Our Teachers

Principal Teacher

Inna Kogan | M. Mus (Dist); B.Mus.Perf, 1st class Hons (IL); B.Mus.Ed (AZ); AMEB examiner; QMTA mentor - Piano

Inna studied piano from the age 5 at a specialised music school for gifted children in Baku, USSR. She performed publicly as a child prodigy from a young age, winning numerous youth competitions both in USSR and later in Israel. Inna received a Master’s Degree with Distinction from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Arts.

Since moving to Australia in 1986, Inna has established her own music school, which is now recognised as one of the major music schools in Australia. Inna oversees the school curriculum and teaches using her “accelerated learning” method. The method, developed over a period of over 40 years, allows students with high potential to explore their limits by following a well-structured learning path, and reach a high level of performance at a young age.

Many of Inna’s students have been awarded AMusA Diplomas by the age of 12-13, following on to LMusA / ATCL Diplomas before completing High School.
Many of her alumni have become professional musicians and perform and teach in Australia and abroad.

Inna is an AMEB examiner, adjudicator and a well-known motivational speaker. She is also a mentor of the QMTA and provides professional development sessions for young teachers. Inna has adjudicated Brisbane, Toowoomba, Central Highlands and Gold Coast Eisteddfods, Little Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition, QLD Piano Competition, ASKM Gold Coast Competition and Toowoomba Charles & Motee Rogers Memorial Piano Competition.

She has given a series of music history talks on Russian Ethnic radio channel 4EB and travels to regional QLD with workshops and masterclasses.

Senior Specialists

Michelle Jaques | M.Mus, B.Mus, Head of Early Childhood - Piano

Michelle Jaques graduated from the QLD Conservatorium, Griffith University, with a Master’s Degree in Aural and Keyboard Musicianship. For 35 years she has taught piano, organ, and theory in both individual and group lessons. Michelle operated a Yamaha Music School for over a decade on the Gold Coast. Michelle also plays piano accordion, flute, recorder and has recently started playing cello.

Michelle teaches from Monday - Saturday.

Keeyana Babsek | B.Mus (Hons) - Piano

Keeyana is an enthusiastic and dedicated piano teacher, Keeyana brings experience working with students of all ages, levels, and musical styles. She studied classical piano at the Queensland Conservatorium under the guidance of Leah Horwitz and is passionate about delivering
holistic, sequential music education. Her approach to piano pedagogy and musical development emphasises a well-rounded,
engaging learning experience that nurtures both technical skill and musical expression. She has been teaching for 20 years, and we look forward to introducing students to Keeyana's piano and music theory lessons.

Keeyana teaches on Monday and Thursday.

Nazanin ( Nahzee ) Maleki Amin | B.Mus (Hon) - Piano

Nazanin is a passionate piano teacher with 24 years of experience teaching students from beginners to advanced levels. She offers engaging, personalised lessons that develop strong technique while encouraging creativity and expression. In addition to classical piano, she teaches Persian music, sharing her cultural heritage to broaden students’ musical understanding. Her student-focused approach blends traditional pedagogy with innovative methods gained through years of teaching in Australia and internationally. Her students consistently excel in AMEB exams, earn scholarships, and win competitions. Nazanin holds a Bachelor’s and Honours degree in Piano Performance and is a member of the Queensland Music Teachers Association.

Nazanin teaches Tuesday - Friday.

Orsolya Domoszlai | B.Mus - Violin/Viola

Orsolya is an enthusiastic violin teacher with a strong ability in Kodály music pedagogy. She has been professionally teaching for over twenty-three years.

Orsolya gained her degree at the Franz List Academy of Music and Teacher Training Institute in Budapest. In Hungary, her home country, she worked as an orchestra member with the Budapest Operetta Theatre for 6 years. Alongside being a performer, she has also led the String Orchestra at Music School Szentendre for 20 years. With many years of experience across multiple fields, she has mastered playing and teaching in many different styles for students.

Orsolya teaches on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday.

Naomi Faulkner B. Mus (Instrumental) Violoncello A.Mus.A Piano- Cello

Naomi is a cellist who graduated from QLD Conservatorium. In her school years she played at Queensland Youth Orchestra, the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Naomi has taught all ages to play the cello for more than 25 years and enjoys finding the right music for students as they progress and develop their musicianship. She is dedicated to working with each student in the ways best suited to their learning style, building technical and expressive skills and supporting them to achieve their goals.
She finds playing music with both students and professional musicians deeply rewarding, and feels privileged to work in Arts education and to nurture the love of music in her students.

Naomi teaches on Wednesday.

Specialists

Anastasiia Anopriienko | M.Mus, B.Mus - Piano

Anastasiia is a dedicated piano teacher with 9 years of experience, skilled in both online and offline instruction for students of all ages, from beginners to advanced levels. She is focused on professional playing, concert preparation, and fostering musical hobbies, she tailors lessons to each student's abilities and learning style. Her teaching incorporates classical methods, including Beyer and Czerny exercises, along with custom sight-reading and rhythmic drills. As a pianist, she has worked at various venues, such as Belgravian Brasserie in Saudi Arabia, and Malina Art Studio in Kyiv. She holds a Master's and Bachelor's degree from the Ukrainian National Tchaikovsky Academy of Music.

