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.
Heather has been acknowledged for her contribution to the community with a Paul Harris Fellowship - awarded by Camden Rotary Club in 2017, and an Australia Day Arts and Cultural award from Camden Council in 2021.
Piano Tutoring - Tiffany Lloyd
We are delighted to welcome back Tiffany Lloyd , a long term supporter, friend and tutor at AGAPE.
Tiffany 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. She says “I have had quite a few other jobs, but my job as a piano teacher at AGAPE is the best one I have had”. And we think Tiffany is wonderful – she relates very well to her students, and encourages them all along the way.
Tiffany has completed Grade 8 AMEB piano, and Grade 5 AMEB Musicianship. She has had many different experiences as a pianist, accompanying the Fishers Ghost orchestra when she was 15, competing in eisteddfods , accompanying a church choir and playing for weddings.
She likes everything from classical to jazz, from rock to dance music. Mozart is her favourite classical composer, and she’s a big fan of Bon Jovi and Queen.
Her interests other than music are Ceroc dancing ( partner dancing similar to rock ‘n’ roll ), making jewellery and volunteering in the local community.
Piano & Flute Tutoring - Anna Patmore
Anna Patmore is a talented young musician. She plays piano and flute,
and is also a skilled performer on both the Vietnamese bamboo flute and bamboo xylophone. She started formal piano lessons at the age of 10 and is now at Grade 8 level. She achieved Grade 8 in flute in 2020.
She is studying music in year 12 at Macarthur Anglican in 2021.
Anna has been teaching beginner piano students for a couple of years, and her students just love coming to lessons. Her availability is limited this year, but we are hoping she will have more time next year to take on both piano and flute students.
Anna has performed at teacher recitals, at Macarthur Anglican concerts,
and at the Carrington Aged Care facility.
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 - Sharna Elliott
Sharna Elliott taught singing at AGAPE some years ago, and now her family is almost grown up, and she’s back on the team!
Sharna is an accomplished performer and an experienced teacher. She grew up listening to music in the home and quickly developed a love for singing. She dreamed of being on stage and that dream came true when as a teenager she performed on the Johnny Young Show and spent three months in Japan performing in a stage musical.
Sharna is a classically trained vocalist and uses her stage name Sharna Le Grand when performing across a variety of genres from country and rock’n roll to light opera. She has showcased her talents in a plethora of production shows, cruise ship entertainment, weddings and corporate events.
She often performs in concerts with her husband Danny Elliott who is an internationally acclaimed vocalist and instrumentalist.
Piano Tutoring - Amber De Nardi
Amber De Nardi has had a long association with AGAPE through her involvement with the Macarthur Piano Teachers group and as co-organiser of the Macarthur Australian Composers Piano Festival in 2018.
In 2021 she joined the team of tutors at AGAPE as a senior tutor in piano. She brings a wealth of experience as a musician and as a teacher. Amber is passionate about teaching music, not just because it is a valuable discipline, but also because music offers to students of all ages and capabilities, the opportunity to develop creativity, improve mental skills and enrich their character. Amber has studied music for eight years with one of Australia’s most acclaimed pianists and composers, Miriam Hyde. During this time she acquired a wealth of musical knowledge, insight and experience, and gained the following qualifications: A Mus A; T Mus A from the AMEB ( Australian Music Examinations Board ) LTCL from Trinity College London.
She also holds a BA from UNSW, and has worked as a journalist and editor from Fairfax Newspapers, and has lectured at Notre Dame University, Sydney ( media studies).
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."