Our story
At Freedom Music Studios, we provide quality tuition and artist development for students of all ages and abilities. Our welcoming and supportive environment allows students to experiment and take risks while building their confidence.
In our studio in Rowville, South East Melbourne, we invite people who have always had an inkling that they’d like to sing, or perform to explore their talent.
We have a team of friendly, passionate and expert teachers.
Throughout the year, students have regular performance opportunities in front of a live audience. This motivates them to continue practicing and maintain enthusiasm for their next lesson. It also provides a space for students to socialise and collaborate on musical items. Parents, families and friends get to know one another as they enjoy the shows and witness the progress in front of their loved ones. For us, it’s wonderful to see students of all ages interacting and learning from one another.
When you start having lessons with us, you are more than just a customer or a student – you are part of The Freedom Music Family.
Meet our Founder and Team
We are a passionate team of teachers at Freedom Music Studios who have dedicated our lives to the mastery and performance of our craft.
Clare Thomas
Principal and Vocal Coach
Clare is the driving force behind Freedom Music Studios. Her personality, experience and passion for the industry have led to the wide range of services we offer our students today. After spending 20 years studying the art of Vocal Production, she has gained an extensive set of qualifications including a Bachelor of Science majoring in anatomy and physiology, Diploma of Education and she’s completed The Compulsory Figures for Voice Control course four times. Clare has worked hard over the past 10 years to achieve her ranking as a certified Level 3 singing teacher with the Institute of Vocal Advancement.
Throughout her vocal career Clare has often been left feeling hoarse and fatigued due to a heavy vocal load, from both singing and public presenting. Over many years, Clare refused to believe that her voice was at its capacity and went on a mission to gain insights into the intricacies of vocal technique. During this time, she fell in love with the study of voice and all its facets including technique, style, artistry and performance. After years of study and research, Clare has a diverse knowledge and methodology towards teaching enduring, reliable, pain free and artistic voice production.
Clare’s Degree in Science, majoring in Physiology and Anatomy, gives her the skills to understand and discuss the singers ‘instrument’, the larynx. Her Diploma of Education and 10 years working as a class room teacher gives her the skills required to ‘teach’ all ages and vast amounts of experience working with children. Using her personal knowledge, learnings from courses and conversing with other vocal specialists, Clare can offer students many techniques that can be applied to vocal production and improve performance.
Her mission is to provide as many students as possible with the skills and strength required to ensure that they use their vocal instrument to its maximum potential!
Learn more about Clare and her singing experience on our blog
Chaniru Senevirathne
Vocal and Instrumental Coach
Introducing Chaniru, an exemplary music enthusiast and accomplished musician! From an early age, Chaniru has dedicated himself to mastering the piano and vocals, evolving into a skilled musician and experienced tutor. He has received academic qualifications in instrumental and vocal performance, as well as music theory, propelling him to find success in the music industry.
Beyond the classroom, Chaniru is a dynamic stage performer. As a lead vocalist and pianist, he has captivated audiences being part of numerous live band performances across genres such as pop, rock, blues, jazz, and R&B. His musical expertise also includes training in violin and guitar, and he is exploring music production as a hobby. During high school, Chaniru was the main bass vocalist in his choir, earning victories in various inter-school competitions and representing his alma mater in the prestigious Asia Pacific Choir Games.
Distinguished by his versatility, Chaniru excels in reading music, playing by ear, and improvisation. His journey, also marked by his continued participation in competitions and musical/theatrical productions, is a testament to his dedication, making him an inspiring mentor and performer.
Indiana Gaunt
Vocal and Instrumental Coach
Indie has been a keen lover of all things music! Growing up, she had a love of performing and singing that passion has followed her throughout her life!
Indie’s favourite aspect of music is musical theatre. She has been a cameo performer in musicals such as ‘The Wedding Singer’, ‘A Chorus Line’, ‘We Will Rock You’ and featured in leading roles of Ella in ‘Popstars’ and Maria Rainer in ‘The Sound of Music’. On top of this, she enjoys playing a variety of instruments such as guitar, piano, and ukulele.
Olivia Quintrell
Vocal and Instrumental Coach
Having joined the Freedom Family in her early teenage years, to now becoming a singing teacher herself, Olivia has been involved with everything music from a young age. Singing has been an integral part of her life, granting her opportunities in performance, spanning from theatre to corporate gigs. Olivia was also a finalist in the 2016 Knox Factor competition, receiving the “Peoples Choice Award”. She completed her Certificate II in music performance as part of her VCE studies, concluding the year as dux of this unit. She also enjoys playing many instruments, such as guitar, piano, and ukulele which she will often accompany herself with. Originally being very shy and introverted, Olivia was able to build her confidence through the power of performance and hopes to do the same with her students.
Olivia finds that music is a unique avenue for self-expression and unity, and as an avid songwriter, advocates for the therapeutic nature of singing. These are ideas with which she hopes to inspire her students with and to encourage them to express themselves through their gifts.
Callum McDonald
Instrumental Coach
Callum is a guitarist with over a decade of performance experience from when he was in primary school all the way through to today.
