School Director and Piano 

LIZA GUDKOVA

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Liza is the director of Fairfield School of Music. She has been teaching piano at the school since 2012 and has experience of more than 15 years in private piano tuition. Starting her piano tuition in Russian Federation, completing her AMEB certifications and studying at Australian Institute of Music, she has been playing piano for over 25 years, and has multiple years of experience in performing solo as well as in bands of various genres.

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Liza offers tuition in not only classical but also contemporary piano music, and is passionate in teaching piano of all genres to all ages, hoping to inspire many of her students to be creative and think outside the box.

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Liza offers tuition in the following:

• Piano

• Aural training

• Music theory

• Composition/Songwriting

• Classical piano

• Piano for leisure

• Exam preparation (HSC/AMEB)

• Live performance

Vocals

ADAM DRUM

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Adam is a classically trained vocalist with over 20 years of experience across a wide range of styles including rock, pop, metal, and musical theatre. From school choirs to fronting nationally touring bands, Adam has spent a lifetime exploring the voice in all its forms — bringing both technical depth and expressive freedom to his singing and teaching.

Adam specialises in vocal versatility, helping students discover and develop their unique sound whether they’re belting a Broadway ballad, growling in metal, or finding their voice for the first time. He works with both adults and children, from complete beginners to advanced vocalists. With a firm belief that singing is intensely personal, Adam tailors each lesson to the individual — nurturing confidence, control, and creative expression at every stage of the journey.

Adam provides tuition in:

• Vocal Performance

• Vocal Technique across various genres

• Breathing and Diaphragm Control

• Music Interpretation and Expression

• Beginner to Advanced Singing

Violin 

CHAYLAH CHIVAS

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Chaylah began singing at a very young age and started studying Violin at the age of 10, quickly developing refined skills in violin technicality, musical performance etiquette, music theory, and musicology. She has performed countless times with members of the Sydney Symphony and Berlin Philharmonic through orchestral programs, both as a student and a teacher, and has participated in multiple years of State Music Camp and State Choir camps. After studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music High School, she went on to complete her Bachelor of Music in Classical Performance at the Australian Institute of Music. Chaylah is a regular orchestral freelancer in the Greater Sydney and Central Coast area, performing throughout the year with various orchestras and ensembles, including Symphony Central Coast, Central Coast Youth Orchestra, Sydney Contemporary Orchestra, Sydney Concert Orchestra, Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Sydney, Western Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and Lake Macquarie Philharmonic Orchestra.

Chaylah offers tuition in the following:

• Classical Violin

• Violin for Leisure

• Aural training

• Music theory

• Exam preparation 

• Live performance

• Ensemble

Guitar and Drums

ARTHUR SAMUEL

Arthur has been playing the drums since the age of 3 and started receiving lessons at Fairfield School Of Music at age 7, continuing to do so for the next 17 years where he now begins his teaching journey.

Arthur received outstanding marks for his HSC performance exams and is a graduate of JMC Academy, where he completed his bachelor of music, majoring in contemporary performance. In addition to this, Arthur has played gigs across various venues in Sydney, Northern Beaches and Newcastle with genres ranging from punk, rock, metal and metalcore.

Arthur provides tuition in:

• Performance

• Music Theory

• Sight-reading for Drums 

• Composition for students from Beginner to Advanced

Guitar

STAVROS PATSALOS

Stavros has been teaching guitar since 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Performance from the Australian Institute of Music, along with an AMEB Step 1 (Advancing) Certificate in Guitar.

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With experience teaching students of all ages and levels — from young beginners to HSC candidates and adult learners — Stavros brings a patient and flexible approach to his lessons. He is also an accomplished performer and songwriter, with a particular love for classic rock, progressive metal, and expressive solo guitar.

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Stavros aims to inspire students not only to build strong technique, but also to enjoy exploring and creating music of their own.

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Stavros offers tuition in the following:

• Guitar technique (picking & fingerstyle) • Music theory

• Live performance

• Composition/songwriting

Violin

KIM SANTOS

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Kim is a classical violinist with a Bachelor of Music (Performance) from the Australian Institute of Music. Kim is passionate about sharing the joy of violin with students of all ages.

With a strong classical background and a detailed, technical yet patient approach to teaching violin, she can offer tuition for:

• AMEB violin exams

• Auditions

• HSC and high school music

• Music theory

• Playing for leisure

In addition to teaching privately, Kim also works with Sydney Catholic Schools as a strings tutor and ensemble conductor. Besides teaching, she is a dedicated performer on violin and viola, and has been playing the violin in orchestras from a young age. She was a member of Sydney Youth Orchestras from 2020-2024, and is a current member of the inner west-based Metropolitan Orchestra.

Piano

ANNABEL XIAO

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Annabel has first started learning the piano at the age of 5. Throughout her primary through high school years she’s competed in numerous piano competitions; and has earned herself many awards from the Ryde and Penrith Eisteddfod. 

Annabel has studied both Music 2 and Music Extension subjects at Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School for her HSC and has reached the level of AMUSA (Association in Music, Australia) and completed 5th Grade Theory of Music in the AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board). 

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Annabel has been a valued teacher at Fairfield School of Music for over 10 years, and wishes to continue with more exciting and innovative lessons for students. 

She has graduated from University of Technology Sydney, completing Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood, and is always aspiring to have a better understanding of learning strategies for students of all ages.

Piano and Vocals

BATHSHEBA SEIN

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Bathsheba has been playing the piano since the age of 10 and has been deeply connected to music ever since. At 12, she began attending Fairfield School of Music where she now teaches, bringing her journey full circle.

Currently in university, studying business, Bathsheba is a passionate teacher who believes that music is a way to express, connect, and grow. She is committed to teaching anyone with a passion for music, regardless of skill level, and strive to make each lesson engaging, inspiring, and tailored to the student’s needs.

Piano

CLARYSA PANUCCIO

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Clarysa began playing the piano at the age of five, quickly developing a passion for music. By 15, she achieved the prestigious AMusA (Associate in Music, Australia) qualification, marking a significant milestone in her musical journey. 

With over five years of experience teaching at Fairfield School of Music, Clarysa has dedicated her career to sharing the joy of music with students, fostering both their technical skills and love for the piano. Her supportive, patient, and inspiring approach has enabled countless students to thrive, not just as musicians, but as individuals.
 

Clarysa has a strong motivation and desire to teach anyone at any age, aiming to pass her mastery of the piano onto her students, where playing the piano shouldn't be practiced as a chore, but rather for pleasure.