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Our Mission
To promote, encourage and collaborate in the study, practice, performance, teaching, knowledge and composition of keyboard related music.
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To support a broad musical education including keyboard harmony and aural training.
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To exist as a dedicated ACT keyboard organization with a vision to encourage collaborations with ACT bordering regional areas.
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To look at new opportunities of delivering musical education relating to the keyboard, utilizing new technologies.
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To collaborate with other organizations.
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To look at a broad spectrum of inclusive memberships of various levels to ensure that professionalism and excellence are promoted.
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To encourage young emerging pianists to contribute to on-going activities.
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To endeavor to establish awards and competitions.
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To support keyboard tuition through scholarships.
Our Committee
Our dedicated committee members are passionate about furthering musical, artistic, and educational endeavours in the ACT and beyond.
President
Rebecca Simon
Rebecca has a thriving studio in Canberra, teaching at home and in several local schools. As well as teaching piano to a wide range of ages and abilities, Rebecca particularly enjoys her role as a collaborative musician, accompanying and coaching instrumentalists and singers for performances, auditions, and exams.
Rebecca’s warm, personal approach enables each student to develop and thrive while working with individual learning styles. She seeks to provide a nurturing environment that encourages a lifelong love of music, whilst maintaining high standards of discipline to achieve each student’s unique potential.
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Prior to her move to Canberra in 2011, Rebecca worked in Armidale’s vibrant music community, both for the New England Conservatorium as accompanist in residence for the choral, brass, woodwind & string programs, coordinator for chamber music in schools program, and also as a private piano teacher & accompanist.
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Rebecca completed her piano studies at the University of Southern Queensland, studying under Wendy Lorenz and Marilyn Meier-Kapavale where she gained extensive experience in chamber music and accompaniment, and was repetiteur for the opera program.
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Vice-President
Amber Harnisch
Amber Harnisch is a piano teacher, accompanist and proud member the ACT Keyboard Association. She greatly enjoys working with the Keyboard Association colleagues to further music-making opportunities in the Canberra region.
Amber came to Canberra in 2004 to study a Bachelor of Music, majoring in classical piano at the ANU School of Music under the tuition of Dr. Geoffrey Lancaster and the mentorship of Susanne Powell and Larry Sitsky.
A passion for teaching led her to gain a Diploma of Education in secondary music. After moving back to the Far South Coast, she worked in primary and secondary schools as a music educator, choral conductor and instrumental teacher, while also working as an accompanist for local choirs and musicians.
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Amber relocated back to Canberra in 2014 and quickly built a busy and successful piano studio. She is currently studying Masters in Music Education by research at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, researching best practices for providing children with well-rounded and comprehensive musical experiences.
Amber regularly presents professional development sessions for young music teachers, and has presented at music education conferences in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Treasurer
Emily Leong
Amber Harnisch is a piano teacher, accompanist and proud member the ACT Keyboard Association. She greatly enjoys working with the Keyboard Association colleagues to further music-making opportunities in the Canberra region.
Amber came to Canberra in 2004 to study a Bachelor of Music, majoring in classical piano at the ANU School of Music under the tuition of Dr. Geoffrey Lancaster and the mentorship of Susanne Powell and Larry Sitsky.
A passion for teaching led her to gain a Diploma of Education in secondary music. After moving back to the Far South Coast, she worked in primary and secondary schools as a music educator, choral conductor and instrumental teacher, while also working as an accompanist for local choirs and musicians.
​
Amber relocated back to Canberra in 2014 and quickly built a busy and successful piano studio. She is currently studying Masters in Music Education by research at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, researching best practices for providing children with well-rounded and comprehensive musical experiences.
Amber regularly presents professional development sessions for young music teachers, and has presented at music education conferences in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Secretary
Hannah Th'ng McDowell
Amber Harnisch is a piano teacher, accompanist and proud member the ACT Keyboard Association. She greatly enjoys working with the Keyboard Association colleagues to further music-making opportunities in the Canberra region.
Amber came to Canberra in 2004 to study a Bachelor of Music, majoring in classical piano at the ANU School of Music under the tuition of Dr. Geoffrey Lancaster and the mentorship of Susanne Powell and Larry Sitsky.
A passion for teaching led her to gain a Diploma of Education in secondary music. After moving back to the Far South Coast, she worked in primary and secondary schools as a music educator, choral conductor and instrumental teacher, while also working as an accompanist for local choirs and musicians.
​
Amber relocated back to Canberra in 2014 and quickly built a busy and successful piano studio. She is currently studying Masters in Music Education by research at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, researching best practices for providing children with well-rounded and comprehensive musical experiences.
Amber regularly presents professional development sessions for young music teachers, and has presented at music education conferences in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Committee Member
Phoebe Mu
Rebecca has a thriving studio in Canberra, teaching at home and in several local schools. As well as teaching piano to a wide range of ages and abilities, Rebecca particularly enjoys her role as a collaborative musician, accompanying and coaching instrumentalists and singers for performances, auditions, and exams.
Rebecca’s warm, personal approach enables each student to develop and thrive while working with individual learning styles. She seeks to provide a nurturing environment that encourages a lifelong love of music, whilst maintaining high standards of discipline to achieve each student’s unique potential.
​
Prior to her move to Canberra in 2011, Rebecca worked in Armidale’s vibrant music community, both for the New England Conservatorium as accompanist in residence for the choral, brass, woodwind & string programs, coordinator for chamber music in schools program, and also as a private piano teacher & accompanist.
​
Rebecca completed her piano studies at the University of Southern Queensland, studying under Wendy Lorenz and Marilyn Meier-Kapavale where she gained extensive experience in chamber music and accompaniment, and was repetiteur for the opera program.
Committee Member
Lilian Hathorn
Amber Harnisch is a piano teacher, accompanist and proud member the ACT Keyboard Association. She greatly enjoys working with the Keyboard Association colleagues to further music-making opportunities in the Canberra region.
Amber came to Canberra in 2004 to study a Bachelor of Music, majoring in classical piano at the ANU School of Music under the tuition of Dr. Geoffrey Lancaster and the mentorship of Susanne Powell and Larry Sitsky.
A passion for teaching led her to gain a Diploma of Education in secondary music. After moving back to the Far South Coast, she worked in primary and secondary schools as a music educator, choral conductor and instrumental teacher, while also working as an accompanist for local choirs and musicians.
​
Amber relocated back to Canberra in 2014 and quickly built a busy and successful piano studio. She is currently studying Masters in Music Education by research at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, researching best practices for providing children with well-rounded and comprehensive musical experiences.
Amber regularly presents professional development sessions for young music teachers, and has presented at music education conferences in Australia and the United Kingdom.