THE TEAM
ABOUT US
ELIZABETH WIGHT-VIRGONA
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IN SESSION STUDIOS is owned and operated by Elizabeth. As a singer and performer in the entertainment industry for the past 13 years, Liz understands how imperative it is to have strong vocal and performance coaching. It is her aim to give students of all ages and abilities the opportunity to sing and perform with confidence and ease.
Liz has studied in the arts of singing, performance and piano, honing her craft, to become the experienced vocalist she is today. She has studied many different styles and singing techniques with some of Australia’s greatest teachers including Ron Lees and Tania G. This mix of contemporary, classical and gospel techniques, has helped her to become a polished vocalist and allows her a broad spectrum of skills to share with her students.
MIRIAM GURVICH
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Miriam has worked as an In Session Studios team member since 2016. She specialises in teaching singing, piano, guitar, ukulele and performance classes. With a background in primary school teaching, Miriam has used her skills to create lessons which are engaging, hands on, and enjoyable for students of all ages. Miriam finds teaching extremely rewarding and she feels lucky she can combine her two main passions, music and teaching, together.
“Often students at the beginning of their music journey can feel that learning an instrument is an unreachable goal. It’s something they’ve always wanted to do, but don’t think they can ever reach the point they want. But after having several lessons, they start to see that they are slowly achieving their goal whilst having fun and learning something new. They realise that by taking small steps each week and learning a new skill each lesson, their goal is achievable. I find that a very rewarding experience and take pride in helping all students reach their music goals.”
Miriam's love of music began at a young age. Throughout primary school, Miriam had piano and flute lessons and was a member of her school band. She also participated in several musicals. Later in high school Miriam began learning guitar and also honed her singing skills.
More recently, Miriam has performed in a covers band, and also as a pianist and singer.
Miriam’s skills as an instrumentalist, singer and performer make her an ideal teacher for students interested in combining vocals with an instrument. Miriam is a very supportive and encouraging teacher whose love of music and teaching shines through.
SHANI WAKEFIELD
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Shani has been a member of the music industry for the past 8 years. Her love of music stems from childhood where she began singing in choirs at the age of 6. As a young adult she began touring with local and internationally known bands featuring a combination of fusion, soul, jazz and Motown style genres. Shani has a diploma in Contemporary Music Performance and has performed at numerous venues across Melbourne.
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Shani is intrigued by the wide range of vocal styles that can be found in her students. As a result, she has developed a number of methods to improve vocal technique, vocal confidence, expression and performance. She strives to empower students with the knowledge, confidence and ability to reach for their goals and to achieve their full potential whether it be vocally or instrumentally.
BRITTANY CONBOY
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Brittany is a qualified singing and music teacher having completed her Diploma of Music Performance and Business specialising in Voice Coaching in 2014. She also holds certificates 3 and 4 in Music and has completed NIDA's cabaret collective workshops, musical theatre productions such as Grease and Shout! The Musical, and toured nationally with international artists. She is an active singer-songwriter currently enjoying performing at various residencies with her indie-pop band in Melbourne.
Brittany loves teaching singing and piano, both theory and performance and helping her students grow their vocal strength, find their voice and use it with confidence. She enjoys helping students set and reach their goals in contemporary vocal styles like pop, jazz, folk and musical theatre as well as song performance within a band and self- accompaniment.
KATARINA VAN DER LINDEN ​
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Katarina comes from Slovenia, a tiny European country, surrounded by Alps and Adriatic Sea. She’s been singing and playing instruments all her life. She was performing with her family’s singing quartet (mum, dad and her younger brother) for over 30 years, singing traditional Slovenian folk music, accompanied by the zither and harmonica, mostly in Europe and in Australia. Together they recorded five albums.
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Kat's first instrument was a violin, but at the age of 9 she discovered her true love – the piano. She attended Music High School in Velenje, majoring in piano and saxophone. Her mentors were Oto Vrhovnik (AUT), Arno Bornkamp (NL), Igor Lumpert (USA), Lev Pupis (SLO), Jaka Pucihar (SLO), Konstantin Bogino (RUS) etc. She studied music pedagogy at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana and graduated in 2010.
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Back in 2001 Kat and her brother formed a rock band and ended up recording three of their own songs. Katarina is also a songwriter. She’s written material for various Slovenian bands and choirs. She also writes poetry, both in Slovenian and English. Her work was published in Slovenia in 2001 and 2015.
She’s been teaching children aged 3-18 for the past 20 years. She’s also a proud mum to her 16-year old son. Before she immigrated to Australia, she was teaching music theory, piano, saxophone, harmonica, recorder, choir singing and Orff methodology at the Rudolf Maister High School in Kamnik, Slovenia. Her students were studying to become pre-school teachers.
JOIN US
Here at In Session Studios we are always looking to expand and grow our team...
If you have any interest in teaching, sharing your knowledge and the joy of the arts with others, then get in touch! If you are unsure whether or not you are qualified, send us an email anyway. If you are unsure whether or not our hours will suit you, contact us anyway! It never hurts to put your name out there! We are a friendly, family focused small business always looking for committed, realiable individuals to join our team!
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CONTACT: Elizabeth
PHONE: 0410 895 512
EMAIL: info@insessionstudios.com