Meet The Team
If you are interested in joining the team at Epics Music please
Complete this form or contact Christine on the details below.
04 31 435 016
Christine Buurman
Founder & Director, Principal Piano Teacher
Christine, the founder & director of Epics Music, is a composer and music teacher who completed her Bachelor of Music (Composition) at the Sydney Conservatorium in 2008. Christine has been tutoring since age 16, and has worked with world class Australian composers and is highly qualified for piano lessons and other musical needs. Christine has also completed further studies in Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Kindermusik Training, The Voices of Autism (MOOC through Torrens University).
In the 2018 Local Business Awards, Epics music was a finalist for Outstanding Educational Services and Christine was honoured as a finalist for Outstanding Business Person of the Year.
Residing in beautiful Kiama, New South Wales, Christine has been teaching for over 15 years & focused interest is in finding new ways to help those with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) through music.
Melody Tough
Senior Piano Teacher
Melody has always been surrounded by music and is passionate about passing on the skills she’s learned to up and coming musicians. She is classically trained in piano and is beginning a Bachelor of Creative Arts, majoring in Music at the University of Wollongong in 2024. Melody has been teaching the piano privately for the last 5 years, and has been heavily involved in leading music at her local church and in other various music ministries throughout Sydney. She is eager to pursue music therapy, which combines her passions for music and caring for people and their mental well-being.
Melody’s favourite aspects of teaching include getting to have fun with her students, making learning the piano an enjoyable experience, and seeing student’s skills and confidence grow over time. She thinks that music is one of the best gifts God has given us, apart from His Son, and is keen to use the gifts He’s given her to bring glory to His name.
Alex O'Toole
Principal Drum Teacher
Alex is a Sydney-based drummer with over 20 years music industry experience and 10 years teaching experience. He specialises in progressive and alternative niches of rock, has chaired multiple performances and recording projects in pop, roots, and swing bands, and is currently looking forward to a 2023 EU/UK tour with orchestral math-rock group SEIMS.
Alex's focus in education is to facilitate intentional delivery and control while providing understanding of style and context, and to promote a love of music beyond just a love of drumming.
Jai Cole
Senior Guitar and Bass Teacher
Jai has been playing electric guitar for almost a decade and sharing his love for the instrument with his students. Last year, Jai received a Band 6 in Music 1 and was a nominee for the prestigious HSC Encore performances. Currently, Jai frequently plays electric guitar at his church whilst also studying for a bachelor's in music at University of Wollongong. He enjoys listening to Christian rock music as well as Jazz fusion.
Jai's goal is to see kids grow in their understanding of guitar so that they may share in the awesomeness of making/playing music with others.
Naomi Parker
Senior Singing Teacher
Naomi is a local singer songwriter and is currently studying her Associate Diploma in Singing Teaching through the Australian College of Vocal Arts. She is excited to bring her extended knowledge to her students to help them achieve their musical and singing goals. Naomi is an experienced performer having showcased her talents at venues such as Relay for Life, ONE Music Festival and local school fetes. She has also been performing in local Musical Theatre since 2017 in shows such as Mary Poppins, Annie, Aladdin Jr and Sound of Music. She is now a part of the Vocal Team for Frozen Jr with Junior Albartoss Musicals (JAM) in Nowra. In her spare time she loves to write and arrange her original songs based in the Christian Contemporary genre.
Jane Gillis
Senior Piano Teacher
Jane has a Bachelor of Education and worked as a Primary School Teacher for four years before taking a break to be a stay-at-home parent to her two young daughters. She has played the piano for thirty years, studying music theory and practise through the AMEB grades as well as playing for her own enjoyment. Jane is working towards obtaining the Australian Kodaly Certificate, an internationally recognised program for teaching singing and music to children from age 0. She is passionate about the importance of music in children’s lives and has experience teaching preschool aged children as well as children with a variety of learning needs.
Dash King
Assosiate Piano Teacher
Dash is an enthusiastic Year 12 pianist who has been playing the keyboard in the Jamberoo Anglican church band for over three years. Dash actively volunteers at the kids' club to assist with managing and encouraging children of primary school age. Currently pursuing level 6 of the Suzuki Method, Dash has had the privilege of performing at the prestigious Sydney Opera House on multiple occasions. Alongside his musical endeavors, he is dedicated to achieving his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, composing an original song, and preparing Villa-Lobos's 'Dance of the White Indian' for his highly anticipated HSC performance in 2024.
Music is undeniably Dash's greatest passion, with a particular affinity for the works of Bach and Debussy. He is eager to inspire others through teaching and hopes to impart his enthusiasm and knowledge to budding musicians.
Victoria Morris
Voice, Piano, Keyboard and Composition.
Victoria is a talented musician who graduated with Distinctions in 2019 from the Bachelor of Creative Arts majoring in Music. Victoria has been performing since age 7 and was very involved in musical theatre at the Mittagong PlayHouse.
In 2018 the indi-rock band Ducey Muncs formed in which Victoria is the lead singer, keyboardist and song-writer. Ducey Muncs has done many gigs from the Heritage Hotel, Beaches and the Yours and Owls music festival in 2019.
Apply Today
If you are interested in joining the team at Epics Music please contact Christine on the details below.
04 31 435 016