Meet Our Tutors
Nic Jeffries
Director, Clarinet, Saxophone, Voice
by special appointment only
Nic is JAM's Principal, and Director of the academy. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree, majoring in Jazz performance from The Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Nic is widely respected as an educator as well as a live performer, and has performed alongside some of the biggest names in the Australian music business. Nic was a contestant on the popular TV series 'The Voice' in 2016 turning a rare 4 chairs from the coaches. He was a performer in the HSC 'Encore Series' in 2001 after receiving a mark of 100% for HSC music performance.
Josh Hunter
Trumpet
Joshua has been playing trumpet for 15 years, and is studying a Bachelor of Music Performance, Majoring in Jazz Trumpet at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Currently in his second year, he is already a part of the Conservatorium's premier Jazz Orchestra and is playing lead trumpet in the Conservatorium's second Jazz Orchestra.
With a background in Jazz, Commercial, Latin and Funk, Joshua has learnt from some of Australia’s most well known Jazz Musicians, Writers, Arrangers and Trumpet Players. Joshua regularly performs at gigs around Sydney, including the internationally renowned Manly Jazz Festival.
Joshua believes that music should be fun and engaging, while also being challenging and something that pushes you to grow, not just as a musician, but as a person. He strives to give his student the tools to teach themselves and explore their own musical interests, allowing them to reach their full potential as musicians.
Suzy Milton
Flute, Piccolo
Growing up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Suzy started learning flute at age 8 and piccolo at age 10. She has studied a Bachelor of flute performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with teachers James Kortum, Emma Sholl, Joshua Batty, and Melissa Farrow (Baroque traverso), and she has received specialist piccolo guidance from Rosamund Plummer and Peter Verhoyen.
During her studies, she was the Flute Ensemble Piccolo Concerto Winner and toured Spain with the Wind Symphony in 2019. Most notably, she was the concerto competition winner in 2021 and performed solo with the Symphony Orchestra. Suzy graduated the Conservatorium in 2022 with first class honours, writing a thesis on the importance of physical fitness for flute players. She currently performs as a casual flutist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and tutors students all over Sydney.
Suzy is known for her energetic and bubbly approach, and continually strives to help her students achieve their absolute best.
Clayton Allen
Drums, Percussion
Clayton is an experienced performer and educator in drums & percussion. He holds both a Diploma in Music from Nirimba College, and a Bachelor of Music Performance from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Clayton performs as a session and touring musician with a number of bands both locally and internationally. With the ability to communicate fluently with people of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels he helps his students to successfully develop their musical knowledge and abilities.
Irisa Yates
Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Toot
Irisa is an experienced performer and woodwind educator teaching Clarinet, Saxophone and Flute (and Toot!). Irisa has been playing Clarinet for 15 years, Saxophone for 13 years and the Flute for 5 years.
She is experienced in guiding many students through AMEB up to Grade 8 for Clarinet and Saxophone and Grade 7 for Flute. She has been teaching now for 4 years and occasionally plays gigs with a community big band.
Irisa is a committed and creative teacher who has experience with students of many ages and backgrounds and wants to share her love and passion for music with others.
Monty Taylor
Saxophone
Monty Taylor is a keen and friendly saxophone teacher. He is undertaking the prestigious Bachelor of Music Jazz Performance program at Sydney Conservatorium of Music and has 5 years of experience teaching saxophone to school aged students.
Monty holds multiple musical engagements, across varying styles of Jazz Big Band, pop-rock horn sections, and small ensembles.
Monty tailors lessons uniquely to each student, guiding them through new and challenging territories of learning with patience, appreciation for the student’s specific needs, interests and character.
He strives to make learning saxophone fun and engaging for his students, assisting their development as courageous and disciplined instrumentalists.
Lindsay Beach
Guitar
As a professional musician and educator for over twenty years, Lindsay takes great pride in mentoring students of all ages and experience levels, to help them discover the joys of music making and how it can benefit all aspects of life. He is particularly experienced with beginning students within the framework of school band programs but is equally comfortable guiding others to achieve their musical goals whatever they may be.
Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and has worked in the Sydney professional music scene since 2004.
He looks forward to helping his students achieve their full musical potential and most importantly to have fun.
Jaymie Perl
Voice
Jaymie is an experienced singer and performer who has been teaching singing for just over 3 years. She successfully completed her two-year Diploma of Musical Theatre in 2022, where she learned not only performance skills, but also vocal care and maintenance. She also went to TAFE for Music Performance and Newtown High School of the Performing Arts from grades 7 to 12. She has been taking singing lessons since she was nine years old and started teaching in 2019.
While Jaymie has a love of musical theatre, she has also trained as a contemporary singer and loves teaching a wide range of musical genres. She is committed to helping students of all ages achieve their singing goals. Whether it's to perform live in front of millions of people or to wow your friends at karaoke! She ensures that her lessons are a relaxed, welcoming environment where students can focus on improving their vocal abilities in a way that is fun and tailored to their own voices.
Skye Jeffries
Voice
by special appointment only
Skye is a wonderful vocal teacher known for her ability to draw out each student's unique vocal talent. She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from The Australian Institute of Music. She was a successful contestant on The Voice in 2013, writes and records her own music and regularly sings professionally around Australia and internationally. Working as a backing vocalist she has sung for artists such as Guy Sebastian, Damien Leith and 2019 winner of the voice, Diana Rouvas.
Michael Walder
Bass Guitar, Double Bass
Michael is an inspiring musician, educator and band leader with over 20 years experience performing on acoustic and electric bass. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Michael performs all around Australia and currently runs his own band "The Graduates" who perform for some of Sydney's most high profile corporate events.
James Fuller
Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Music Theory, Harmony, Musicianship & Arranging
James is a multi-talented musician, arranger and recording engineer with the ability to help students of all ages realise their musical dreams and abilities. He is currently studying a double degree in Music Studies (Composition) and Arts (Psychology) at The Sydney Conservatorium of Music and The University of Sydney.
James has extensive performing experience both in Piano and Guitar and continues to perform as a freelance musician in both corporate and original bands. He was nominated for the HSC 'Encore' series in 2016 and has also been awarded a Scholarship Award from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA.
James Schubert
Drums, Percussion
James Schubert is an inspiring performer and teacher. He has an energetic and enthusiastic approach to teaching drums & percussion and has been with JAM since it opened in 2017. He is currently studying a Bachelor of Music Performance majoring in Jazz drums at The Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Having started his journey in Jazz drums under the direction of Nic Jeffries, James now regularly performs around Australia touring with several different bands and artists.
Damon Jakovics
Trombone and Euphonium
Damon is currently a student at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying a Bachelor of Music majoring in Composition for Creative Industries.
Damon is a well-rounded musician and an aspiring composer with over 10 years of experience playing the trombone. During his time as a student, Damon completed up to 8th Grade AMEB and also achieved high results in HSC music. He also plays and performs at gigs with a variety of bands around Sydney.
Damon is a very committed teacher in providing young lower brass students with a fun and engaging musical education.
Isabelle Firtko
Voice
Bella is a skilled vocalist and singing teacher with over 10 years singing experience. She completed a Bachelor of Music majoring in Contemporary Performance (Voice) at the Australian Institute of Music in 2018 and is currently studying a Diploma in Christian Ministry - Majoring in Songwriting at C3 College.
Bella has been taught a variety of musical genres over the past decade and as a songwriter, she is currently crafting and writing her own music. Bella is bright, bubbly and passionate about teaching students of all ages how to discover and develop, not only their own unique voices, but their inner confidence and abilities.