He has always been a keen musician, playing in school musicals, performance nights, awards ceremonies, and more throughout his schooling. As Music Captain and head of the jazz ensemble in high school, he achieved multiple creative achievement/music awards and completed VCE music performance. Callum was accepted to the Melbourne Conservatory of Music before leaving to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Music – Composition which he concluded in 2021.
Today, he spends his time writing music, with the hopes of one day becoming a full-time film composer.
Callum is more than excited to share his passion for all things music with anyone and everyone who wants to learn.
Hezy Suramarta
Instrumental Coach
Hezy has been actively involved in the music industry as a member of a contemporary jazz band. He has performed in many Jazz Festivals in Victoria, weddings and corporate events. He is highly outcome-driven and motivated with solid experience.
Hezy has been teaching music for over 15 years, he seeks to equip his students with the performance, composition, and theoretical skills that will see them excel in any path they take in music.
Nic Courtney
Instrumental Coach
Nic is our Pro Drum Teacher, from regional Western Australia. He has been drumming for 13 years which has changed his life in the best ways possible. Nic’s passion and dedication towards drumming have allowed him to tour Australia multiple times as well as the North Island of New Zealand and the Philippines to crowds of over 5000 people.
With all this experience under his belt, Nic still has the ability to work with everyone from the youngest and most inexperienced through to the more advanced drum students with his patient, skilful and well honed teaching methodology.
Stephanie Chin
Instrumental Coach
Stephanie is an accomplished pianist with over a decade of training in classical piano and music theory. Stephanie has been trained under the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada, completing both practical and theory examinations to a high level. Stephanie has performed as an accompanist in both jazz and mixed choirs. Stephanie has a breadth of experience in preparing students for AMEB piano and Theory of Music examinations across the various keyboard syllabi with high exam results.
Whether it be learning for fun or for examinations, Stephanie hopes to instil a lifelong love and appreciation for the art of music.
Georgia McAleer
Vocal Coach
Georgia is an up-and-coming performing artist, composer and voice teacher based in Melbourne. Growing up surrounded by great entertainment in the Yarra Valley, Georgia found her passion for all things performing arts at a young age. While studying a Bachelor of Performing Arts at Federation University, she has had the opportunity to work on productions such as Into The Woods as “The Baker’s Wife”, Jane Eyre as “Composer/Mrs Fairfax” and Tribe as “Princess”. Georgia performed as a Resident Artist with Broadway Unplugged in 2023 & 2024 as well as performed in the Melbourne Fringe Festival sold-out season of Searching For Betty in 2023.
Georgia’s approach to teaching utilises imagery and anatomy-based learning, alongside performance and presentation skills to help instil confidence within students.
Meg Wagner
Vocal Coach
Meg has been a fan of all things music and performance for as long as she can remember! She was raised surrounded by music and constantly sang with her family wherever she could. To this day, not much has changed, except that it now irritates her siblings much more!
Meg is enthusiastic about being a part of all the creative opportunities offered to her. She has been part of multiple musicals, including ‘The Addams Family’, ‘Hairspray’, ‘Catch Me if You Can’ as Brenda Strong, ‘In The Heights’ as Nina Rosario, and the title role of Mary Poppins in ‘Mary Poppins’. On top of this, she completed both Music Performance and Theatre Studies to a high standard in 2018. She has furthered her training by studying full-time Musical Theatre at Showfit with Centrestage Performing Arts School. Meg is still consistently in amateur theatre shows around Melbourne.
Sarah McPhee
Vocal Coach
Sarah has been singing since before she could talk. Growing up, music always played a part in her life.
She started out in The Australian Girls Choir when she was 6 and continued through her primary years. In high school she was a part of choirs, acapella groups and multiple school productions. Outside of her schooling she continued her love for music by achieving feature roles in the variety shows “The Next, Next Big Thing” and “Lights, Camera, Music!” with Windmill Theatre Company.
Sarah has a Bachelor of Music (Music Theatre) from The Australian Institute of Music. Where she studied all things theatre! From vocals, dance and acting. She even played the leading role of ‘Rona Lisa Peretti’ in her companies production of ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’
Sarah continues to find new ways to express her love for music and that has led her to teaching! She is still an aspiring performer but hopes she can share some of her love and skills with others.
Tamika Brooks
Vocal Coach
Tamika has been passionate about music all her life. Being part of an arts specialist high school, she surrounded herself with music from a very young age, writing music and participating in school musicals. She continued her music studies in university, focusing on music production, and completed a Certificate IV in the music industry.
Tamika is exceptionally passionate about performing; being up on the stage is where she shines the most. She always encourages her students to get up and perform, building their confidence and allowing them to have a great experience on stage. In addition to performing, Tamika enjoys writing and producing music. She wrote her first EP in high school and performed it for her VET Music Exam, earning an impressive 92% for her original music performance.
Tamika is excited to share her passion for music and help her students become the best performers they can be!
Kathryn Vavasseur
Reception and Admin
Kathryn, the welcoming presence at the heart of our administration team. As our Reception and Admin maestro, Kathryn plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of our studio. Her friendly demeanour and warm smile make her the first friendly face you’ll encounter as you step into our creative space.
From starting as a student herself back in 2017, Kathryn has seen firsthand the growth and support students receive in their lessons. She is very passionate about our Studio and wants nothing more than to share her love with blooming musicians.
