About us
The staff at Kennedy Music Academy are a passionate and experienced team of professional musicians and educators dedicated to inspiring students of all ages. Each teacher brings a wealth of knowledge in their instrument, along with a warm and supportive teaching style that makes learning music fun and engaging. Our team includes qualified music educators, experienced industry experts, active performers, and specialists in early childhood and music therapy, all committed to helping every student grow in skill, confidence, and creativity.
“…Not only are you beautifully talented musicians, you are amazing humans, teachers and role models for my kids. The way you support, encourage and lead by example is beyond what I could have imagined when my kids started their lessons with you… you all clearly love what you do and we love you for it!” - Gemma C.
Our Teachers
Lane Sinclair
Vocals, Performance Coach/Studio + Programs Coordinator
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Miss Lane is a passionate and engaging teacher who loves helping students discover confidence through music and vocal technique. She is a singer songwriter from Tamworth and grew up in Canada. Lane has been a singing teacher for over six years now and has also been a creative workshop instructor and mentor, working closely with young talented students in the past.
Lane holds a graduate degree in Creative Arts & Industry from The Talent Development Project Foundation (TDP), the most successful youth training and development program in the music and entertainment industry in Australia.
She has released various EPs and is the lead singer in the Sydney alternative rock band, Lazuli Mood. You may also have remembered her from making the Top 10 on The Voice in 2017! With her experience in both performance and education, she brings a fun and inspiring energy to every lesson.
Tiffany Kennedy
Director, Piano/Keyboard, Vocals
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Tiffany began learning the piano at age 7 and has always loved singing. She pursued her love of music and completed a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Piano Performance and Vocal Studies at Wesley Institute (now Excelsia College) where she performed at various iconic venues around the world like the Sydney Opera House and toured Europe with the college choir.
Tiffany has also performed professionally with various musicians at events, functions, funerals and weddings in Sydney. With 15 years of teaching experience and a Masters of Teaching in progress, she has taught children and teens of all ages as well as adults.
Kennedy Music Academy has been a long term goal and dream for Tiffany and she is thrilled to play a part in nurturing aspiring musicians of the next generation in the beautiful Sutherland Shire.
Alex Shipley
Guitar, Drums, Piano
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As the guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for his band Beanstalk, Alex has performed at major local events such as the Australia Day Concert in Cronulla, the Cronulla Jazz and Blues Festival, and supported professional artists at venues including the Brass Monkey. Their music has reached listeners across 83 countries, with thousands of streams online.
Alongside his performance career, Alex has been teaching and mentoring young musicians through school programs and private tutoring. He is adaptable and patient at working with students of all ages and abilities. His goal is to inspire students, nurture their confidence, and guide them in building strong musical skills both in lessons and through independent practice.
Sophia Chan
Music Therapy
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Sophia is a qualified music therapist with experience in a range of settings, including music studios, home visits, and aged care facilities. She works with people of all ages, with a special focus on those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her experience also includes supporting individuals with complex needs such as traumatic brain injuries and mental health conditions.
With over two years of training and more than a year of professional practice, Sophia brings a person-centered approach to her work—one that respects each individual's cultural background and lived experience. Her practice is grounded in neuroaffirming, trauma-informed, and resource-oriented care.
Sophia’s passion for music therapy is clear in everything she does. She truly believes in the powerful role music can play in connection, healing, and personal growth.
Katie Walshe
Piano/Keyboard, MusikMakers Toddler Program
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Katie is a qualified MusikMakers Teacher with over 5 years experience teaching the program and taught the MusikMakers Program at the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) for over 2 years. Katie has also taught piano to children and adults for many years. She has conducted piano lessons at AIM, local music schools & her private studio in Peakhurst. Katie has completed her 8th Grade Piano examination with the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB).
Katie is also an accomplished live performer – playing keyboard, guitar and singing her own original compositions.
Katie has a passion for sharing her love of music and creative expression with her students and she loves bringing joy and helping our toddlers grow through music!
Carmina Diab
Admin Team
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Carmina is a valued part of the KMA team, helping keep the studio running smoothly behind the scenes. Before becoming a mum, she had a successful career as an accountant, bringing strong organisation and attention to detail to her role in our admin team.
Carmina is also a KMA parent, with all three of her children learning music at the academy, so she understands firsthand the joy and benefits of music education for families.
When she’s not helping out at the studio, you’ll likely find her relaxing with a good K-drama series!
Jacqueline Torrisi
Piano/Keyboard
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Jacque is a KMA alumni and was taught and trained by our Director Tiffany since she was in Primary School! She is currently studying a Bachelor of Music, majoring in composition, at JMC Academy. Jacque has always had a love for music and teaching, learning multiple instruments, including piano and violin, since the age of 9.
Jacque has participated and performed in various music ensembles including chamber groups and bands during her secondary and tertiary education and has also been an active member of local community musical theatre groups, working backstage with performers and audio equipment.
