Instrumental Music Department Staff
The
McClelland College Music Department is fortunate to have no less than 6
instrumental staff members. Our staff are experienced teachers and musicians
who are dedicated to providing every student with the individual attention and
care necessary for their ongoing development and growth as musicians. Many of
our teachers continue to enjoy productive careers as professional musicians
outside of school hours and are well-respected artists within the wider musical
community.
Eric Budd - Head of Music, Band Class Director, Brass and Woodwind
Eric began playing piano at the age of 6. He later began learning both Trumpet and Trombone in year 7 at high school, and from there he has made music through all sorts of lengths of tubing! Eric is a true multi-instrumentalist, who plays Brass and Woodwind instruments.
This versatility has placed Eric in various work settings allowing him to become quite an eclectic musician. Eric holds a Bachelor of Music Performance and Post Graduate Diploma of Music Performance from the Victorian College of the Arts, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma of Education from Monash University.
His performance experience has been wide-ranging from Orchestral, Film Score, Recording Sessions, Classical, Jazz, Big Band, Latin, Funk, Rock, Soul, World Music and continues to be a very active musician on the Melbourne jazz and commercial music scene. Subsequently, Eric has performed regular gigs and live television engagements, is a member of The Singing Bee, Australia’s Got Talent and the X Factor house bands, has performed on National and International Tours and recorded on many CDs as a guest artist. Eric recently performed with Michael Buble for the 2013 Logies awards.
On top of his playing schedule, Eric co-ordinates the instrumental music department at McClelland College. Eric teaches all brass and saxophone students at the college, and directs the Junior Band, Intermediate Band, Concert Band, Brass Ensemble, Trombone Quartet, Tuba Quartet and the Saxophone Ensemble.
This versatility has placed Eric in various work settings allowing him to become quite an eclectic musician. Eric holds a Bachelor of Music Performance and Post Graduate Diploma of Music Performance from the Victorian College of the Arts, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma of Education from Monash University.
His performance experience has been wide-ranging from Orchestral, Film Score, Recording Sessions, Classical, Jazz, Big Band, Latin, Funk, Rock, Soul, World Music and continues to be a very active musician on the Melbourne jazz and commercial music scene. Subsequently, Eric has performed regular gigs and live television engagements, is a member of The Singing Bee, Australia’s Got Talent and the X Factor house bands, has performed on National and International Tours and recorded on many CDs as a guest artist. Eric recently performed with Michael Buble for the 2013 Logies awards.
On top of his playing schedule, Eric co-ordinates the instrumental music department at McClelland College. Eric teaches all brass and saxophone students at the college, and directs the Junior Band, Intermediate Band, Concert Band, Brass Ensemble, Trombone Quartet, Tuba Quartet and the Saxophone Ensemble.
Samantha Clough - Flute
Samantha is a flute specialist, but also doubles on many woodwind instruments. She enjoys putting her amazing skills to great use in theatre pits, and both orchestral and chamber ensembles. She loves to share the gift of music and is passionate about helping students be their best.
Samantha is a new addition to our department this year and is looking forward to working with our music department and community.
Samantha is a new addition to our department this year and is looking forward to working with our music department and community.
Dan Gordon
Dan Gordon grew up in Adelaide, where he maintained a busy music career playing tuba and double bass with various bands including a five-year stint with the popular quintet E-Type Jazz After spending two years working in resident orchestras on cruise ships, Dan settled in Melbourne in 2001, and has been playing with bands including the Ruby Page Quintet, the Radio Rhythm Orchestra and Gianni Marinucci's Birth of the Cool Nonet. Dan leads our classroom program at McClelland College.
Vicki Shen
It is Vicky's second year at McClelland College and she is already making great progress with the string department. She leads the string ensemble and teaches Violin/Viola/Cello and Double Bass.
Michelle Cleland - Clarinet and Bass Guitar
Michelle Cleland commenced her teaching career in England as the Head of Department in local Secondary schools and later specialised in woodwind teaching. She has experience of working as a woodwind teacher in many state and private primary and secondary schools in Melbourne.
She studied in England under the guidance and tutorage of musicians from the Halle Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Michelle has performed in England on a professional level; however, her career has focused on pursuing her interest in Music Education since arriving in Australia.
She received a Distinction for completing a Masters Degree in Music Education from Monash University in 2008 and intends on undertaking a PhD in Music Education in the near future.
She studied in England under the guidance and tutorage of musicians from the Halle Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Michelle has performed in England on a professional level; however, her career has focused on pursuing her interest in Music Education since arriving in Australia.
She received a Distinction for completing a Masters Degree in Music Education from Monash University in 2008 and intends on undertaking a PhD in Music Education in the near future.
Gideon Marcus - Percussion
Gideon has travelled and performed professionally in a broad range of styles.
He is an energetic teacher and enjoys teaching students that percussion is more than just hitting things! Gideon is a gifted and in demand drummer in the Melbourne Jazz scene.
He is an energetic teacher and enjoys teaching students that percussion is more than just hitting things! Gideon is a gifted and in demand drummer in the Melbourne Jazz scene.
Emma Avery - Voice
Emma has studied music since she was young, taking up classical piano when she was 12 and classical voice when she was 15. After receiving an award for outstanding achievement in her VCE music studies (classical voice), she discovered a passion for jazz which led her to continue her music education at the Victorian College of the Arts completing a Certificate in Music Performance and Improvisation, and subsequently attaining a Bachelor of Music (Jazz/Popular singing) at Monash University.
Emma has performed at numerous venues around Melbourne and Victoria such as BMW Edge - Federation Square, Wangaratta Festival of Jazz, 2004 Official Grand Prix Ball at Crown Palladium, 2004 Australian Open Launch at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Concert Hall, Alexander Theatre, Robert Blackwood Hall, Bennetts Lane Jazz Club and Dizzy's Jazz Bar.
Although jazz is Emma's speciality, she has a passion for all styles of music and is able to teach styles ranging from Classical to Contemporary, Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Country, Folk, Musical Theatre and Improvisation. Emma is also familiar with AMEB exams, having completed exams on piano, voice and music theory.
Emma has performed at numerous venues around Melbourne and Victoria such as BMW Edge - Federation Square, Wangaratta Festival of Jazz, 2004 Official Grand Prix Ball at Crown Palladium, 2004 Australian Open Launch at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Concert Hall, Alexander Theatre, Robert Blackwood Hall, Bennetts Lane Jazz Club and Dizzy's Jazz Bar.
Although jazz is Emma's speciality, she has a passion for all styles of music and is able to teach styles ranging from Classical to Contemporary, Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Country, Folk, Musical Theatre and Improvisation. Emma is also familiar with AMEB exams, having completed exams on piano, voice and music theory.