Instrumental Music Teachers
Meet Andy Denny, a passionate guitarist, songwriter, and mentor with more than 30 years teaching experience. After studying Jazz Guitar and Composition at Box Hill Institute, Andy built a career helping students of all ages and stages discover the joy of music— from complete beginners through to VCE, AMEB, ANZCA, and aspiring tertiary music students. Andy fell in love with music as a teenager and has never looked back. Whether he's teaching, leading worship, writing, or recording his own music, Andy brings enthusiasm, creativity, and genuine encouragement to every lesson, inspiring students to grow in skill, knowledge and confidence.
Meet Allan Penning, a versatile brass, woodwind and piano teacher with a passion for helping students discover the joy of music. Allan studied Music Performance at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music where he begun his tutoring journey. He went on to perform with the Australasian Symphony Orchestra, Victorian Concert Orchestra and Marist Brass Band. Alongside teaching and performing, Allan enjoys composing and arranging music for chamber ensembles and bands, with five years of conducting experience, guiding ensembles and fostering confidence in young musicians. Allan believes music is a powerful way to connect with others and seeks to inspire students to use music as a creative and meaningful form of expression and communication.
Meet Cam Hateley, a dedicated drummer who has been passionate about music from childhood. Cam grew up listening to his parents' vinyl collection, beginning his own drumming journey in church at just seven years old. After completing school, Cam studied Music and Performance at JMC Academy in Melbourne during the early 2000s and went on to perform with bands across Australia, even alongside an Elvis impersonator! Today, he loves investing in the next generation through music education at Victory, helping equip young drummers to use their gifts to worship God and bring people to know Him through music.
Meet Catherine Stephens, a long standing and incredibly experienced piano teacher of more than 40 years. Catherine brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her lessons holding a Bachelor of Music, an Associate in Music Australia (Flute), and a Certificate of Performance (Piano). She has 30 years of experience holding music lessons alongside years of performance experience in the local church as a worship leader and band member. Catherine is passionate about guiding students on their musical journey and finds immense satisfaction in watching students reach the point where they can confidently share their music with others.
Meet Chris Morley, a multi-instrumentalist teacher of 3 decades. Chris started piano as a youngster, moving on to additional instruments during his High School years and then performing/touring extensively with bands throughout the 1990s and 2000. He has taught across public and private schools, music schools, specialist development schools, kindergartens and Veterans’ Affairs programs, now teaching piano and guitar at VCC and performing as a solo artist around Bendigo. Chris is fascinated by the philosophical and theological dimensions of music and what makes it resonate so deeply with people. He is thrilled to be part of the VCC community and looks forward to inspiring students through lessons, jam sessions, and performances.
Meet Jonathan Levy, an experienced educator in acoustic and electric guitar, bass, vocals and drums with more than 30 years of experience performing across Australia, Japan and the United States. Jonathon holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Production and Engineering from Berklee College of Music, where he studied under Grammy Award-winning professors and renowned guitarist Tomo Fujita. Jonathon currently directs a community choir at The Old Church on the Hill with more than 15 years of experience leading worship teams and mentoring young people through churches, camps and community events . Passionate about inspiring the next generation of musicians, Jonathon enjoys helping students grow in skill, creativity and confidence.
Meet Louise MacGregor, the qualified vocal educator behind "Little Lungs Music" who has been inspiring singers for more than 14 years. With an Advanced Diploma of Music from Box Hill Institute, Louise teaches students all ages through her individual lessons, school bands and wellbeing choirs. Louise performs regularly across Victoria at festivals, conferences, and weddings as an accomplished singer-songwriter and recording artist. Her musical career has also taken her internationally to Paris, Le Mans, London and Edinburgh. Holding a Certificate IV in Disability, Louise is passionate about making music accessible to everyone. This belief inspired her book, Sing Up, Boo! It’s Good For You!, and her community children’s singing group, The Inner Voice Ensemble. Louise feels privileged to share her love of music at VCC, where her three children attend school.
Meet Maddy Sandeman, a passionate piano and singing tutor who enjoys helping students of all ages and skill levels grow in confidence and develop their unique musical abilities. She completed VCE Music Performance in Classical Singing before earning a Bachelor of Music (Music Theatre) from the Australian Institute of Music. Maddy has taught at Victory Christian College, worked with a local music school, and continues to run her own private teaching studio. A lifelong lover of music, she discovered her passion for musical theatre through Nexus Bendigo Youth Theatre, where she performed for many years before returning as Musical Director. She loves the versatility of musical theatre and the opportunity it provides to tell stories through song. Maddy also serves as a worship leader and vocalist at Bendigo Baptist Church, combining her faith with her love of music.
Meet Tara Flinn, an experienced voice teacher since 2011 with a particular passion for harmony and vocal arrangements. Tara trained with Vox Academy in Melbourne and recently expanded her expertise in contemporary vocal training with Estill Voice International. She is a highly active musician herself as the singer and guitarist for female folk trio Three Birds, Musical Director of the annual Castlemaine Idyll fundraiser, and founder/choir director of Central Victoria’s women’s choir, MaCapella. Tara also has rich background in Christian music ministry having served as lead vocalist for Christian rock band Sanctified, on worship teams and on a praise and worship album with the Church of Christ in Castlemaine.
