About MYSELF

Qualifications

I received my Diploma di Pianoforte (equivalent of FMusA and FRSM) with full marks at the Music Conservatoire “Carlo Gesualdo da Venosa” in Potenza (Italy). I performed as a soloist, in chamber music ensembles, and particularly in piano duos. I took part in piano festivals, as well as national and international competitions.

Besides my performing activity, I have been researching Musicology in the field of modern and contemporary music. During my undergraduate years I was recipient of the ERASMUS scholarship, which allowed me to spent nine months in the Music Department of Lancaster University, UK. In 1996 I received my honours degree in Musicology with distinction at the University of Bologna, Italy. In the same year I won a scholarship to study for a 2-year Master of Philosophy in Musicology at City University, London, under the supervision of Prof Rhian Samuel. Here I specialized in the piano music of the Anglo-Indian composer K S Sorabji and my research culminated in a dissertation and critical edition of Sorabji’s Transcendental Study No 99 for piano. During the MPhil I was awarded the Louise Dyer Award, Musica Britannica, which helped me with my postgraduate studies.

 

I have been commissioned for several transcriptions and critical editions, and collaborated with the music publisher Stainer & Bell in London. I have worked for the Artist Management Company Hazard Chase in Cambridge, mainly looking after The Tallis Scholars. I have been the editor of ‘concert-diary’ - an online interactive guide of classical concerts, opera and ballet. I have also carried out freelance work for the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, looking after the museum’s music events.

 

I have performed in Italy and England. In Cambridge I have performed at the West Road Concert Hall, Hughes Hall College, Jesus College Chapel, St. John’s College Master’s Lodge, Trinity College, St Edmund’s College and St Catherine’s College Chapel. I have performed also in the US at Columbia University (New York), Tufts University (Boston) and Brown University (Providence).

 

In January 2007 I completed a placement as visiting music teacher at King’s College School in Cambridge teaching music to year 3 and year 4 children. In December 2008 I deputed for the Head of Keyboard at the Perse Upper School, a senior co-ed independent school in Cambridge. In 2008-9 I have taught Piano and Practical Musicianship at the Perse Prep School, a co-ed independent school in Cambridge.

 

At the end of 2009 I moved with my family to Brisbane, leaving Cambridge where we lived for 12 years. In Brisbane I have taught piano at St Peters Lutheran College and I currently teach piano at the Young Conservatorium, Griffith University in the Developing Musician, Intermediate and Senior programs.

 

I am member of the QMTA (Queensland Music Teachers’ Association) and of the EPTA UK (European Piano Teachers Association). In 2007/08 I served as Secretary and Treasurer of the ISM Cambridge Centre (Incorporated Society of Musicians).

 

I am an accredited Associate Teacher of the Tobin Music System, a method that teaches the rudiments of music, harmonization and composition to children.

 

I regularly adjudicate piano competitions/Eisteddfodau and I am a piano examiner for the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB).

 

I hold a Blue Card which allows me to work with children in Australia.

 

A bit more about myself

My main interests outside piano teaching are ballet and Latin dancing. I have trained at the Russian Ballet School for adults in Cambridge and took exams with the National Association of Teachers of Dancing.

 

I am a very lively and active person and I particularly enjoy skiing and swimming. I also love reading, paper crafting and, as a true Italian, I really enjoy cooking!

 

I have two sons, Alessio and Thomas who have learnt the piano with me, and play the cello, the saxophone and bass guitar.