With a 5 of years of teaching experience already, Jacque understands the importance of expressing one’s self through music and hopes to guide those who are both new and interested in learning in a way that is fun and creative!
Nicholas O’Brien
Acoustic, Electric and Bass Guitar/Band Program
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Born into a musical family, Nic started learning piano at 6 years old, before switching to guitar at age 9. He developed a love for Rock and Heavy Metal, and would spend hours learning and jamming along to his favourite songs. He would later go on to achieve band 6 in Music 1 in the HSC, and go on to study at the Australian Institute of Music, receiving his Bachelors in Contemporary Music. During his time at uni, he was a member of a function band, playing the bass guitar at parties, weddings, and even at a festival.
Nic is currently working towards his Masters of Secondary Education at UNSW, and has been teaching guitar for 3 years. Through teaching, Nic hopes that he can instill a genuine passion for music in his students, and inspire them to jam along to their favourite songs.
Izzy Gunawan
Piano/Keyboard
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Isaura Gunawan (Izzy) is a qualified piano teacher and music enthusiast with years of experience. In 2012, she completed her Associate Diploma in Music Pianoforte with the Australian Music Examinations Board and also holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition and Production with the Australian Institute of Music.
She has taught piano for 12 years and has helped her students through AMEB exams. Izzy has also been part of various music teams, playing in worship bands in churches around Sydney. She enjoys singing, songwriting, playing the guitar, drums and violin too!
Miss Izzy loves to see her students grow and improve in music and looks forward to meeting you!
Nishla Smith
Vocals/Band Program
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Nishla Smith is an award-winning composer-performer whose work is shaped by the language of jazz and a deep commitment to storytelling.
An internationally touring artist, she has performed across the UK, Europe, Australia and Asia, with 2026 marking an especially active year on the road, including her Blue Note debut.
Nishla is a Peter Whittingham Jazz Award and International Songwriting Award recipient, and an alumna of London Jazz Festival’s prestigious Take Five programme. Her debut album, Friends With Monsters, was released on Whirlwind Recordings to critical acclaim, with DownBeat USA describing her singing as “an entrancing beauty,” and praising her lyrics and melodies as the album’s “true trump cards.” In January 2025, she released a surprise live album of jazz standards with long-term collaborator Tom Harris, recorded over a two-night residency at Manchester’s Low Four Studios. The album received a four-star review in Jazzwise magazine, which noted that “Smith invests everything she sings with insight and beauty of tone.”
Alongside her music career, Nishla is an established theatre-maker and performer. She won a UK Theatre Award for her performance as the titular bird in Atri Banerjee’s acclaimed UK touring production of Kes, and originated the role of ‘The Jazz Singer’ in Emma Baggott’s A Taste of Honey at the Royal Exchange Theatre.
As a composer and director, she has been commissioned by Opera North, Manchester Collective, Manchester Jazz Festival, Leeds Playhouse and many others. Her original musical stage show What Happened to Agnes toured the UK and was reprised at the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In 2025, Nishla’s new musical Super was selected for Antipodes Theatre’s Winter Lab in Melbourne, Australia and named the recipient of the Stephen Oliver Award for New Musical Theatre in London, supporting its development in 2026/7.
Nishla’s second studio album, it’s getting late you’d better go home was released in Spring 2026 on Whirlwind Recordings and launched at London’s Ronnie Scott’s. The National Post named the album as one of the year’s best jazz offerings, describing it as “late night music for an over-lit age.” Her second release for 2026, a seasonal EP recorded live-in-studio with a band of some of UK’s best jazz musicians, will drop on November 21.
Nishla has been head of jazz vocals at Manchester University since 2024, and works extensively as a freelance facilitator and educator. She has presented masterclasses at Golden Jazz ,China, Jazz Music Institute Brisbane, Contact Theatre and EQTY in Music in the UK. She is currently on staff at NIDA where she teaches ‘Storytelling through song.'
Nick Amery
Drums and Guitar, Studio Equipment Manager
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Nick Amery began playing drums at age 12 and after forming his first band in high school, he has gone on to play with a large variety of professional musical groups performing on club, festival, theatre and concert stages ever since.
Nick has had 6 years of teaching experience, holds a Diploma of Music and is currently obtaining a qualification in Training and Assessment. He is also an avid guitarist and songwriter with many years of experience collaborating with professional musicians and producers on recording projects and short films.
Nick enjoys sharing his passion for music and artistic expression to encourage and empower confidence, creativity, and independence in his students.
Bree Jude
Admin Team
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Bree is the admin queen! Previously a director of a local day care, her leadership, organisational and wonderful people skills help run the admin and processes of our school. Outside of KMA, she keeps busy with her almost 2 year old daughter and enjoys living in the South Coast of NSW.