Craig Woodward – Guitar, Singing, Piano, Drums, Ukulele, Songwriting, Musicianship, Recording, Music Theory, Music Business
Craig is the founding owner/operator and Principal of Menai Music.
Craig has over ‘twenty five’ years hands on experience working as a teacher and professional musician in the Sydney area. He has studied with many great teachers learning Guitar, Singing, Piano, Drums, Ukulele, Songwriting, Musicianship, Recording, Music Theory and Music Business from an early age and from this grounding believes that coupled with an inner drive to always be better knows that a great teacher not only speeds up the learning process but instils a confidence in you to pursue learning long into your adult life.
Over the last twelve years Craig with the help of his ‘amazing’ teaching staff have taught hundreds of beginner to advanced students. He is a passionate, ethical and committed leader who believes the strength and success of Menai Music relates directly to the teaching staff and their ability to deliver what they promise.
Some of Craig’s Career Achievement’s so far:
- 2020′ – Menai Music go into their 12th year of business in their new studio’s – Designed and purpose built to further serve the community in tuition and music services – Guitar, Singing, Piano, Drums, Ukulele, Songwriting, Musicianship, Recording, Music Theory, HSC Tutoring, Music Business
- 2020′ – Craig start’s recording his follow up album with the amazing (Boy Genius) Jacob Wilkes.
- 2019′ – Craig working on demoing/testing and creating songs from his youth till adulthood in preparation for his follow up Album. (Recorded and produced by Jacob Wilkes & Craig)
- 2018 – Menai Music celebrate their 10th anniversary contributing to the arts and music tuition in the Sutherland Shire.
- 2017 – The release of Craig’s successful Country/rock anthem ‘Get your boots on’ – A film clip was created with he help of friends, family and fans in his hometown Bangor. (Watch the clip here)
- 2016 – January, A solid week of gigs booked at the Tamworth Country Music Festival – go to news tab for dates, times and venues.
- 2015 – November, Craig has been selected to play the ‘Sydney Country Music Festival’ In Bella Vista. His band will play on the main stage in front of a sell out 5,000 capacity crowd showcasing his energetic and lively mix of genuine Aussie Country Rock.
- 2015 – July, Semi-finalist in ‘Unsigned Only’ Competition – Nashville Tennessee – The song selected was ‘Be Brave’ his latest release.
- 2014 – September, A brand new single for his LIVE hit Be Brave recorded and released with a supporting film clip and run of shows to promote his growing catalogue of feel good Aussie Country/Rock.
- 2014 – June, Main Stage – Broadbeach Country Music Festival – QLD.
- 2014 – February, Main Stage – Caves Beach Country Music Festival.
- 2014 – January, A solid week of gigs booked at the Tamworth Country Music Festival 2014 with his band.
- 2013 – October, Headlined the Ariah Park B&S Ball.
- 2013 – Top 20 Finalist APRA ‘Professional Development Awards’ Contemporary Section.
- 2012 – Top 10 Finalist Today’s Country’s “Brand New Star” Award.
- 2012 – June, Album of the Week ‘Good Morning’ Country and Country CRS.
- 2012 – January, ‘Bondi Smile’ Debut on CMC (Country Music Channel).
- 2011 – December, Finalist Tamworth Songwriters Association Awards.
- 2011 – December, ‘Bondi Smile’ Hi-Rotation on the (Hot Country) Radio Network.
- 2011 – September, RUOKday – Craig was made an ‘Official Ambassador’.
- Two independent releases with his former band newstone.
- 2009 – TOP 10 finalist in the Gympie ‘Maton Talent Search’ Gympie Muster.
- 2008 – November, Opening of Menai Music School.
- 2008 – TOP 20 finalist in the Telstra road to Tamworth.
- 2006 – TOP 100 finalist in Australian Idol.
To check out Craig’s sound go to www.craigwoodward.com.au
Jacob – Guitar, Singing, Piano, Drums, Ukulele, Songwriting, Musicianship, Recording, Music Theory, HSC Tutoring, Music Business
Jacob has been surrounded by music throughout the entirety of his life, and since picking up instruments has gravitated towards the heavy music scene, influenced by the likes of many modern hardcore acts.
He has completed 6 Grades of AMEB Piano over 13 years, Guitar and drums for many years, and through the years of musical practical and theoretical study has acquired knowledge regarding the composition of music and musicianship.
Jacob has been a part of his hardcore band for over 12 years, performing all over Sydney as a guitarist, as well as composing and producing all of the band’s material. In 2012, they came 1st in the Emergenza Music Festival for upcoming artists.
He has been teaching with Menai Music for many years and through this experience has gathered teaching skills able to cater to each individual’s musical requirements.
