WOODWIND
Woodwind Teachers
Derek J Galloway
Flute Teacher
Derek studied flute with Sheena Cochrane art Napier University Edinburgh and with Sheena Gordon (Scottish Chamber Orchestra)
Derek is an Associate of Trinity Collet of Music London, has a Diploma in Music from the Open University, is a body-minded practitioner, is the NSW representative of the “British Flute Society” and is a committee member of “The Flute Society of NSW”.
He played professionally for many years and was founder member and played with “Zonda Flutes” an award-winning flute trio based in Glasgow. He also played flute with “Glasgow Wind Band one of Europe’s premier symphonic wind orchestras.
Diane Gardiner
Clarinet Teacher
As a clarinettist and student of Deborah de Graaff, Diane’s foundational orchestral memberships included the Sydney Youth Orchestra, the Sydney Wind Orchestra, the SBS Television Youth Orchestra and the Pro Musica Orchestra (Sydney University).
Diane was bass clarinettist in the Australian Wind Orchestra tour of Europe and the USA in 1991. In 1992 Diane won the prestigious Queen’s Silver Jubilee Award for Young Australians, furthering her studies as a woodwind technician in Europe. Diane is a member of NAPBIRT Association ABODA (Australian Bands & Orchestra Directors Association) and has spoken at numerous local and international conventions.
Jennifer Knight
Flute Teacher, Conductor (Conspirito CFE)
Jennifer Knight earned her Bachelor and Masters degrees from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and her Postgraduate Diploma of Performance from the Royal College of Music (London).
Jennifer was first prize-winner at the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition (all instruments) and has performed on summer scholarships in France, Italy, Germany, Scotland, and England. She underwent her main orchestral training in London before joining the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, among other orchestras, as a regular freelancer.
Joanne Arnott
Woodwind Teacher/Band Conductor
Like many young children, Central Coast Conservatorium of Music woodwind teacher and Schools Program Band Conductor Joanne Arnott’s first music performance experience came when she joined her school’s recorder club. No sooner had she mastered the recorder, Jo then picked up the clarinet – firmly cementing her love of all things woodwind.
While proving herself adept at playing a wide variety of woodwind instruments, it is the recorder which has always held a special place in Joanne’s heart.
She went on to gain both her A.Mus.A and L.Mus.A in recorder – AMEB diplomas awarded by examination to outstanding candidates in the fields of musical performance and music theory – and a first class honours Bachelor of Music Performance and Master of Music Performance from Sydney Conservatorium.
A founding member of The Australian Recorder Project, Joanne has taught recorder, clarinet and flute for 20 years and saxophone for eight. With a love of medieval and baroque music, Jo also tutors at early music workshops and has performed extensively with early music ensembles as a recorder player.
Joanne said it is her dream to build an early music ensemble and recorder consort at the CCCM, and is excited to be starting this initiative as part of the Schools Program this year.
“I love medieval and baroque music, as I find it mesmerising and calming both to listen to and to play. The florid ornamentation of the late baroque period is particularly stunning and rewarding to play.”
An enthusiastic music teacher, Joanne said she is passionate about creating a rewarding learning environment and instilling confidence in her students.
“I love to inspire students to learn and feel excited and passionate about music, and to help create a community in which music is an integral part of everyday life.”
Kevin Smith
Clarinet & Saxophone Teacher, Conductor (PWE & School Bands)
Kevin Smith is a clarinet and saxophone teacher who studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with Elizabeth Lim and has performed and toured extensively with youth orchestras and chamber ensembles both regional and internationally including the Sydney Youth Orchestra, Knox Abbotsleigh Youth Orchestra and the Sydney Youth Orchestra Philharmonic.
Kevin accompanied the Sydney Youth Orchestra Philharmonic on their regional tour in 2008 as soloist, performing the Artie Shaw Clarinet Concerto culminating in a performance of the work at the Sydney Opera House.
PATRICK BRENNAN
Artistic Director, Conductor (CCPWE & School Bands)
Patrick Brennan attained his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and as a professional bassoonist performed with Australia’s leading orchestras for 15 years before pursuing a career as a conductor.
He participated in the Symphony Australia Conductor Development Program whilst directing several school and community bands and symphonic wind ensembles. In 2020 Patrick won a coveted position in the Australian Conducting Academy, working with the Tasmania Symphony Orchestra.
Rachel Tolmie
Oboe Teacher, Musicianship Teacher
Oboist, Cor Anglais player and instrumental music teacher, studied at the Sydney Conservatorium, gaining her Fellowship of Music Australia in Oboe Performance. She then undertook a Post-Graduate Diploma at the Royal College of Music London, graduating with distinction, specialising in both cor anglais and oboe performance.
Rachel is particularly interested in performing and recording the cor anglais repertoire as it is both extensive and largely unknown.
Rosalie Bourne
Head of Woodwind, Flute Teacher
Central Coast Conservatorium flute teacher Rosalie Bourne credits her first music teacher – and listening to her grandmother play classical pieces on the piano – with igniting her passion for music.
“I began to play the flute when I was seven and my wonderful teacher, Nicola Snekker, developed my musicality as well as my skill as a flute player,” says Rosalie, who plays many instruments but says her ‘first love’ is the flute.
“She encouraged and challenged me and was instrumental in my decision to further my studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.”
No wonder then that now, as a highly-respected flute player and teacher, Rosalie enjoys nurturing and developing her own students.
“Whether they are beginners picking up their flute for the very first time or much more experienced players, it is the students that make me want to come to work each day.”
While there have been many highlights during her music career Rosalie says “the most rewarding have been the achievements of my students and sharing in their and their families’ happiness as they celebrate”.
Rosalie brings broad-ranging skills and experience to the classroom, with years also spent working in the corporate sector as an HR consultant for companies including IBM, Ilco Unican and NSW Department of Commerce.
She has also owned and operated her own flute studio and performed with a number of orchestras and played for several audio productions. Recent recordings include Random Earth Band’s album Ocean Song and Christoper Sainsbury’s 2016 Scar Tree for Primal Dance Company.
Rosalie has worked as both a classroom music teacher and flute tutor teacher in public and private primary and high schools across Sydney and the Central Coast. Now in a senior teaching role at the Central Coast Conservatorium, Rosalie gives private lessons as well as teaching with the Conservatorium’s Schools Program and developing flute ensembles
She says her primary aim at the Conservatorium is to help students develop and achieve their own goals as flute players. “For those who choose to do so, I know I can assist them gain outstanding results in their grade exams,” says Rosalie, adding that past students have achieved top results in trial and HSC music performances (Music 1, Music 2 and Extension).
“They have also been successful in gaining entry into tertiary music courses, have been selected for student development opportunities with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Staatskapelle Berlin (the resident orchestra of the Berlin State Opera).”
About Rosalie
An active and committed member of the Australian flute community Rosalie completed both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and has studied with Suzie Miller, Michael Scott, James Kortum and Janet Webb, as well as participating in masterclasses with many international artists.
Rosalie has written several technique publications including Grow Your Technique for all band instruments – a NSW Department of Education cross-curricular technique extension for Stages 2-3 Band Program students.
She also founded the Central Coast Summer Flutation Event (2015-2018) and has helped manage the Australian Flute Festival (2013, 2015). Rosalie has also been invited to be an adjudicator at the NSW Flute Society Eisteddfod and guest teacher and masterclass presenter at Sydney Flute School.
