The wema sunday session coming soon.

Our teaching staff are reliable and constant. Many of our staff have been with us from almost the start - some beginning as students. This enables WEMA to provide a stable and enjoyable teaching environment.

 Our belief is that we have recruited the best, dedicated teachers available, who will help you tap into your creative potential and have fun with it.

STEPHANIE TORNATORA

Vocals:

Stephanie Tornatora has worked in the music industry for over twenty years. In that time she has sung with some of Perth's most successful bands - including The Night After, Blush , Dick and the Dames, 04 Zero and Our Gang. Currently with Hit Factory

She has vast experience as a backing vocalist for some of Australia's most popular artists including Deborough Conway, John English, Doc Neeson (Angels), Mark Gable(Choir Boys),Eric Wiederman (1927) and Angry Anderson (Rose Tattoo). Stephanie has also worked the television median including the "Good News Week" team singing backing vocals for Paul McDermot and Fiona Horne for the New Years Eve show filmed in Perth in 1998 for ABC network, and numerous Telethons. She has worked at numerous corporate shows and some cultural events and sung on many CDs for local artists. Occasionally co-ordinates school holiday music projects and co-ordinates a 20 part choir at Christmas time and guest lecturer at TAFE for the music industry.

Stephanie can be heard singing radio/TV jingles including Bunnings, Pot Black, Instant Windscreens and Red Rooster.

She studied at Edith Cowan Academy of Performing/Arts for two years and attained a Diploma of Music certificate.

She has been teaching for seven years. Currently a Vocal teacher at West End Music Academy and at Prendiville College.

FRANK MACERI

Guitar:

Frank became a teacher at WEMA in 1992, shortly after completing a 12 month certificate at the prestigious Guitar Institute of Technology (Musicians Institute) in Los Angeles, and has since become a very integral member of the teaching faculty. Frank is also the current guitar teacher at Thornlie Senior High School and at Carmel Primary and Senior High Schools.

He has had 15 years experience as a live performer and some of his best on stage moments include working with members of the Mariah Carey band and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

RUSSELL HOLMES

Piano:

Russell has performed as a professional musician/arranger over the past 20 years. Some notable achievements include performing in such bands as the "Ragabillys" the "Sentimental Blokes", MPS, Forecast and the Russell Holmes trio. Educated in many styles of music and possessing a degree in Jazz, he has been recorded on at least a dozen or more C.Ds, the most recent and notable being MPS Live.

Having performed over 150 times in the last 3 years at the RHT, his experienceas a live jazz performer continues to see him sought after by respected jazz and contemporary musicians alike. He currently lectures in piano,theory and rhythm studies at the W.A. Conservatorium of Music.

MATT CRISP

Drums:

Matt Crisp is WEMA's drumming instructor. Born and raised in Perth, he was exposed to a variety of instruments and music form a very young age, and eventually chose to play the drums. When he was eleven he received his first drum set as a birthday present, and taught himself to play. Whilst in high school, Matt played percussion in the school orchestra, as well in numerous local rock and pop bands. During this time he was accepted into WEMA’s acclaimed Rock Group Program, and was coached by Nunzio Calabrese, in a group that later became the successful Perth band Felix. .

After graduating from high school in 1998, Matt went to study at the renowned Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), and under the direction of drummer/lecturer Chris Tarr he completed Certificate IV in music and and Bachelor of Arts (Jazz). Since then Matt has performed with many Perth bands, including; Flavor, Maybe Angels, and Big Red Sky, as well as a support for Jimmy Barnes. .

Matt joined the WEMA team in 2004. He is happy to take on students of any age and ability.

CATERINA CATALANO

Piano/Junior Course:

Caterina commenced studying the piano when she was four, at the age of six she started lessons at West End Music Academy and has been at WEMA ever since, participating in all the shows and concerts.

At sixteen Caterina was asked to join the Mercy College Jazz Band and enjoyed performing at various venues in and around Perth. The highlight of her time in the jazz band was in 2001 when she undertook a European tour, which included Austria, Germany and Switzerland, which culminated with an invitation to perform at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, which boasted many famous performers including Sting.

Upon her return, she successfully completed the AGMS Proficiency Certificate and has been teaching at WEMA specialising in the Junior Program.

MELISSA

Vocals/Junior Course:

Melissa commenced working at West End Music Academy (WEMA) as a receptionist and shortly after had her first vocal lesson. She begain singing at various WEMA concerts and joined the WEMA Rock Program. In 1999, she was offered a position in the band 'Felix' who over the past five years have established themselves as one of Perth's leading bands, who have released two CD's in the past two years.

Melissa is a creative vocalist and as a vocal tutor, always incorporates the element of creativity in her lessons. she has been instrumental in developing the concept for the 'Kids only Singing Zone'. She specialises in working with younger students ensuring that lessons are not only practical but also fun and enjoyable.

CHARLETTE BARRY

Vocals:

Charlette has been a performer from the age of 14. Commencing dance training at the age of 4, Charlette majored in Jazz Ballet, Contemporary dance and classical ballet at the Contemporary Dance Centre, for ten years. In 1992 she established a song and dance academy for high priority families, tutoring students from ages five to adulthood. The school folded in 1998 when Charlette gained entry into the Diploma of Contemporary Music at the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts, Charlette majored in voice and undertook units in composing, theory, aural and performance.

Charlette had her first introduction into film and television in 1992 starring in the Baron Film production of 'Bay City'. Her television experience went on to include appearances on Channel nine's Perth's Young Entertainers, Telethon and The Jenny Seaton Show. In 1997, Charlette was short-listed for the Cameron McIntosh Broadway production of 'Miss Saigon' attending the preparatory school at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and in the following year Charlette co-starred with Mark Williams and Angry Anderson in the 1998 season of Jesus Christ Superstar at His Majesty Theatre. In 1999, Charlette sang for the opening of the Italian Song Festival at The Perth Concert Hall and The International Song Festival at Burswood Convention Centre. Within the same year, she was casted as principal vocalist in the Civic Theatre Restaurant's 'Five Past Nine' production, co-starring with Max Kay. Charlette has performed with several local bands in Perth and in 2004, travelled to Cambodia to play for the New Year's Eve celebration, which was attended by the Cambodian Royal Family.

NUNZIO CALABRESE

Piano/Keyboard - Director:

Nunzio began studying music at age 9. His first gig was at age 12; and some 30 years later is still maintaining a hectic performance schedule.

He has performed in and managed some of Perths top bands over the past three decades. His performance highlights include playing with the members of the Mariah Carey band, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Baby Animals and Joan Jett to name a few. He also co-ordinated live to air "The Rock Shift" on Channel 7s Telethon for  several years in the 1990's.

At age 18, Nunzio began teaching and in 1987 founded WEMA. Many of his students have gone on to make their way in the world of music. His latest creation, the "WEMA School of Rock" will ensure that many more students will do the same.

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