be inspired
teach
Jordane and Tara-Lee are highly experienced qualified teachers and professional international musicians who combine active performing careers whilst educating and inspiring musicians across the generations fulfil their musical ambitions and dreams.
We are committed to nurturing musical talent across all ages, abilities, aspirations, and socio-economic backgrounds. We nourish each student's potential as they explore and discover their musical identity and path. In our teaching we create an inspiring, creative, fun, yet focused environment.
We offer weekly individual instrumental classes in cello, piano, theory and chamber music. We have limited places available for the current academic year.
Allow us to inspire and support your musical journey. Our fees are at the bottom of the page.
the next generation of musicians
nurture & nourish
Ignacio Estrada
Are you a beginner cellist or a mature piano student with no prior musical experience?
You don't need to know a treble clef from a crotchet. You don't have to be able to sing or read music. You don't have to do exams. You don't have to play in public. And it doesn't matter if you have arthritis.
Trust us when we say IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START. All you need is a long-lasting desire to learn an instrument and let us do the rest.
We warmly welcome applications from cello and piano students of all ages, abilities, and aspirations. Click below to complete our enquiry form.
it's never too late to learn
we love teaching adults
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.
tara-lee byrne
introducing
nigel mckenna
Tara-Lee has boundless energy and enthusiasm for music and exciting her students on their musical journey, while learning in this fun environment. Tara-Lee's ability to focus on the details and technical aspects in a fun way allows the children to really understand music as well as learning essential skills.
Gráinne higgins
I was so lucky to start my cello journey with Tara. Her attention to technical detail, passionate commitment to her students and wonderful sense of fun made every lesson one to look forward to.
denise sheridan
Studying with Tara-Lee students go on a journey of exploration and discovery of music, themselves as musicians, their technical ability while experiencing all the benefits music brings to their communicative, social and emotional development in a nurturing, supportive, fun filled environment.
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 High Honor Diploma 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
ellie watson
Jordane teaches in a wholistic way, not just ploughing through the piece and ticking boxes. Both my children have developed a deep love and understandig of music on all levels. A part of them shines through when they play. How one teaches this I don't know, but Jordane facilitates this and holds the space for the magic to happen. Pure brilliance!
bernard fanning
Jordane is a great teacher. She has total command of all the theory and pianistic requirements to teach, but more importantly she has an inherent understanding of song craft and musicality. I have no hesitation in recommending her.
Amanda cullen
My son and I have been having piano lessons with Jordane and we would recommend Jordane to anyone of any age wanting to learning the piano. Jordane's passion for music really shines through her teaching. She has been able to encourage my son and make him feel confident enough to go through his lessons, and is very patient. Jordane's musical knowledge and theory is also amazing.
We feel so lucky to have her as our teacher.
30 minutes @ 50 AUD
45 minutes @ 75 AUD
60 minutes @ 100 AUD
Fees are for individual lessons
Tara-Lee and Jordane are registered providers for the Creative Kids Voucher NSW
Jordane's teaching studio is based in Ocean Shores. Tara-Lee's teaching studio is based in Byron Bay
Please read our frequently asked questions below
INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS
fees & investment
Jordane and Tara-Lee have experience facilitating them to teach students with learning challenges. On our enquiry form we kindly ask parents/students to complete this section knowing that this information is treated with utmost privacy. It is very important we are made aware of any challenges your child/student may have in their education journey and learning experience. No matter what challenges these may be we sensitively ask you to share these with us, so that we may in turn be able to assist your child/student to the best of our ability ensuring their musical journey is one that is enjoyable and fulfilling.
can lessons be adapted for students with learning challenges?
Tara-Lee and Jordane are delighted to offer online music lessons for students who prefer the online learning experience as it better suits their location/schedule/lifestyle and/or family commitments. Both Jordane and Tara-Lee were teaching music online before 2020 and over recent years as educators we have expanded our teaching skillset, deepened our awareness of 'how it feels for the student', explored and developed new online teaching approaches, and integrated our new practises providing a truly holisitic online learning experience for each student.
do you teach lessons online?
