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our teachers
JAMES leigh
Piano/Guitar/Bass
James Leigh a musical child prodigy whose rise to fame in the 1980s as a significant member of Pseudo Echo, one of Australia’s greatest and most successful music exports, confirmed his reputation as one of Australia’s most respected musical virtuosos.
Multi-talented, AMEB classically trained and nationally renowned, he has written and produced numerous top 4o hits, both nationally and internationally, writing his first ARIA Top 5 hit at the ripe age of 16years old and been the recipient of gold and platinum records and music awards from across the globe including such territories as Europe, North America, UK, Japan, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
His mixing/production credits include Human Nature, Snoop Dogg, Tina Arena, Pseudo Echo, Invertigo, Taxiride, Kate Ceberano and a slew of others. He has exceptional and extensive experience in the music industry as the consummate musician, songwriter, producer, teacher and artist.
He has toured internationally and nationwide with Pseudo Echo, Invertigo and as musical director for Tina Arena.
He has shared the stage with some of the world’s most popular acts including Culture Club, Stevie Wonder, Bon Jovi, Pet Shop Boys and Jamiroquai, as well as a who’s who of Australian music.
He has been both a performing and session musician with credits that span film, advertising and TV. He has appeared on innumerable TV shows across the globe including US talk shows, MTV, American Bandstand, Top of the Pops and far too many to mention Australian TV appearances. He is co-director of Cultivator Records and co-founder of the Refinery School of Music School.
Drums/Piano/Song-Writing
vince leigh
Vince Leigh has over thirty years experience in all fields of the music industry. He has worked internationally and nationwide as a drummer and songwriter for such artists as Pseudo Echo, Invertigo and Tina Arena.
Since that time he has toured the world numerous times, written and produced multiple top 40 chart hits. Vince’s up-front drumming style is unconventional and dynamic and part of the key to his success as one of the most revered drummers in Australia.
He has a reputation as a showman musician, and though he has incorporated this into his teaching style, he maintains a rigorous observance of the disciplinary foundations of technical proficiency. He has been the recipient of gold and platinum records and music awards from across the globe including Europe, North America, UK, Japan, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Vince was the co-writer of the Grand Prize winning song at the World Popular Song Festival.
He holds a master’s degree in creative writing from RMIT and was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript for his novel Baroque Days.
He has shared the stage with some of the world’s most popular acts including Culture Club, Stevie Wonder, Bon Jovi, Pet Shop Boys and Jamiroquai, as well as a who’s who of Australian music including Cold Chisel, The Angels, Skyhooks, Australian Crawl, Divinyls and John Farnham. He is co-director of Cultivator Records.
kathleen halloran
Guitar/Bass
ricky muscat
Vocal/Song-writing
Ricky Muscat is a unique artist on the Australian music scene, coming to the attention of the Australian public in 2006 when he became a crowd favourite with his amazing success on Australian Idol.
Ricky soon became a household name with a reputation that was further enhanced when he continued his run of TV successes displaying his prodigious vocal talent to millions of viewers across Australia while appearing on various television shows, culminating with an unforgettable performance at the AFL Grand Final. as well as various Television Performances, the Sydney Opera house, A national Tour and many special appearances.
Ricky has immense Performance Experience and has worked in various cover bands and corporate acts across the country and overseas. Ricky has supported international acts such as Billboard No.1 Artist "Maxi Priest", “Ashanti”, "112", "Marcia Hines" and "Daryl Braithwaite". Ricky is an experienced musician with over 20 years in the business working in working with several ensembles, bands and musicians for many events, weddings, corporate events and functions across Australia and the world making Ricky one of the best in the business.
Ricky has trained and performed internationally with vast experience in music education in the UK, France, USA and Italy. and has studied various styles of modern singing. A highlight was receiving the highest mark in Australia for Grade 8 Rockschool (London) as well as completing the Certificate in Performance from AMEB. He has also successfully completed a Diploma of Music Performance with RSL Awards (London).
Ricky’s career was bolstered in 2014 when he released two singles Girlfriend and Selfish. His debut and sophomore recordings garnered huge support at radio at a national level highlighting in two top 50 iTunes chart positionsHe is currently performing with his solo original music, which has seen success across Australia with Radio and Commercial Airplay, as well as working in a Popular Melbourne Corporate Band and Acoustic Duo.
The level of Ricky’s skills as a performer, vocalist, writer, teacher and artist is unparalleled, and his superlative experience enables him to coach and mentor with a peerless proficiency that is not only the result of his celebrated success and accomplishments but his exceptional dedication to the craft.
michelle fornito
Vocal
As one of Melbourne’s top female vocalists, Mish has shared the stage with some of Australia’s most iconic artists such as Diesel, Darryl Braithwaite, Samantha Jade and comedian Hamish Blake.
She is a well-respected teacher and mentor with an impeccable track record in the field of music education and performance and has a wealth of experience as a seasoned session vocalist.
Michelle has performed for many of Australia’s biggest shows and events, including Flemington Racecourse’ Melbourne Cup, the Grand Prix, Moonee Valley Racecourse Black Caviar Night, ANZA Ball in Singapore, Virgin Blue Airlines, ANZ, NAB, the Royal Melbourne Show, various AFL Best & Fairest Balls, Club Launches and Corporate Box games days, including 2016 Premiers Western Bulldogs Grand Final official after-party and Family Day for over 20,000 people.
2017 also saw Michelle record the vocals for the official Western Bulldogs AFL Women’s team theme song, Daughters of the West, and a televised performance of the Australian National Anthem on Australia Day for Moonee Valley Racecourse.
Kathleen Halloran is a multifaceted guitarist and bass teacher based in Melbourne. Kathleen has been gigging since the age of 14, building up years of experience as a working musician, including musical theatre, corporate, jazz and international tours.
The breadth of her talent and musical prowess make her one of the most sought-after guitarists in Melbourne, whose unique combination of experience, finesse and professionalism mark her as one of the most revered figures on the Australian music scene.
Kathleen has toured China three times with the Australian International Opera Company alongside a range of different artists, such as Broadway singer Brad Little. In Australia, Kathleen has worked with some of Melbourne’s finest musicians and musical directors.
She has shared the stage with some of the most critically acclaimed artists, including Kate Ceberano, Kate Miller-Heidke, Tim Rogers, Steve Kilbey, Tex Perkins, Jen Cloher, Harry Angus, Thando, Benny Walker and jazz pianist Barney McAll. As an original artist, Kathleen leads her trio, performing regularly around Melbourne and presenting original contemporary jazz music.
As a teacher, Kathleen is an exemplary instructor, who is passionate about nurturing young students and developing the skills and confidence they need to find and explore their own musical voice.