Melbourne’s go to destination for Children’s Music Education!
Music is central to all of our lives. Experience the beautiful discovery of music with your child by learning music together in our classes and watch them develop while you have fun together!
Listen to us here – YouTube
- IN-PERSON MUSIC CLASSES – Babies to Primary
- INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS
- ELC MUSIC PROGRAMS & INCURSIONS
- COUNCIL & HOLIDAY PROGRAM
- PRIMARY SCHOOL PROGRAMS & INCURSIONS
Our programs are designed using the Orff-Schulwerk approach and Kodaly methodology and are developed by our highly experienced music director who has spent over 15 years as head of music in leading independent ELC & Primary schools across Melbourne & Sydney.
Melbourne’s go to destination for Children’s Music Education!
Music is central to all of our lives. Experience the beautiful discovery of music with your child by learning music together in our classes and watch them develop while you have fun together!
Listen to us here – YouTube
- IN-PERSON MUSIC CLASSES – Babies to Primary
- JAM SCHOOL – Primary – Adult
- ELC MUSIC PROGRAMS & INCURSIONS
- COUNCIL & HOLIDAY PROGRAM
- PRIMARY SCHOOL INCURSIONS
- NDIS Music – self-managed funds
Our programs are designed using the Orff-Schulwerk approach and Kodaly methodology and are developed by our highly experienced music director who has spent over 15 years as head of music in leading independent ELC & Primary schools across Melbourne & Sydney.
The Musical Minds Team
Tanya Bethune
Director
Tanya Bethune is the founder of Musical Minds, a Music school for babies, children and adults. A little about Tanya: at the age of 6 Tanya was encouraged by her grandfather to learn music in her local Brass Band. She continued her love of music as a trumpeter and singer in orchestras and blues bands, playing with inspiring musicians across Australia. Tanya continued her education at The University of Melbourne, completing a Bachelor or Music (Honours) and Bachelor of Teaching. In her teaching experience she has experience as a classroom music teacher in Primary and ELCs and Head of Primary Music in leading schools across VIC and NSW. Tanya writes the music program using her experience as an Orff Practitioner and infusing the music program with the Kodaly methodology and Reggio Emilia approach. Tanya has experienced first hand the benefits of learning music from a young age and has researched, developed and written the programs that you learn today. She is currently learning Auslan.
“Miss Bethune, I can do it, listen to me, I can make a song using the music hand signs, I can sing ‘so’ and ‘mi’.”
Tanya loves to help children create music of their own and give parents and grandparents the skills to encourage their children to explore music at home. Tanya values self-confidence as the building blocks of an individuals growth. Though her experience Tanya and her team are confident that they can give you the best music foundation for your child’s development.
Andrew Donald
Andrew Donald is an experienced piano and singing teacher with a strong jazz and contemporary music background and extensive ensemble experience as a professional gigging musician for over twenty years. Andrew has a Bachelor of Music from the Queensland Conservatorium and is currently completing his Masters of Teaching (Primary Education) at Victoria University.
Andy has extensive experience working with children (and adults) through individual and group music lessons and is passionate about sharing the many benefits of learning music through the Musical Minds community. He also loves a good chat about Archery.
Bryce Novotny
Bryce is an experienced musician & performer, having worked with kids performing songs & other activities including clowning & magic! Bryce has played in bands around Australia since he was a teenager, supporting many international and well known local acts.
Bryce has a passion for music that is obvious for all to see. As a teacher he strives to provide kids with a supportive environment to help encourage an interest in music & showing kids that anyone can make music.
Bryce wants to show kids music can be more than just a hobby, that it can be an integral part of your life and through this he foster creativity and builds confidence.
Matt Davidson
Matt Davidson is a guitarist, singer and music producer with over 30 years experience in the music industry. He has an Advanced Diploma in Music Business, Diploma in Electronic Music Production and BA in Audio Studio Production. Matt has taught kids holiday musical workshops in song creation and composition and ran a singing telegram business for 8 years with my wife employing many local musicians, singers and teachers
Matt has worked as Sound Producer for Arts Victoria “Get Out “ Disability Arts program and created the world’s first
homeless kids scout troop, 1st Manila Street Troop. Matt worked in Nepal and in Australia for Women’s Foundation
of Nepal.
Matt lives with his wife and two cat babies, Ezekiel and Sumo.. plus he is a secret gamer nerd
Benson Rowntree
Coming soon
Esme Thwaites
Esme is a singer, guitarist and pianist. She has a bachelor’s degree in song writing and has been performing and touring across the UK with her own solo projects and a 7-piece jazz fusion band.
