JOLENE HAAR
Piano, Theory, and Composition Teacher
Pianist & Composer
ALL ABOUT ME
I am experienced and passionate piano teacher with over 20 years experience teaching private piano and music theory students.
I currently teach students from beginner to advanced levels, from the age 5 up to adult. All lessons are tailored to fit the needs of individual student.
I continue to study both piano and music theory with highly experienced teachers, both here in Australia and abroad. I study piano with Therese Milanovic (Brisbane, Master teacher of the Taubman Approach (Golandsky Institute, USA)) and music theory with Brett McKern (NSW, AMEB federal theory examiner).
I have travelled twice to the USA to undergo intensive training in the area of piano technique (specifically the Taubman Approach). In 2019 I was selected to perform in a masterclass at the Golandsky Institute's Summer Symposium, at UC Berkley, California, USA.
I am accredited as a teacher of piano, composition and music theory from the NSW music teachers’ association.
I currently run a busy teaching studio located in South Penrith.
Qualifications
2022 - AMusA (AMEB) Theory of Music, Harmony & Counterpoint
2021 - AMusTCL (Trinity College, London), Theory of Music (Awarded with Distinction)
2020 - AMusA (AMEB), Piano Performance
2005 - Graduate Diploma of Secondary Teaching (Christchurch College of Education, NZ)
2004 - MusB(Hons) (University of Otago, NZ)
2000 - DipNZMSM (New Zealand Modern School of Music) Teaching & Theory Diplomas
TESTIMONIALS
We were with another teacher previously who wasn’t primarily a piano player. Though, my child was making steady progress, I could not hear some of the musical detail and nuances that you would normally hear from a piano player. It was interesting to see how much more progress my child made when practical tips about playing piano were being shown to her by Jolene. My child is now more aware of these things and I can already hear some of them in her playing. I think Jolene is better equipped to tackle these issues specific to piano given her experience.
(Emanuel)
Jolene is an excellent piano teacher. She is adjusting our lessons to the level I can understand and working on pieces that I really enjoy. Her encouraging teaching style makes our lessons always enjoyable.
I had basic piano lessons many years ago but decided to study again as an adult. With Jolene’s help, I am now progressing steadily and have gained confidence in playing lovely piano pieces which my friends and family enjoy listening to.
I would highly recommend Jolene to any level piano student. 😊
(Menche)
My two daughters (8 and 9 years old) have recently started learning piano with Jolene. We find her approach to teaching to be fresh, exciting, positive and rewarding. My daughters have a renewed love of the piano. We are very happy.
(Mel)
Our daughter Amber has been a student of Jolene’s for a some time now and we have seen her confidence and skill developing very nicely. Jolene makes the lessons fun and monitors her students development extremely well. We are very grateful as parents that Jolene was able to find a time slot for our daughter to have her weekly lesson.
(Andrew)
My son has been learning piano with Jolene for the last 8 months and has made wonderful progress during that time. Jolene’s lessons provide the structure of goals in working towards AMEB examinations, but students can also work on pieces that move and /or excite them. My son finds Jolene’s lessons to be fun and enjoyable. Her suggestions for mastering the technical aspects of pieces are very useful. Jolene’s excitement regarding musicianship theory is catching and my son is also happy to learn those aspects.
(Christa)