We do not believe the quality of our teaching and work is diminished in its essence by being online. It is somewhat limited in its capacity when compared with a lesson face to face, such as not being able to play together, not being physically present to correct their feet / adjust their arms etc. However, the actual quality of what we are teaching and the service we are providing is not lessened.
There are other disciplines where online classes can understandably cost less than a lesson in-person. However, we believe music lessons do not fall into that category for the following reasons. There is extra time involved in preparing materials for online classes, arranging and emailing Zoom invites, recording mini follow-up teaching videos, plus emailing homework notes and sheet music. ALL outside of the actual given lesson time of 30/45/60 minutes for which you have paid.
why are online lessons not cheaper?
For complete beginners and students playing up to two years we recommend 30 minutes for a weekly lesson. As the students progress we will discuss with you if more time is necessary to comfortably cover all materials including theory. For adult beginners we recommend 30/45 minutes preferably on a weekly basis.
how long is a lesson?
We love teaching adults. Are you a beginner cellist or a mature piano student with no prior musical experience?
You don't need to know a treble clef from a crotchet. You don't have to be able to sing or read music. You don't have to do exams. You don't have to play in public. And it doesn't matter if you have arthritis.
Trust us when we say IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START. All you need is a long-lasting desire to learn an instrument and let us do the rest. For adult beginners we recommend 30/45 minutes preferably on a weekly basis.
Please complete the teaching enquiry form by clicking here
do you teach adults?
Music is 99% practise and 1% theory. Music is not a hobby whereby one goes training once a week like with a team sport. Music is an incredibly specialised field of learning on a one-to-one basis. It involves and deeply engages all our faculties from the very first lesson. For each student, adult or child to fully benefit from their personalised music programme and more importantly to enjoy their lessons and musical experience, regular practising is 100% advised and encouraged.
Tara-Lee/Jordane will discuss and advise both the student and/or parent the recommended practising time relevant to your age/ability/grade/pieces and musical intentions.
do i have to practise everyday?
You don't need to know how to read music in order to start music lessons. We are here to guide and support you literally from the very beginning. If you have played by ear before and are nervous about not being able to read those tiny black dots, fear not. There are only 7 notes to learn ABCDEFG plus a few funny signs like sharp - flat - natural. Or as one student renamed the sharp # hashtag
do i have to be able to read music?
We implement a strict policy to protect our teachers livelihoods and time whereby lessons are NON-TRANSFERABLE. Your teacher needs to be paid even if you cancel. It is each students responsibility to attend their allocated lesson time. If a student is unable to attend this lesson will NOT be made up by their teacher. Kindly do not request this directly of your teacher. If a teacher is unable to teach due to illness and/or concert/professional engagement this lesson will be made up before the end of the respective term.
what happens if i cannot make a lesson?
Should you wish to discontinue lessons two weeks notice without exception is required in writing to your teacher at theonyxduo@gmail.com otherwise lessons will be charged for without exception.
what if i want to stop taking lessons?
We do not accept payment for lessons on a weekly basis. Each term of lessons is due for payment in full in advance without exception. All lessons must be paid for within 14 days from date of invoice. If payment is overdue by two weeks your teacher reserves the right to cancel future lessons until payment has been received in full. Check out the fees section above for more details.
how do i pay for lessons?
Trust us, we have the answers!
You Might have Some questions
All students are issued invoices via email. Kindly add theonyxduo@gmail.com to your address book to ensure all emails and invoices are received in your inbox. Please ensure it is on the safe sender list otherwise our invoices and emails will end up in SPAM. Email is our primary form of correspondence.
All lessons must be paid for within 14 days from date of invoice. We accept EFT's. Each term of lessons is due for payment in full in advance without exception. If payment is overdue by two weeks Tara-Lee and/or Jordane reserve the right to cancel future lessons until payment has been received in full. We do not accept payment for lessons on a weekly basis. Lessons are non-transferable. Please do not request this of your teacher. It is the students responsibility to attend their allocated lesson weekly. If a student is unable to attend a lesson this lesson will NOT be made up by your teacher. If your teacher is unable to teach due to illness and/or concert/professional engagement this lesson will be made up before the end of the respective term.
Should you wish to discontinue lessons two weeks notice without exception is required in writing via email to your teacher theonyxduo@gmail.com otherwise lessons will be charged for without exception.
