Gemma Tully
B.Mus Jazz/Popular Monash University
I am a professional musician and music teacher based in Tootgarook on the Mornington Peninsula. My home business Tootgarook Piano & Singing brings together two of my greatest passions: music and education.
I have been teaching singing and piano for over 15 years at primary schools, secondary schools, and private music schools. I currently teach at The Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School in Warranwood and from my own home studio in Tootgarook.
I bring kindness and patience to every lesson allowing students to feel relaxed and confident in their learning. I strive to design lessons that are based on each student's interests, goals and abilities. Creativity and play are key elements in my teaching style, with the aim to inspire and motivate students.
I hold a Bachelor of Music from Monash University, where I majored in Performance of Jazz/Pop Voice (2012) and I am currently completing a Master of Teaching (Secondary) at Deakin University. I am dedicated to life-long learning and engage regularly in professional development.
I have performed extensively as a professional singer for over a decade. I am a long-term member of Invenio Singers, an experimental choir made up of improvising singers led by renowned jazz singer/composer Gian Slater. I am also the leader and composer for my band Gemma Tully & The Thornbirds, a jazz-folk-poetry ensemble. I have collaborated with various artists, most recently with jazz pianist Ade Ishs. I have also sung on a number of albums including; Invenio's Clarion/Whisper, Barney Mcall's GRAFT, GT & The Thornbirds self-titled EP and 2016 album A Sprig, a Spark. If you would like to hear some of my music you can find me on Youtube, Bandcamp and other online platforms.
I hold a current Working With Children Check.