Jayden –
Jayden is a passionate musician who has been performing since the age of 4 years old. Jayden specializes in vocals and has competed in many eisteddfods, placing first multiple times, and also having the pleasure of working with companies such as Opera Australia in the production of Carmen.
As well as his singing abilities, he also is highly knowledgeable in guitar and piano. Jayden completed Music for his HSC and achieved high marks for both theory and practical components. He is also a songwriter and has been working on many different projects, having released one of his songs “Maybe” on all music platforms.
Since early 2022, Jayden has been doing solo gigs at various different venues around Sydney. He had been a student at Menai music for over 7 years and in that time he went through the “Artist Development Program”, which helped gear him into becoming the knowledgeable singer-songwriter artist that he is today.
With his musical learnings and passions, Jayden is thrilled to be passing on his knowledge to the students at Menai Music.
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Andre –
Raised on equal parts Wolfmother and Human Nature, Andre Sauzier has been in a relationship with music ever since his 8th orbit around the sun.
Around this time, he began an education in Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock, where studying in front of the TV for 2 years became graduating with honours (and a pretty cool sticker sheet). Stepping into the real world, Andre took this knowledge and stepped inside Menai Music itself, applying the teachings of Craig Woodward to an actual guitar, and progressing through to earn the Menai Music Rising Star award (a commemorative shield accompanying this time).
Still on the prowl for anything Guitar-flavoured, Andre enrolled at the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Contemporary Music Performance. During this time, Andre has developed proficiency in numerous genres such as Jazz, Soul, Pop, Latin, and Funk, performed live with various other musicians, and even started learning Bass and Drums. Now a core member of approximately 6 original bands, Andre continues to perform gigs to this day, as well as weddings, theatre productions, parties, and corporate events.
Andre’s influences include (but are not limited to) Billie Holiday, James Brown, Yvette Young, Queen, and Buzz Lightyear.
Leo – Guitar, Singing, Piano, Drums, Ukulele, Songwriting, Musicianship, Recording, Music Theory, HSC Tutoring, Music Business
Leo is a full-time musician and music teacher, constantly gaining experience in the music industry that is passed down onto his students.
His main instrument is guitar, which he started learning in 2007. He is also proficient in drums, singing, bass guitar, piano and ukulele. From 2016-2018, Leo completed Cert III, Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Music Performance at Sydney TAFE. Here he gained knowledge in music performance, theory, composition, business and improvisation.
Since completing TAFE, Leo has taken on many music projects, having performed in multiple bands, duos and solo in Sydney. He has performed at various venues and festivals including RAW Showcase Sydney, Paramatta Winterlight Festival, Bastille Festival, Chicks with Picks at the Townie and Lazybones Lounge. In 2019, he also organised and hosted a female music night in the city on Tuesday nights, promoting female musicians live in Sydney.
Being able to pass on his music knowledge and skills to the next generation of students is a big deal for Leo, and it is his goal to bring out the best in his students at Menai Music.
Laurena –
Laurena has had an inquisitive passion for music since she was 12. Guitar has been her creative outlet. Since then she has developed a love for various guitar styles – foremost in expressive fingerstyle, playing both solo and duet performances. Alongside her passion for guitar, since 14 she has been playing piano in both classical and contemporary styles.
This extensive knowledge of her two main instruments and her love for music theory, encouraged her to create her own compositions and arrangements; enjoying writing and scoring for solo, ensemble and orchestral groups.
Her knowledge in multiple instruments led to her playing bass guitar for 2 years as part of the Menai Music Girl Band. Taking part in many small group performances over her years as a musician has inspired a love for band and ensemble performance and a keen insight for the behind the scenes work of how music is created, taught and played, and most importantly how music is enjoyed.
She is a very patient, compassionate, down to earth and encouraging teacher, with a bubbly personality, keen passion for music and a strong will inspire all of her students. She is knowledgeable in various instruments and has a keen understanding of musical theory, applying aspects of her own learbing experience in teaching to each individual’s lesson. Her years of experience have given her perception into the intricacies of learning and teaching music, and how to shape each lesson to address each student’s personal needs and the skills they need to succeed in their passions, hoping to light a musical drive in everyone she teaches.
Her goal is to motivate and inspire her students to reach their musical goals, just like the teachers at Menai Music helped her to achieve her own musical passions to be able to create and perform music, becoming a successful teacher through their guidance.
Her musical dreams are to teach students the wonders of learning an instrument and to pursue her own passion for performance, musical composition and musical theory, forever wanting to continue the fulfilling cycle of learning and teaching music.
James – Guitar, Piano, Drums, Ukulele, Songwriting, Musicianship, Recording, Music Theory, HSC Tutoring, Music Business
James Smithers is foremost a touring and session drummer based in Sydney Australia’s southern beaches.
He has worked with an expansive list of Australian artists including his current band, Caravãna Sun, as well as Ruby Fields, Lola Scott, The Regime, The Kava Kings, and a multitude of others. With this, James has toured extensively both nationally and internationally; playing some of the world’s most prestigious stages and festivals.
