Piano Studies Staff

Thomas Griffiths, BMus(Hons) RNCM BACanterbury LRSM LTCL
Internationally trained Tom Griffiths has recently taken a position as official accompanist at the Melba Conservatorium. Tom’s role at the Melba has expanded to tutoring Single Studies students through their AMEB. levels in piano as well as accompanying auditions, Melba choir, performance classes, student recitals and performing at Melba Conservatorium concerts.

Dr Michael Giddens, PhDMelb MEdMelb BMusMelb LicDalcrozeInstGeneva DipWisconsin
Dr. Michael Giddens has a number of academic qualifications that include a Doctor of Philosophy in Music from the University of Melbourne, and has been honoured with many scholarships and awards throughout his studies. Apart from lecturing in Solfege and aural training at the Melba Conservatorium, Michael directs the activities of Studio Rhythmic in Kew, a private musicianship teaching practice catering to both teachers and students; is a senior examiner for the AMEB and is a postgraduate thesis examiner for the University of Melbourne.

Rosa Scaffidi, BMusVicMelbaCon LMusA AMusA FTCL
Rosa Scaffidi began piano at the age of 4, and began performing at the age of 8. She has recieved many qualifications, graduating from the Melba Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Music and four high distinctions. In 1997, Rosa recieved a Fellowship in Performance from the Trinity College of London, with Honours. She is a Golden Key International Scholar for outstanding academic excellence.
Rosa performs at many venues around Melbourne, giving solo recitals and also accompanying and teaching. She has worked with the Australian Ballet, National Ballet, Victorian College of the Arts Ballet School and Royal Academy of Dancing as Major Pianist. Also, she has worked with many singers from Opera Australia as Vocal Coach.
Currently, Rosa is on staff at the Melba as Official Accompanist, Piano Lecturer, and Performer. She is also on scholarship at the Victorian College of the Arts, where she is completing a Masters Degree in Performance. Rosa is studying with the esteemed Professor Ronald Farren-Price, one of Australia's musical icons. Rosa hopes to go overseas to further her career, and to represent Australia on an international level.

Brigid Burke, MMusMelb AMusA
Brigid Burke is a composer, clarinet soloist, visual artist, and educator. She has performed and composed extensively in solo and chamber recitals through acoustic and electronic mediums, both nationally and internationally. Most recently 2000 Sonic Residues Festival, solo concerts at PATO Adelaide, Australia featuring her original clarinet, live / prerecorded electronics and video compositions funded by the Australia Council Performing Arts Board. In 1999 ABC commission on New Music Australia, BEAT International Gamelan Festival, 1996 Experimenta, Victorian Arts Centre Sunday Live, 1994 and 1997 Composing Women’s Festival and 1995-1998 Melbourne International Festivals. She has won eleven Japanese art awards and exhibited through out Japan in from 1989-2000. Awards and grants include Buckland Room Foundation, the South Australian Government and Australia Council for commissions and performances of her compositions. As a freelance performer / composer Brigid is broadcast on ABCFM as well as local and overseas radio. Her most recent CD recordings are INTERSECT, TRI DUO and BURKE & WILMOT which have been reviewed and broadcast internationally. Brigid has a Master of Music in Composition from the University of Melbourne.

Ken Murray, MMusMelb BMus(Hons)Melb
Prominent classical guitarist Ken Murray studied both his Bachelor and Master of Music at the University of Melbourne, where he was the recipient of a number of scholarships and awards. Since touring and performing in Portugal, London, Amsterdam, Spain and recording a CD, ‘Madrugada’, with Jeannie Marsh and a CD of Australian guitar music, "Between Earth and Air", Ken has taught guitar at a number of schools and universities. Currently teaching at the University of Melbourne Ken also teaches Single Studies guitar and has recently taken on a number of guitar students enrolled at the Melba.

Lorenzo Capitanio, BMusVicMelbaCon BA(Hons)Latrobe CertIVAsst&WkpceTrngVU

Lorenzo Capitanio is an organist, keyboardist, composer, and music educator. He studied at the Melba Conservatorium of Music completing a Diploma of Music in 1994, and later returned to complete his Bachelor of Music in 1998. Lorenzo continued his studies at Latrobe University completing a Bachelor of Arts with honours in 1999. Lorenzo is currently undertaking a Masters in Music Education at Monash University. Lorenzo currently lectures in several areas of music studies at the Melba Conservatorium of Music, Victoria University, and Box Hill Institute and conducts private electronic organ, piano, and keyboard tuition. For further information please visit Lorenzos website.

Peter Hurley, BMusVicMelbaCon AYMF (PnoTchg) LYMF (Electone&Fund’ls)
After obtaining his Licentiate Diploma in Electone and Associate Diploma in Piano Peter Hurley spent a number of years performing around Australia. After being awarded Best Orchestrative Organist (National) in 1978 and Best Classical Organist (National) in 1979 Peter branched into teaching, examining and adjudicating at eisteddfods. Currently Peter teaches for the Yamaha Foundation, guest lectures at the University of Melbourne and teaches History of Music 1 and Music Business Studies as well as electone at the Melba Conservatorium of Music.

Peter Draper, LMusA STCA (Pri)
Guitar teacher Peter Draper began his full-time music career with the formation of the Bennelong Trio at the Sydney Opera House. After performing in a number of jazz bands around Sydney and recording with the Trio, Peter moved to the USA where he studied with Leo Brouwer (Cuban), Turibio Santos (Brazilian) and Michael Lorimer (USA). During his time in the USA Peter played on a number of television and radio programs in California, taught at San Francisco Conservatory and toured with the San Francisco Contemporary Chamber Orchestra. Upon returning to Australia Peter played concerts for Musica Viva and the Classical Guitar Society of Melbourne as well as touring Victoria, Tasmania and WA for state Arts Councils. After further tours in Japan and Indonesia Peter has concentrated on his recording and composing work, live performances, and teaching privately and at the Melba Conservatorium.

Helen Qian Zhang, BMusMelb BComMelb MMusMelb LMusA AMusA

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