpley
I have lived in Temora my whole life and started learning the guitar in Year 4 at Temora West Public School. My teacher was the very talented Patrick Geaghan who travelled across every week from Wagga Conservatorium of Music. I studied Music for my HSC and continued to learn from Patrick up until I finished high school. I was also a part of a small band in Temora and from this learnt so many different skills from those talented people in my town, not to mention made some great friendships. Recently, I have been playing locally as an acoustic duo with a very talented singer and close friend of mine. It’s so much fun to be performing for people and the Young Regional School of Music are all about showcasing their students talents as well!
I began teaching private guitar lessons in 2010 and I have tutored many students in this time from primary school aged children to adults. I took a short break when I had my daughter in 2017 and I am ecstatic to be back on the music scene!
The best part of what I do is seeing each student make progress every week and be excited about what they are learning, whilst having fun at the same time. Music is a great form of expression and it’s so nice to be able to guide students through all different stages of learning the guitar whilst teaching them what they want to learn
Piano - Keyboard
Amanda Isbester
Hi, my name is Amanda, and I am a piano tutor. I like working with students to guide and support them towards their individual music goals, and to create a positive music experience for all. I enjoy listening to a wide range of genres, and believe music is a wonderful addition to our daily lives, whether it be as a listener or as a performer. At the piano, I enjoy playing music from the Classical, Romantic & Impressionist periods, and have always been a big fan of Ragtime. I also like to accompany other instruments and appreciate any chance I get to collaborate with others.
Piano - Organ
Kyrene Mei Paine
Kyrene Mei Paine is a violinist and violist born in the United Kingdom, who relocated to Australia in 2003. She completed primary school in the United Kingdom, and high school and her first degree (a Bachelor of Creative Industries, (2016) from JCU in Cairns, QLD, before relocating to Melbourne.
She began violin at a young age under her mother’s tuition, and has been playing for twenty- four years.
In Melbourne, she worked as a Violin Teacher for Metro Music School, The Music Education Academy and The Music Hub Academy, and recently graduated with her second degree- a Bachelor of Educational Studies with a Music Major (Victoria University, March 2025). She worked as a Violin and Viola Teacher for Caroline Springs School of Music- where her love and passion for the viola developed. Her ongoing passion for music has led her to perform violin and viola in various community orchestras throughout Victoria and Queensland and achieve a High Distinction on her AMEB Grade 6 Viola Examination in December, 2024.
In October 2023, Kyrene participated in a University study tour to Thailand where she taught classroom music under the guidance of a classroom music teacher and participated in the cultural and musical life of Thailand through immersion in traditional Thai musical instrument classes. This has further educated her in awareness and appreciation of cultural differences, which in turn has informed her teaching practice.
Kyrene is delighted to announce that she is the new Strings Tutor at The Young Regional Conservatorium since mid-February 2025. She is excited to be a part of the Conservatorium and contribute to the vibrant, musical scene in Young, NSW.
Drums - Guitar - Bass Guitar - Ukulele
Matt Wilder
