Welcome to AGAPE
- Amazing Grace Academy of Performing Excellence -
Unearthing gifts - Nurturing talents - Inspiring excellence
A bit about us .......
AGAPE is a music school which has been fostering a love of music in the Macarthur region for 15 years.
Music Tuition:
Piano lessons take place Monday to Friday during school terms.
Guitar and voice lessons take place one afternoon a week during school terms.
Lessons are usually 30 minutes in duration, one on one with the tutor.
Student performances are held twice a year.
AGAPE is an AMEB examination centre for Metropolitan Series 2 piano exams which are held in November / December each year.
AGAPE has a Yamaha Grand piano, two Yamaha upright pianos and 2 good quality digital pianos.
The oversight of AGAPE is the responsibility of the AGAPE Management Board under the governance of the Camden Uniting Church.
Tutoring Services Available
Piano Tutoring - Heather Bieman
Heather has been senior teacher and the co-ordinator of AGAPE since it began in 2004. She is passionate about passing on her knowledge and love of music, and helping others find enjoyment and a sense of fulfilment as they learn to play or sing. She believes music is a gift which needs to be shared.
Heather completed her formal education and music training in New Zealand - has a Bachelor of Music degree and Dip. Ed. from Auckland University, and A.T.C.L diploma in piano studies from Trinity College. She moved to Australia and taught music in high schools for many years before turning her attention to teaching piano.
She is primarily a classical musician, but loves to teach a variety of music styles to her students.
​
Drum Tutoring - Peter Lynch
Peter started learning drums with a group of children at St Pauls school in Camden, before coming to AGAPE for individual lessons with Ric Thackeray. He was ten years of age when he started.
Since then he has passed the AMEB Stage 1,2 & 3 for drums. He is drummer in the band at St Gregorys College, and has been involved in many performances. Some of the musicians and bands he loves to listen to are Foo Fighters, Led Zep, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Rush. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with family and friends, and going for a surf.
He says that learning the drums has been a highlight of his life, and he is very keen to pass on skills so young students can enjoy playing too. Beginner students are his specialty.
Piano Tutoring - Megan Crocker
Megan Crocker started taking piano lessons at AGAPE when she was 10 years old. She then had a break, and returned later to do an AMEB Piano for Leisure examination in 2014, and a music performance for her HSC in 2016. She likes all musical styles, but has a strong preference for classical music. She is currently studying to be a primary school teacher, and volunteers in children’s ministries at her church. Megan has performed on piano at multiple Mt Annan Christian College concerts and AGAPE concerts.She also plays organ, and has been organist at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Mt Hunter, since 2012. Megan joined the tutor team in 2018 because she wants to share her love of playing and listening to music with young children. She has a special interest in teaching beginner students, and has been having great success using the Roadtrip series published by Piano Pronto.
Guitar Tutoring - Jayden Houghton
Jayden was encouraged by his father to play guitar from an early age, and those early years of playing at home gave him a love of music which he then took to another level by having both guitar and vocal lessons. He attended Macarthur Anglican School and studied music to the HSC level, performing on guitar for his final exams. Not only is he an excellent guitarist and vocalist, but he is also a drummer - almost a “one man” band.
Jayden has an Extended Diploma of Design from Western Sydney University, and is currently studying for the Bachelor of Design ( Visual Communication ).
While studying subjects outside the music faculty, he is very keen to stay involved in the local music scene. He is enthusiastic about teaching young children to play guitar and to sing along if they would like to do that. He will teach his students to read tablature as well as helping them to develop a good musical ear.
Voice Tutoring - Hannah Bell
Hannah started learning singing when she was 12 years of age. She attended Mt Annan Christian College and Broughton Anglican College where she studied music as a HSC subject.
After leaving school she studied at the Australian Institute of Music where she achieved Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Performance. She is currently studying for a Masters in Creative Music Therapy.
She has had many performance opportunities at school, church, university and college. As the female vocalist in the Bells Duo, she is busy performing at functions most weekends. She and her husband Mike are owners of this business and they play at weddings, celebrations, public/private functions, pubs, cafes and restaurants.
Hannah not only sings but also plays Uke Bass.
Hannah teaches vocals at the tertiary C3 Bible College 2 days a week. We are indeed fortunate to have her come and teach vocals at AGAPE.
Her favourite musical styles are musical theatre, jazz, folk and contemporary Christian.
Piano Tutoring - Lauren Brinkworth
Lauren teaches piano. Music is her passion – she loves to play the piano, and she enjoys seeing others grow to love to play and listen to music.
Lauren has completed Grade 7 piano and is currently at University. Lauren is looking forward to taking young students on a musical exploration adventure.
Piano & Flute Tutoring - Anna Patmore
Anna is a young and gifted musician. She has reached Grade 6 in Piano and Grade 7 in Flute and is also proficient with a range of Vietnamese instruments.
She says that playing and teaching music is the highlight of her life, and she is very keen to pass on skills so young students can enjoy playing too.
Other Services Offered
Performance Venue Hire
Camden Uniting Church auditorium houses a beautiful Yamaha Grand piano and has comfortable seating for approximately 180 people. The venue can be hired for concert performances by community groups and individuals.
Enquiries to the Camden Uniting Church office, Ph 4655 9303
or email office@camdenunitingchurch.org.au
​
AGAPE is home to:
* Gift of Music Concerts
&
* Macarthur Australian Composers Piano Festival
See Upcoming Events (below) for any programmed events
​
Performance Accompaniment
Heather Bieman has been senior teacher and the co-ordinator of AGAPE since it began in 2004.
She plays for church services, weddings, and funerals, and often accompanies young instrumentalists for music examinations.
Hire us for this service and learn how we can cater to the unique needs of each client.
Performance Master Classes
Agape ( Amazing Grace Academy of Performing Excellence ) is committed to ensuring the development of local talent within the Macarthur area to a high standard by providing access and opportunity to work with elite musicians in their chosen field. Throughout the year workshops, seminars and MasterClasses are offered in various disciplines.
Refer to the Upcoming Events Section ( below ) for details regarding the next opportunity.
​
AGAPE is also an AMEB Examination Centre for Metropolitan Series 2 piano exams which are held in November / December each year.
Our Testimonials
from our Students / Families
Have a question, comment or suggestion? We’d love to hear from you.
Get in Touch
AGAPE is proudly supported by Piano Direction, the supplier of our acoustic pianos.
In addition, James Patmore makes sure our pianos are well maintained and tuned regularly. AGAPE highly recommends Piano Direction for piano sales and tuning - email pianodirection@gmail.com or mobile 0430 358 864.
Camden Uniting Church
18 John Street
Camden NSW Australia 2570
Mobile 0412 400 394
"My child loves her lessons with AGAPE. She learns with delightful teachers who encourage and challenge her, giving her opportunities to perform in front of an audience in a relaxed environment. I couldn't ask for a better training ground for my child's musical education."
"My daughter is one of those quiet, kind kids, that doesn't appear to like the limelight so to speak. I was bought to tears the first time she performed up on stage with only a microphone in front of her. The AGAPE team are so encouraging, kind and motivating. My daughters teacher has become an amazing role model - musically, spiritually and morally. She has been able to draw out of my daughter this amazing strength, courage and love for music.
I am so grateful."
"You are an incredibly gifted teacher. With this you are also a steadfast reminder of Christ to our daughter and our family. So thankful to have you in our lives."