Meet The Team

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.
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Anita Grassy
Piano and Voice
Anita has a background in piano and vocal performance. She has performed at cafes and private functions throughout Southern Sydney and the Illawarra over the last 10 years. Trained classically in her developing years, she expanded into contemporary and worship music in her late teens, regularly leading worship at her local church.
Anita has an interest in making music accessible for neurodivergent individuals, developing music literacy and building confidence in performance. She has been teaching privately since 2014, incorporating composition as students learn to play fun and engaging songs. Anita completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts in Music from the University of Wollongong in 2017 and has further pursued a Master of Teaching, allowing her to develop skills in music and art pedagogy.
Ever the learner, she is currently studying post graduate Art Therapy to further explore the possibility of the visual and performing arts in aiding personal development. Anita is currently composing a suite for Piano Trio inspired by the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh to be performed late in 2023.

Evan Batkin
Saxophone, Clarinet and Flute
Evan is a multi talented musician who can play a range of woodwind instruments. His instrument of choice being the Saxophone.
Evan was a member of the band Tommy M and the Mastersounds for 5 years and performed all over the state including the Kiama Jazz and Blue festivals.
Evan is studying his Masters of Teaching at the University of Wollongong whilst teaching at Shellharbour Anglican College as a peripatetic teacher.
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Jenny Bell
Piano and Keyboard
Jenny graduated from the Australian Institute of Music in 2005 and obtained her Masters in Church Music at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas in 2011. She has had over 20 years of experience in piano teaching and finds joy in helping her students in their piano learning and nurturing their love for music. Jenny also loves being part of her church community where she has the privilege of sharing her gift of playing music and singing.

Alex O'Toole
Drums
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.

Naomi Parker
Voice
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.

Maggie Flynn
Acoustic & Bass Guitar.
Maggie teaches guitar while currently finishing year 12. Maggie has been involved in her church band for around five years, playing a variety of instruments and also leading kids church programs.
Maggie loves teaching because she enjoy playing very much; as a hobby, a discipline and a form of escapism - it’s great to be able to pass that on. Having a soft spot for indie, country and film music, Maggie loves a variety of music. After graduating she intend to pursue law and the arts at university and spend more time in church ministry programs.

Jane Gillis
Piano and Keyboard
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.
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Dash King
Piano - Student 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