Jillian Taylor

Providing oboe tuition at all levels in a relaxed, well-appointed home studio.

A highly qualified professional with an extensive background as an orchestral oboist, I have over fifteen years of private teaching experience catering to students from beginner to tertiary.

Lessons are delivered with a friendly whole-student approach that takes into account the individual goals and needs of the student, whether it be completing AMEB exams, learning oboe as part of a school band programme, pursuing music as a career, or simply learning for sheer pleasure.

I teach all ages from 7 upwards (if the child is physically ready), and specialise in both school-age and adult learners. It is never too late to learn the oboe!

At all levels, I place a strong emphasis on correct technique, breathing and posture, achieving the best oboe sound possible. In addition, I take great pleasure in providing my students with a comprehensive knowledge about music in general. I aim to create not just oboists, but musicians.

I am passionate about music and all the ways it benefits my students. It is a privilege to witness and be a part of their musical, intellectual and emotional growth.

I stock oboe reeds suitable for beginner to intermediate levels, available for my students to purchase at $30.00 each. These are the high quality K.Ge Student Artist reeds made from resilient and beautifully toned Chinese cane. They arrive machine profiled, and I check and, if necessary, hand-finish each one. Students are welcome to try a selection of reeds before purchase, and ongoing adjustments are provided during lessons at no extra cost. Every care is taken to make the process of trying reeds hygienic and safe.

I am also able to adjust reeds purchased elsewhere during lessons. 

Tuition is available in all aspects of reed making and reed adjustment for the more advanced student.

Tuition in Music Theory, Music Craft and Musicianship (up to Grade 4) are available as an add-on to oboe lessons – please add 15 minutes to regular lesson time.

30 minutes: suitable for a beginner to AMEB 3rd grade

45 minutes: suitable for AMEB 4th and 5th grades

60 minutes: suitable for AMEB 6th grade and above

Lesson fees are GST inclusive.

30 minute lessons: $56.00 ($560 per 10 Week Term)
45 minute lessons: $81.50 ($815 per 10 Week Term)
60 minute lessons: $106.00 ($1060 per 10 Week Term)

Invoiced per term, aligned to NSW Public School terms. Lessons will take place as usual on Pupil-free days or Public Holidays (unless otherwise advised) and the final Saturday at the end of term - please apply for a makeup lesson well in advance if you are not available on these days, or at the beginning/end of term for students that are travelling.

Please note I do not offer reduced weeks for students that have a shorter term, for example private school students that finish a few weeks before the public schools. All students pay for a full ten-week term; makeup lessons can be offered in advance during the term if I have sufficient notice. Holiday makeup lessons are not guaranteed as I am not always available. No makeup lessons can be carried over to the following term.

Trial, holiday and casual lessons are available on request and subject to my availability, and are charged at the same rates per lesson. Adults learners are very welcome!

1. Lessons are delivered weekly, or twice weekly by request, according to public school terms. All terms are 10 weeks. Students commit for the entire term.  New students may commence mid-term if lessons times are available, and after that commit to full terms. If a student is away for part of the term, and cannot attend makeup lessons, the full term fee is still payable. The lesson time has been reserved for that student, and therefore must be paid for in full.

2. If a lesson falls on a public holiday or pupil-free day, the lesson will usually take place as normally scheduled. Please give notice well in advance that you cannot attend a lesson on a pupil-free day or public holiday so a makeup can be scheduled.

3. Final term lessons are delivered on the Saturday at the end of week 10, usually the first Saturday of the school holidays. If a Saturday student cannot attend because they are travelling or for any other reason, a makeup lesson should be scheduled well in advance.

4. In the case of illness or other reason a student cannot attend their scheduled time, a makeup lesson will be given at a mutually agreeable time. In the same way, if I cannot attend a lesson for any reason, a mutually agreeable time for a makeup lesson will be arranged. Please give as much notice as possible for known events, however I will accept rescheduling for illness or injury before 9.00am on the day of the lesson. Unfortunately, cancellations after this time will result in a forfeit of the lesson fee. I am happy to teach via Zoom at any time for any reason – just let me know before the lesson is scheduled to begin.

5. Makeup lessons should be scheduled during the school term as close as possible to the missed lesson, so that the student does not lose momentum with their learning. Holiday makeup lessons are not guaranteed as I am not always available. No lessons can be carried over to the following term or the next calendar year.

Please limit rescheduling as much as possible, as my timetable is usually busy and does not allow for much flexibility. It will not be possible for me to continue teaching students that require constant scheduling changes.

6. Invoices for the full term will be issued during the first weeks of term, and are payable within two weeks of issue.

7. Notification to discontinue lessons in the following term must be given by Week 9 of the previous term, including the intention to discontinue lessons in the following calendar year.