James has a passion for the subtlety of sound and articulation that only comes with years of experience, from which he draws upon in his work.
He is also a skilled keyboard player/synthesist, percussionist, guitarist and audio engineer, with liberal experience in the studio and in live show track development.
James completed a Bachelor of Music at Sydney’s Australian Institute of Music (AIM) in 2016 under the guidance of some of Australia’s best musicians. His hard work and dedication to the craft has matured a skillset that has earned him a respected reputation as a professional musician, as well as endorsement from Ludwig Drums.
He has been teaching music privately and in schools since finishing at AIM, and in 2022 completed a Masters of Teaching online through the Queensland University of Technology.
Charley –
With lessons in piano and music theory at Menai Music since a young age, Charley Pendergast is well versed in these areas and has grown up surrounded by music.
Outside of Menai Music, Charley has tutored many local students. She is primarily skilled in music theory and piano, as well as teaching ukulele, guitar, singing, and songwriting.
After having completed her HSC, Charley went straight from highschool to university to study a Bachelor of Music in Composition (specialising in Creative Technology) at the Australian Institute of Music. She learned under and alongside well known and influential musicians and plans to use her connections from AIM to help her reach her goals.
Charley’s passion is in music composition, and she plans to join the film scoring industry to work alongside people such as John Powell and Hans Zimmer, as well as writing for any bands she happens to become a part of.
Noah – Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums, Singing, Ukulele, HSC Tutoring, Songwriting, Musicianship
Starting guitar lessons at the age of six, Noah has grown up with, and been surrounded by music his entire life. With both his parents being musicians, Noah grew up with an appreciation and love for music, and continued to pick up a proficiency in other instruments such as piano, bass and drums throughout his early teenage years.
Recently completing his Music 2 HSC, in which he received Band 6’s in all of his performances, Noah has a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of the HSC Music syllabus, which he uses to set up his students to achieve their full potential throughout their HSC years.
Noah has been involved in many bands and music groups throughout his life, such as a Jazz/Stage band for three years, a choir for four years, and a rock band for two. Noah especially has a liking for Jazz & Pop ballads, spending much of his time performing as a duo with a vocalist, playing gigs at restaurants and cafes in his area.
Prior to joining Menai Music, Noah spent three years tutoring privately, before deciding to join the Menai Music team to pursue his love of teaching, and helping others grow in their love for music as they reach their potential.
Teyana –
Teyana has always had a love for music, singing in particular. She began vocal lessons at the age of 7, following through to high school where she began to learn skills in other instruments including piano and ukulele.
During high school, Teyana was involved in the senior choir and as a lead vocalist in the senior stage band. This kickstarted her love for jazz music. She was also involved in the senior school musical, Matilda.
Teyana graduated completing HSC level music, and receiving an A her grade 8 AMEB musical theatre vocalist examination. She has also been asked to appear on the audition panels of musicals performed at her old high school on multiple occasions. Now Teyana is involved in local musicals, and is the vocalist of the aprilmae duo, with guitarist Noah. They perform regularly at local cafes and bars, exploring a variety of genres.
Teyana has always wanted to be a music teacher, and help others to grow in their skills and love for music and performance. Her music teachers throughout the years helped shape her into who she is today, making her a more confident and self-assured person. She hopes to bring this level of positive energy and excitement to her lessons.
Nash –
From constant exposure to a vast array of music at a young age, Nash has continuously applied himself diligently to practical and theoretical musical studies.
At age 9, Nash picked up a pair of drumsticks, sparking a natural affinity for the drums and has been learning ever since. A sudden pull to guitar and song writing further pushed the limits of Nash’s natural musicianship, leading him to produce his own written and recorded music out of his bedroom.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Nash pursued unfamiliar instruments (ukulele, piano/synth, bass) in correlation to an experimental attitude to his own music.
Nash gigs regularly in original bands and was a competitor of Youth Rock 2022 (state-wide band competition), ranking highly amongst the state.
Nash strives to carry a diligent attitude learnt at an early age to inspire and evoke the maximum potential of his students.
Lachlan –
Lachlan has always had an interest in music and started learning guitar at 11 by ear. Later, he would buy a piano, learning Jazz, Blues, Rock and Pop.
He has extensive experience playing with bands such as a jazz/stage band for 3 years, a rock band for 2 years, and has experience playing as a solo musician. He has also played in bands with friends where he found his interest in Drums.
Lachlan has an interest in a wide variety of musical genres such as Pop, Soul, Funk, Country, and Reggae but he’s most invested in Blues, Jazz, and Rock. He also has an interest in many culturally diverse artists.
He enjoys sharing his knowledge of music and teaching it to the next generation of musicians.