Teacher

For me, teaching is all about helping my students discover new possibilities within music and within themselves. Over the last two decades I have established private studios in Canberra, Amsterdam, Vienna and now Adelaide and online. I currently have a thriving studio of primarily adult students including advanced pianists, piano teachers, collaborative pianists, and a composer. I also teach enthusiastic amateurs, some of whom are taking the first steps in their musical journey or returning to the instrument after many years. My studio includes limited after-school places for advanced school-age students. Studio successes have included acceptance into the Elder Conservatorium of Music and the Marryatville High School Specialist Music Program, high school music scholarships, and multiple High Distinctions in AMEB exams.

Regardless of a student’s level, every piece of repertoire provides us with an opportunity to expand their understanding of how music works and how to bring it to life. Using my expertise in the Taubman Approach, I work together with each student to replace excess tension with healthy, efficient movement, thereby developing both ease of technique and freedom of expression.

I’m delighted to support my students if they wish to explore a particular area of interest or as they prepare for an upcoming project. Recent examples include a school teacher wanting to learn all of Bach’s 3-part inventions, a choir accompanist preparing scores for rehearsals and concerts, a university student undertaking several months of intensive tuition leading up to an AMusA exam, and a retiree wishing to change their technique and play without pain. Whatever the context, my constant aim is to foster the confidence, capability and enthusiasm of each student, and to develop their unique artistic voice. 

Each year, my regular adult students have the opportunity to participate in an informal studio workshop, collaborating with a singer or instrumentalist. For others wanting to rediscover the joy of piano playing, or find more ease and facility in their playing, I run a supportive and informal small-group short course, The “Never Too Late” Piano Club. I am also co-ordinator of the Elder Conservatorium Open Music Academy Continuing Education Program.

As a performer I’ve given recitals at venues including Ukaria Cultural Centre (South Australia), Het Bethaniënklooster (Amsterdam, The Netherlands), and the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts (NZ). I’ve worked for Opera Queensland, State Opera of South Australia, Bel Canto in Tuscany Summer Opera School (Italy) and the WAAPA International Art Song Academy. I’ve also been an examiner and presenter for the AMEB and adjudicated the National Liederfest (Melbourne) and the SA final of the 5MBS Young Virtuoso Award. In 2026 I presented a paper, “Lifelong Possibility at the Piano: Neuroscience-Informed Teaching for Adult Learners”, at the Australasian Piano Pedagogy Conference.

  • Golandsky Institute certified Taubman Approach Instructor
    (training supported by the Government of South Australia)

  • PhD, The University of Adelaide

  • MA (Liedkorrepetition), Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien (Austria)

  • BMus, Conservatorium van Amsterdam (The Netherlands)

  • BMus Hons. (University Medal), Australian National University

Qualifications:

About lessons with me

I also provide consultations for pianists and piano teachers wanting to learn more about the the benefits of the Taubman Approach, whether for their own playing or in order to help their students. Teachers are welcome to bring student repertoire and/or videos of their students’ playing for discussion.

Get in touch to discuss your playing or teaching, and how we might tailor lessons to best suit you.

My students take weekly, fortnightly and ad-hoc lessons, either in person or via Zoom.

Get in touch

Testimonials

  • "Penny has enthusiasm for breaking down and solving technical problems and the ability to articulate and demonstrate clearly and in an imaginative and often humorous way.  I have come away from every lesson excited, inspired and motivated to improve.

    Penny has helped me overcome technical issues in my playing through giving appropriate and detailed practice strategies, often from the Taubman Approach. Her encouragement and support have given me some much needed confidence in performing. I have also gained more confidence in my own teaching, especially with regard to teaching the higher grades."

    Carol Bromley, pianist and piano teacher

  • “Penny has an approach to teaching that I have found very helpful. For me, she focused on fixing technical difficulties first, before focusing on aspects like interpretation. The different ideas she comes up with to fix technical difficulties, such as changing fingering or moving my arm placement, have helped me fix many different issues I have had in my piano playing.

    I have also greatly appreciated Penny’s positive teaching style that has made me leave each lesson feeling that I can achieve the goals we have set. I was excited for my AMusA exam, which was a total change from how I was feeling about it a couple of months before!” 

    Abigail Fandrich

  • "Penny is an exceptional teacher with an incredible depth of knowledge and attention to detail. When I first started, I struggled to play a piece in time, but under her guidance, I've not only overcome that challenge but can now effortlessly maintain an inner pulse. She possesses the remarkable ability provide intuitive techniques that yield immediate improvement. After two years of lessons, I can confidently say that I've gained a completely new perspective on piano playing. Grateful for the transformative journey with such a dedicated and talented teacher like Penny!"

    Leo Zhang, conservatorium student

  • “I last had regular piano lessons at 20 and now, 50 years later, I have learnt new skills and appreciated old familiar pieces becoming revitalised and appearing new again. I have been inspired by Penny’s unconstrained enthusiasm, her respect and care for the different learning paths we are all on and her ability to translate her vast experiences and knowledge to simple metaphors and guiding principles. For example, “Am I balanced? Am I committed?”, while applied to my approach to the keyboard, could just as easily be instructions for life! I have loved sharing the learning with fellow students. It is purposeful work and a complete joy.”

    Sue Mann

  • “Penny uses the Taubman Approach which is different from anything I've ever done over 62 years of piano playing and I'm 'hooked’!

    We have worked on all kinds of choral accompaniments together. Penny states that ‘I just need more information’ when I’m stumbling on something. That reframing has helped me enormously. She comes up with practical solutions to my technical challenges. Working on where my body is, the positioning of my hands, the timing of their movements, and Penny’s approach to fingering have all combined to help me play more rhythmically and more consistently.”

    Jenny Donovan

The
“Never Too Late” Piano Club

Rediscover the joy of playing the piano!

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Photos: Kate Elmes, Lester Wong