who are we
biographies
French-born pianist Jordane Francois is the epitome of today’s independent contemporary classical musician. Since graduating with first-class honours from the Conservatorium of Marseille, Jordane has diversified her musical horizons, spanning repertoire from ancient music to the 21st century.
Jordane has always been interested in all sorts of keyboard instruments and has largely divided her time studying piano, organ and harpsichord. She has been classically trained on these three instruments and has undertaken a specialisation in Baroque music, studying with Brigitte Haudebourg in Conservatoire of Marseille, France, being awarded a First class honors degree of Musical Studies in Performance - First Prize Of Conservatoire in France. She then participated in masterclasses with Canadian harpsichordist Kenneth Gilbert, Dutch harpsichordist and conductor Bob Van Asperen, and Jan-Willem Jansen, in Toulouse, France, where she deepened her practice of chamber music, performing in ensembles with musicians from all over Europe.
Jordane has performed extensively as a solo and chamber musician, performing on modern instruments as well as ancient instruments, in France and Australia, championing piano, harpsichord, and organ repertoire.
In concert today Jordane is an avid proponent of juxtaposing modern music and classical repertoire, exploring and celebrating the commonalities and differences between.
Since her arrival in Australia, fourteen years ago Jordane has cemented her place as a passionate advocate of music education in New South Wales. In addition to her High Honour Degree in Performance, from Marseille Conservatorium, France, she holds a Bachelors degree in Music from the University of Nice, France and a degree in Music Education from the University of Marseille.
Jordane was teaching at Conservatoire of Cannes, France, before coming to Australia. Upon arriving in Australia and in the spirit of exploration of musical genre, she was received a Diploma of Music in Jazz Performance from Lismore Conservatorium.
Jordane has since been very involved in the local community in Byron Bay teaching the piano at Byron Community Independent school and Trinity Catholic College in Lismore. Jordane enjoys a thriving private teaching studio in Byron Bay, New South Wales. She warmly welcomes new students of all ages and levels to join her piano class. In addition to teaching piano, Jordane fields of expertise include music theory, arrangement and chamber music.
When Jordane isn't playing the piano, she enjoys cooking delicious traditional French dishes, such as Soufflé au Fromage or Boeuf Bourguignon. Her signature dessert is Tarte Tatin or Clafoutis aux cerises! Consequently, she practises Pilates regularly.
Jordane has been a fan of science fiction movies since a young age, not to mention fantasy universes such as Game of Thrones or Lord of The Ring. Maybe one day she will ride a dragon.
Jordane francois
introducing
Irish cellist Tara-Lee Byrne studied in Holland, Italy, and England and holds honors degrees in performance and teaching from The Royal Irish Academy of Music Dublin, Utrecht Conservatorium, Holland, Trinity College of Music London. and Trinity Guildhall. Tara-Lee was a Music Scholar at Trinity College of Music London. and during her Masters degree was awarded a place on the Mentorship scheme with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Britten Pears Festival Orchestra and was a finalist in the London Symphony Orchestra String Experience. Her solo performances include appearances with The Hibernian Orchestra, Dublin Orchestral Players, Dublin Symphony Orchestra, Royal Irish Academy of Music Chamber Orchestra; 'I Suoni Bianchi' Chamber Orchestra, Italy.
Tara-Lee has performed and recorded with global artists including Beyonce, Kanye West, Elton John, P-Diddy, Bono, Andrea Bocelli, Placido Domingo, David Gray, Ronan Keating, Van Morrisson, Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, Damian Rice and Dame Kiri te Kanawa.
Tara-Lee is in demand as a cello teacher and chamber music coach in Ireland, Australia and abroad having previously taught in the Young European Strings School, Dublin and Royal Academy of Music Junior Department London. Tara-Lee was founder and director of Munster Music Academy based in the West of Ireland for the past twelve years. Tara-Lee tours nationally and internationally hosting string workshops based on her book ‘The Cello Motorway', an interactive teaching book and DVD focusing on cello bowing technique for teachers and cellists of all ages and abilities.
In concert, Tara-Lee has performed extensively as a concerto soloist, professional orchestral/chamber musician, and recording artist in Europe, America, and the Middle East, with performances in the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Royal Albert Hall and Wigmore Hall, London, Paris Conservatoire, Berlin Staats Opera, Liszt Ferenc Academy, Budapest, and the Opera Houses of Genoa, Turin & Rome. In Ireland, Tara-Lee was deputy cellist with The National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, RTE Concert Orchestra, The Irish Baroque Orchestra, and the Irish Film Orchestra.
In 2024 Tara-Lee launches The Cello Motorway, an online cello community and interactive educational hub for students and teachers passionate to both learn and relearn how to practise intentionally and effectively at any level. In her teaching studio, Tara-Lee teaches her students her unique systematic collection of intentional practising tools and methods which enable each student to be an informed, aware musician, and their own best teacher.
Tara-Lee is a professional wholefood chef having graduated from Matthew Kenney Plantlab in Santa Monica, USA and has sautéed and sprouted her way around the globe with her Kill Bill yellow cello and yoga mat on her back. She is passionately scribing her first children's book, a quixotic mélange of music, freakish accidents, love, cultures, and wanderlust, rather like Tara-Lee in real life!
Tara-Lee is obsessed with tea rituals and drinks matcha, masala chai and earl grey daily. She loves everything Japanese & Indian, the smell of freshly cut grass, doTerra essential oils, spa weekends and a minimum daily temperature of 21 degrees. She speaks Italian and French and recently discovered she can actually paint.