Esme has mentored young people within schools and after school programs to help them play live, book gigs and write
songs as well as helping them start their musical journey at a younger age and understanding the fundamentals of
music.
Esme believes that music is a powerful tool when it comes to young people’s ability to relate to the world around
them. It encourages movement, play and learning. I love being able to put my musical skills to helping kids to feel
empowered and inspired by their musical journey to whatever point it takes them!
Esme is also a professional hula-hooper!!
Zac Vanstone
Knoa Reyes
Nima Nazemi
See What Some of Our Families Have to Say
“We have done a few music classes but Tanya’s are brilliant. She weaves music knowledge and understanding seamlessly through the fun activities and engaging songs, and there is cultural diversity in the material too. Kids use different age appropriate instruments and learn community practices like cooperation, packing away etc. She also has highs and lows to the energy so the kids don’t leave over-revved/over-stimulated. It’s wonderful.”
Emily H
“I just wanted to say a big thank you to Tanya for your commitment to continuing classes this term. I’m pretty sick of zoom with my work but considering how interactive and performative music is- I take my hat off to you. Please know that through your small business you’re giving a lot of kids like my son a fabulous opportunity to sing, dance and just have fun which they all need. And during lockdown, the whole community needs a pick-me-up. I find because of your positivity and energy, I really feel better after your classes too! So thank you from me and my little guy. Musical Minds is not just about music experiences for kids, it’s a community and I’m so glad my little family stumbled across it!
Maddy H
“Thank you Tanya you were amazing! Our 3 Year Old kindergarten children had so much fun and so did the educators! The Musical Minds incursion was really hands on and relevant to the children and we all had lots of turns at playing all the musical instruments. Thanks once again Tanya we will definitely see you next year!
3 Year Old Kindergarten – Maria C
Group Music Classes
Experts In Music Education
Every child deserves the opportunity to expand their minds with music and learning! Musical Minds offers group classes and instrumental lessons for every step of your child’s journey!
Whether you have a newborn child and are looking to explore their sense of sound, a toddler who’s full of energy and wants to express themselves, a kinder child who is keen to experiment with music or a primary school student who wants to be the next Beethoven, we can fulfil all their needs in a supportive and creative environment.
Here are our 6 core programs where parents and kids can get in on the fun together!
Babies
Our Babies classes are set in a comforting and gentle environment where you and your child are encouraged to explore sound together. You will be guided through songs and activities that can be easily incorporated into your daily routines.
Toddlers
10 Months – 24 Months
Your kids are on the move and our Crawlers and Walkers classes here to guide you through activities and songs that you can sing and play daily. This includes imaginative musical play through storytelling and puppets, dances, and instrument play to develop coordination and confidence.
Pre-Kinder
Learning music in a supportive environment is how your child continues to build their confidence. Through musical play, your child shares ideas with other children and learns how to take turns. They get excited about showing you new sounds they can sing and play and take pride in retelling a musical story.
Kinder
3.5 Years – 5 Years
Your children are curious about the world around them. They want to know the how’s and why’s of their world. Our Kinder aged classes support your child’s curiosity through programs aligned with the Early Learning Years Framework. Your child learns how to interpret the Elements of Music: keeping a steady beat, identifying a rhythm, playing a melody and singing and hand signing pitch.
Lower Primary
Prep to Year 3/4
Have you thought about learning an individual instrument? Or would you like to develop the skills for making the transition to learning an individual instrument smoother? We show your child how to identify the Elements of Music and teach them how to play these elements: beat, rhythm, pitch, tone colour, dynamics and expression.
Jam School - Join a band!
Primary – open age
In Jam School your child will need to have been learning their instrument for at least one year. Your child will learn how to play their instrument in a band. Learning key ensemble skills and having loads of fun along they way. Yearly concerts and open rehearsal sessions. Parents are welcome to attend.
Instrumental Lessons - Group & Individual
Primary and Secondary age
Build upon your child’s group music skills by supporting their learning though group or individual instrumental learning. Our group instrumental lessons are a great way for a young student to begin: lower cost, build social skills and learn from a highly experienced teacher.
Early Learning Centre
Australian Program- EYLFD
Our Early Learning programs are designed and developed at Musical Minds. The programs are customised to your centre and meet the Early Learning Framework Standards. Our program encourages school readiness, learn the xylophone to lead to individual instrument learning and learn the foundations of music that support all other areas of learning. This program is usually only available in independent schools! We are here now to bring it to you!
Are You Looking to Share Your Passion for Music With Your Child?
Get Started Today By Reaching Out and Talking to Tanya!