OUR STORY

Janine is a passionate multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, Registered Music Therapist, and fully accredited Level 3 ukulele teacher with the James Hill Ukulele Initiative (JHUI) Teacher Certification Program. She has been teaching ukulele on the Northern Beaches since 2011 and is the creator and musical director of the Lightly Strung Orchestra ukulele ensemble.

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Janine was a member of the The Australian Ukulele Orchestra from 2017-2021 and appeared in various music videos during Covid lockdowns including Paladio, Libertango, Sabre Dance, and The Entertainer.

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Janine is classically trained on flute and piano and holds a Bachelor of Music (Music Therapy) from the University of Melbourne. She has drum circle facilitation training with Arthur Hull (Village Music Circles) and Kalani Das (Developmental Community Music) as well as music and movement qualifications in Dalcroze Eurhythmics and has taught all these modalities to people across the lifespan. 

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Janine has toured and recorded nationally and internationally with a variety of semi-professional and amateur music groups including The Northern Beaches Orchestra, The Brass Machine Big Band and The Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

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Janine qualified as a Registered Music Therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association in 2005 and has over 17 years experience working with community music groups in aged care, early childhood music programs, as well as groups within the corporate sector.

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Janine has only one modus operandi and it doesn't involve an OFF switch. Her enthusiastic teaching style is positively infectious and she loves introducing music into people's lives, one uke at a time.

Jenny is a stunning vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and fully accredited Level 3 ukulele teacher with the James Hill Ukulele Initiative (JHUI) Teacher Certification Program. She has been teaching ukulele on the Northern Beaches since 2018.

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Jenny is also a member of The Australian Ukulele Orchestra and performs regularly at ukulele festivals and events.

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Jenny joined The Lightly Strung Orchestra in 2014. She has been a key mentor and teacher for newer members for many years, and for the past 4 years has also been a brilliant co-leader of the group. Jenny's enthusiasm and passionate quest for the LSO to continue during Covid is one of the main reasons the group made it out the other side relatively intact and we are all so grateful for that! 

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In addition to her ukulele playing, Jenny is well known for her cracking vocals and performances. Her vocal training began when she was just 5 years old when she began singing and performing with the Sydney Juniors Talent Group! She is currently a member of the wonderful community of Hummingsong Choirs and performing with great joy and abandon!

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Jenny is also classically trained on piano and violin and has taught the piano privately for over 15 years. Jenny also developed a passion for sharing music with children and ran Kindermusik classes for 15 years as well.

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Jenny has been in a leadership role across our foundation and beginner level programs for the past 5 years and brings great warmth and joy to her sessions.

 

Jenny's teaching style is inclusive and very encouraging and her calm approach is often the yin to Janine's yang when they combine forces and teach together! 

Anne is one of the most humble yet talented multi-instrumentalists you will meet! A certified rock chick, Anne has been teaching and playing music (ukulele, guitar, piano, violin, guitar and bass) professionally since 1990.

 

Anne is also a member of The Australian Ukulele Orchestra and was part of the crew that filmed & performed orchestrated arrangements by Ian Porter during Covid lockdowns including Paladio, Libertango, Sabre Dance, The Entertainer, Dance of the Little Swans, and Pinball Wizard.

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Anne holds a Bachelor of Music from UNE in Armadale, an A.Mus.A in piano and is registered with the AMEB (Australian Music Examination Board) for exam purposes. 

 

Anne has taught at a number of music schools and lead various school bands. She has played in a variety of rock, jazz, and fusion bands. For a bit of variety, she would occasionally sit in and play violin with the local community orchestra.

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Since 2003, Anne has been running a teaching studio in Dee Why and she offers face-to-face and online lessons in ukulele, guitar, piano, violin, guitar and bass! Anne accepts Creative Kids Vouchers at her studio.

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Luckily for us, fate caused Anne to join The Lightly Strung Orchestra in 2015 as our bass player. Since then, her beautiful vocals and teaching experience makes her an invaluable co-leader of the group. 

 

Anne is our rock. Not only is her musical talent incredible, but her funny sense of humour has us all cracking up and in a 1:1 situation helps lighten any stress students may be feeling.

Janet is one of our most experienced ukulele players with a serious dedication to learning her craft. She has almost a decade of performance experience on concert/tenor and baritone ukulele and began teaching privately in 2022.

 

She has been a valued mentor and soloist in the Lightly Strung Orchestra since 2014.

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Janet is also a creative arts and recreational leader in aged care and regularly runs music reminiscence sessions on the ukulele in the aged care facility she works at.

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We are super excited to officially welcome Janet to the Making Music 4 Life team in 2023.

 

Her dad once described Janet as "only having 2 speeds... stop and go fast". And we have no doubt you will find the enthusiasm and energetic spirit she brings to every session delightful!