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Music Theory Lessons

Music theory lessons are a vital part of any musical education and provide substantial background knowledge needed to understand how music is constructed.

Theory lessons generate a broad musical understanding that directly supports instrumental and vocal learning. With practical methods that take students beyond short-term rote-learning, WollCon offers a comprehensive theory program that provides students with the skills needed for deeper understanding, leading to excellence in musical interpretation.

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Junior Elementary Music Theory Lessons

DAY & TIME
Wednesday 4.00pm-5.00pm
Thursday 4.00pm-5.00pm

AGE GROUP
Ages 9+

FEE
$220 per 9 week term

TEACHERS

John Spence

Elementary theory lessons and aural training for primary school aged children. Children generally need to be at least 9 years of age and have a year’s experience on an instrument before taking theory lessons.

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Individual Music Theory & Composition Lessons

Music Lessons: Theory & Composition

Theory | Aural | Composition

Time:
30min | 45min | 1hr once a week

Fees:

DurationPer TermPer Lesson
30 min$497.00$55.22
45 min$733.00$81.44
60 min$965.00$107.22

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High School Elementary Music Theory Lessons

DAY & TIME
Monday 4.00pm-5.00pm
Tuesday 4.00pm-5.00pm
Wednesday 5.00pm-6.00pm

AGE GROUP
Ages 11+

FEE
$220 per 9 week term

TEACHERS

John Spence

Elementary theory lessons provide rudimentary theory course work to a 3rd-grade theory level. High-School-age beginners are welcome at any stage of their schooling.

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High School Advanced Music Theory Lessons

DAY & TIME
Tuesday 5.00pm-6.00pm
Wednesday 5.00pm-6.00pm

AGE GROUP
Ages 11+

FEE
$220 per 9 week term

TEACHERS

John Spence

Advanced theory lessons align with 4th to 6th-grade theory levels. These classes provide full preparation for all AMEB theory curriculums including theory and musicianship.

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HSC Music Theory Support Lessons

DAY & TIME
Monday 6.00pm-7.00pm (Year 11 - Music 2)
Tuesday 6.00pm-7.00pm (Year 12 - Music 2)
Thursday 6.00pm-7.00pm (Years 11 & 12 - Music 1)

AGE GROUP
Ages 15+

FEE
$220 per 9 week term

TEACHERS

John Spence

These are specialized tutoring classes that support the NSW HSC curriculum including Music 1 and Music 2 for both year 11 and year 12. The classwork is independent of schoolwork and focuses on the development of the core skills that underpin an advanced outcome. This includes concepts-based analysis, score reading, composition training and aural transcriptions.

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Jazz Music Theory Lessons

DAY & TIME
Monday 5.00pm-6.00pm

AGE GROUP
Ages 11+

FEE
$220 per 9 week term

TEACHERS

John Spence

Our Jazz theory lessons are a comprehensive course in jazz-based chord-scale theory. The classwork focuses on written analysis and aural development including transcription. This class is suitable for jazz-playing students as well as students who play all forms of contemporary music.

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Adult Music Theory Lessons

DAY & TIME
Monday 7.00pm-8.00pm

AGE GROUP
Ages 18+

FEE
$220 per 9 week term

TEACHERS

John Spence

Adults of any ability level are welcome to join our adult music theory lessons. Students are provided with course work that will support their level. Each student is encouraged to progress at their own pace.

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submit an application

Your
Teacher

John Spence
John Spence

Guitar, In Schools, Leadership, Piano, Theory/Aural/Composition

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Wollongong Conservatorium is located on Dharawal country. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, celebrate their continuing culture and the contribution First Nations people make to the life of this region and our country.

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Wollongong Conservatorium of Music is funded by the NSW Government through the Regional Conservatorium Grants Program

© 2023 Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Limited (a Company Limited by Guarantee) ABN 31 080 489 685 Trading as Wollongong Conservatorium of Music
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Dr Sue Savage

Director

Sue is an accomplished and seasoned manager with a wealth of experience in government administration and community service delivery. With a strong background in strategic planning, organisational development, community engagement, project planning, and building strategic partnerships, Sue has consistently demonstrated her leadership and expertise and brings a wealth of knowledge to the board. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business focusing on Local Government and Creative Industries from the University of Wollongong, reflecting her commitment to public service and innovative leadership. Sue’s extensive career and dedication to community and social service make her a valuable asset, offering both strategic insight and practical experience to drive meaningful impact.

Anne Mowbray

Director

Anne has been a member of the Wollcon Board since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from UNSW. She is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and an accredited Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. She has taught family law and other subjects at Wollongong University.

For a number of years she has been a subscriber to the Australian Chamber Orchestra which regularly performs in Wollongong . She has been passionate about music and in particular music education to children and adults.

Jake Pearson

Director

Jake has worked in the disability sector for 24 years- 17 of these with Interchange and 7 years as their CEO. Jake is passionate about inclusion and equality for both people with disability and their carers.

He holds an MBA, Bachelor of Commerce, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, as well as completing Diploma’s in Case Management, Community Services Coordination and the AICD Company Directors Course.

Jake is also a committee member on the International Short Breaks Association Board and has been a Director on the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Board since 2022.

Wayne Morris

Director

Wayne is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as being a qualified company secretary and accountant with over 35 years experience in banking and finance. He performed for nine of those years as Chief Executive of IMB Ltd, and the preceding seven years as Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, also with IMB. Wayne’s primary expertise is in the areas of governance, management, accounting, risk management and banking and finance. He has spent his whole life living in the Illawarra and is passionate about ensuring the Illawarra can provide the best possible opportunities and lifestyle for its residents. In 2024 Wayne was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the community.

Dr Terumi Narushima

Deputy Chair

Dr Terumi Narushima is a senior lecturer and Music Discipline Leader at the University of Wollongong. She is a composer, performer and sound designer specialising in microtonal tuning systems. Her works include Tritriadic Chimes, a sound installation for LA MicroFest, Hidden Sidetracks, a composition for custom-made instruments premiered by Ensemble Offspring at Sydney Opera House, and a project to build microtonal flutes using 3D printing. She has worked on theatre collaborations which have been presented nationally and internationally, including Yasukichi Murakami: Through a Distant Lens, Lost in Shanghai, and The Story of Chi. She performs with microtonal ensemble Clocks and Clouds, and her book Microtonality and the Tuning Systems of Erv Wilson is published by Routledge.

Nicky Sloan

Chair

Nicky is the CEO of Community Industry Group. She has degrees in Dementia Care, Community & Environment and Marketing, and a Grad Dip in Project Management. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Honorary Fellow of UOW. In addition to Chairing the WollCon Board, she is Deputy Chair of the Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven Board and an Independent Non-Executive Director of Warrigal, a large not-for-profit specialising in the provision of services for older people.

Her corporate governance and strategy experience extends through a 20+ year career on boards in the corporate, government and NFP sectors.