Natasha Close - Muscial Director and Owner of MINPAA
Natasha Close is the Owner and Musical Director of the Melbourne Performing Arts Academy.
She brings over 30 years of International and local teaching experience.
Natasha graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is Orff and Kodály certified from New York and Vancouver, amongst many other musical qualifications.
She is also the proud mother of 4 beautiful children, 4 sausage dogs, and 2 grand sons and 1 grand daughter
Natasha is currently taking students by audition only.
She brings over 30 years of International and local teaching experience.
Natasha graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is Orff and Kodály certified from New York and Vancouver, amongst many other musical qualifications.
She is also the proud mother of 4 beautiful children, 4 sausage dogs, and 2 grand sons and 1 grand daughter
Natasha is currently taking students by audition only.
Russell Stringer - Guitar, Ukulele and Piano Teacher
Russell Stringer is our much loved guitar, bass, ukulele and piano teacher.
Russell is one of the longest standing members of the academy and is in high demand by many of our students.
Russell is one of the longest standing members of the academy and is in high demand by many of our students.
Damien Ellis is our highly esteemed head of percussion specialising in Drum Kit and Guitar. He is a professional drummer and educator of over 20 years. He also teaches at VCASS where several of our students will be auditioning in coming years.
Damien completed a Bachelor of Music Performance with Honours, specialising in improvisation at the Victoria College of the Arts.
Damien has performed at countless venues worldwide including the Sydney Opera House, the Melbourne Recital Centre, and at festivals including Moomba, Melbourne International Jazz festival and the Wangaratta jazz festival. Damien also teachers guitar to select students.
Damien completed a Bachelor of Music Performance with Honours, specialising in improvisation at the Victoria College of the Arts.
Damien has performed at countless venues worldwide including the Sydney Opera House, the Melbourne Recital Centre, and at festivals including Moomba, Melbourne International Jazz festival and the Wangaratta jazz festival. Damien also teachers guitar to select students.
Sheldon King is one of our most long standing teachers, composers and educators at the Melbourne Performing Arts Academy. He hails from Bath in England and teaches at several institutions throughout Melbourne. He specialises in teaching our neurodiverse students of all ages and performs regularly. Sheldon is our multi-instrumental specialist who can professionally play and teach Guitar, Singing, Multi-instrumental Group lessons, Piano, Drums, Ukulele, Flute and tailor lessons to suit the needs and interests of our student body.
Ivan Baines is our sensational Theory, Piano & multi-instrumental teacher. He teachers remotely, as well as home visits, and is based in Carlton. Ivan also assists in accompaniment as well as teaching at our headquarters in Pascoe Vale & Coburg
