Joanne Davies - piano teacher
Joanne Davies from East Coast Music
It's never too late
Having been undisciplined as a child when I had the opportunity to learn the piano, a huge regret as I grew older. Through Joanne and the “Simply Music Programme” I have now in 40 lessons exceeded all expectations with one lesson a week. Now I am able to play shorter versions of the classics, blues (which I really enjoy), and pieces for pleasure. I am finishing level 3, and have now progressed to rhythm program. I started last year and am 72 years old!! ”
My long held dream of playing piano
I am 75 yrs young now 2016,and started playing the piano 18 months ago and can now play 40 pieces of music, enrolling with East Coast Music's teacher Joanne has helped me to accomplish my long held dream and overcome my envy of anyone who could play the piano, because now with learning to play the piano it has given me a new purpose in life. When I was 12 yrs old I had the opportunity to learn to play the piano but at the time was more interested in art and sport, was good at art but useless at sport, a good spectator though, so really should have listened to my father then, so my advice to anyone is take on board all opportunities offered you will never know what you are good at until you try. So don't put off until tomorrow what can be done today.
Improved skills and confidence
After almost 40 lessons of “Simply Music” with Joanne I have noticed that 2 features of my piano playing have improved. The first is my skill with and understanding of various types of music from accompaniment to solo pieces and the second is my level of confidence and my ability to tackle new and challenging pieces. Joanne has been extremely patient with me as an adult learner and I am continuing to enjoy every minute of every lesson.
Joanne Davies – Piano teacher Brisbane
Director of East Coast Music
Assoc. Dipl Music QLD Conservatorium
Licensed Kindermusik Teacher since 2001
Member of Music Teachers Assoc QLD since 1998
Piano Teacher
Simply Music Teacher since August 2011
Joanne Davies is the Founder and Director of East Coast Music and is the principal piano teacher.
Learning piano
Joanne began learning to play piano around the age of 12. She received traditional style (reading-based) piano lessons and sat several AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board) exams. As a mature student at the age of 25 years, Joanne was accepted into the Associate Diploma of Music course at the Brisbane Conservatorium of Music, Mackay Campus under the tutorage of Ms Valerie Dickson. Upon graduation Joanne received several prizes one of which was the Highest Prize in Keyboard studies.
Learning difficulties
My daughter, Ella (7 years) has experienced some learning difficulties in the school classroom and I was quite skeptical when she wanted to take on keyboard lessons . I was extremely fortunate to find Joanne and the Simply Music program. Ella has had only 14 lessons and already has a repertoire of 6 songs including contemporary, classical, blues and accompaniment styles. I am truly amazed with her commitment, enjoyment and success within the program. Thanks for bringing music into our family Jo!
A totally different experience
Holly has been learning the Simply Music piano method for 18mths. I have found her teacher Joanne to have a lovely, pleasant teaching manner. I like the way she encourages Holly to enjoy the music and have some fun as well as teaching her to play piano. Her progress is fast enough to motivate her to keep practising (most of the time). It’s a totally different experience from the usual way of learning to play the piano.
It's always lots of fun!
Makayla, 8 years, says about her Simply Music piano lessons.... " It's always lots of fun and I look forward to playing with Jo every week, I just wish the lessons were longer!"
[After having just 36 Simply Music piano lessons Makayla can already play more than 23 songs of various styles including classical, blues, contemporary and accompaniment.]
A totally different experience
Holly has been learning the Simply Music piano method for 18mths. I have found her teacher Joanne to have a lovely, pleasant teaching manner. I like the way she encourages Holly to enjoy the music and have some fun as well as teaching her to play piano. Her progress is fast enough to motivate her to keep practising (most of the time). It’s a totally different experience from the usual way of learning to play the piano.
Highly recommend
After just a couple of weeks with the Simply Music program my daughter was confidently playing her first two songs. She was so excited by her achievement that it gave her the motivation and eagerness to learn more. Week after week, she is adding to her repertoire of songs and has also broadened her skills in composing and improvising too. I’ve been astonished by her progression over a short duration and would highly recommend the Simply Music program to those who would like to see their children gain and flourish a love for music.
Piano Teacher
Joanne starting teaching traditional style piano lessons from 1988 working from home and also for several local music studios on the Central Coast of NSW including Coastal Music Studios and Yamaha.
Kindermusik
Several years later she and husband Paul were blessed with 2 sons and moved to Brisbane. Joanne did Kindermusik training in 2001 and started teaching group Kindermusik classes for newborn to 7 year olds until the end of 2013 in the Redlands area.
Church pianist
In 2004 Joanne joined the music ministry at St Anthony’s Catholic Church at Alexandra Hills as church pianist and continues to play there on a regular basis.
Simply Music piano lessons
In 2011 Joanne completed the training for a non-traditional playing based piano method “Simply Music”. Prior to this Joanne was concerned that the traditional piano approach did not lead all students to a successful outcome and was looking for an alternative. Simply Music uses a single thought process and multi-sensory approach which makes it possible for anyone to learn to play piano regardless of age and ability. Students have lots of fun playing great sounding songs immediately from their very first lessons. Styles include modern, classical and blues.
Piano Accompanist
In 2013 Joanne joined the group Musical Memories as piano accompanist and in 2014 was made Musical Director of the group. Musical Memories consists of a group of volunteer singers/performers who perform regularly in nursing homes, aged care and senior citizen centres around South Brisbane.