Anastasiia teaches on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Jaein Im | M.Mus (Perf), B.Mus (Adv.Perf) - Piano

Jaein completed a Bachelor of Music (Advanced Performance) and Master of Music Studies (Performance Specialisation) degrees at Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University.
After graduation from QCGU, he has been pursuing his career as a piano teacher for over 14 years of experience, and taught in multiple locations in South Korea, Brisbane, Adelaide and Coffs Harbour.
He finds it meaningful to encourage students to learn music with genuine interest as a part of their life, and has been developing his ways to make music learning approachable for his students.
As a musician, he has interest in discovering new music and delivering it to people for a fresh experience.

Jaein teaches on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Stephanie (Yining) Zhang | B.Mus (Hons) - Piano

Yining Zhang (Stephanie) is an accomplished pianist and educator with over eight years of teaching experience. She is completing her Master of Music in Piano Performance at The University of Queensland, after earning her Bachelor and Honours degrees from the University of Adelaide. A recipient of awards including the William Silver Scholarship and Brisbane Matthews Pianoforte Prize, she has also performed internationally, winning prizes at the Hong Kong–Asia Piano Open and South Korea Chuncheon International Music Competition.

Yining teaches students of all ages in Adelaide and Brisbane, tailoring lessons to individual goals. She encourages creativity, confidence, and discipline, helping students enjoy learning and discover the joy of music.

Stephanie teaches Monday and Tuesday.

Cathy Gao | B.Mus, M.Mus - Piano

Cathy discovered her love for the piano at the age of five. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Shandong University and a Master of Music from UQ. Cathy has guided all ages and skill levels—from beginners to advanced performers preparing for exams and recitals. Her lessons focus not only on building strong technical skills but also on nurturing each student’s musical expression, confidence, and love for music. Cathy believes that every student has unique musical potential. She tailors her lessons to each individual’s needs, learning style, and goals, creating a supportive and inspiring environment. By combining technical training with creativity and musicality, Cathy's students develop both discipline and joy in their practice. She encourages her students to explore a wide range of repertoire, from classical to contemporary works, to broaden their musical horizons.

Cathy teaches on Fridays.

Lachlan Wilkins | B.Mus (Perf.) - Violin/Viola

Lachlan graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium in 2019 where he studied under
the head of strings Michele Walsh. He has a great passion for teaching and performance, playing with both the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Ensemble Q during his studies. Lachlan started learning the violin from the age of 5 with the Suzuki method before transitioning to AMEB where he studied with Sydney Symphony Orchestras violist Robin Brookfield. He has been heavily involved in numerous Australian Youth Orchestra programs, touring internationally with them in 2019 through Europe and China. As a student of both the AMEB and Suzuki methods he brings these ideologies into his teachings and believes that a holistic approach is necessary in facilitating musical development on the violin.

Lachlan teaches on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Matthew Teakle | B.Mus (Perf.) (Class I Hons) - Guitar & Cello

Matthew Teakle graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium with first class honours and the university medal. He is an enthusiastic educator and guitarist with a performance profile ranging from symphony orchestras to rock bands and jazz duets. Some personal highlights include opening for Australian rock icons The Choirboys and winning the People’s Choice Award in the inaugural Queensland International Chamber Music Competition. Drawing on a rich experience of playing both the cello and the guitar at ahigh level, Matthew always aims to impart on his students a broad appreciation of music in its various forms as well as a multifaceted understanding of its inner workings.

Matt teaches on Monday and Wednesday.

Nathan Cho | B.Mus (Hons) - Guitar

Nathan is a passionate guitarist, teacher, and performer dedicated to inspiring the next generation of musicians. A graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Popular Music Guitar, he brings both formal training and extensive hands-on experience to his teaching. From 2020 to 2023, Nathan taught at the Queensland College of Music, working with students of all ages and levels, while continuing to offer private guitar lessons. His teaching style blends technical precision with creative exploration, encouraging students to develop confidence as both musicians and performers. Bilingual in English and Korean, Nathan fosters a supportive, adaptable, and engaging learning environment.

Nathan teaches on Wednesday and Thursday.

Eline van Bruggen | B.Mus (Honours) & Arts - Voice & Flute

Eline van Bruggen is a Dutch-Australian soprano and flautist, and is studying a Bach of Music & Arts majoring in Classical Vocal, Linguistics, and Professional Writing & Communication at UQ. Eline has sung with various choirs, performed at jazz clubs and local community concerts, and staged more than twenty musical theatre productions. She toured with Opera Queensland and performed various operatic roles, including Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, Galatea in Acis and Galatea, Frasquita in Carmen, and Ida in Die Fledermaus. Eline believes a thorough technical understanding of the voice is important to making a beautiful sound. She is a member of the Jacaranda Flute Collective. She won the 4MBS Musica Viva Sid Page Memorial Prize in Chamber Music. She has played numerous orchestral and chamber ensembles across Australia.

Eline teaches on Monday and Friday.

Joshua Spurr | M.Mus, B.Creative Arts - Percussion

Joshua is a dynamic music educator and accomplished musician with a Master of Music Studies and over eight years of teaching experience. He is an expert in developing tailored drum and percussion programs across diverse settings, including schools and special needs education. He is passionate about fostering student engagement and achievement, demonstrated through successful workshops and masterclasses at prestigious institutions like the Queensland Conservatorium. He is recognized for innovative pedagogical strategies that inspire students to reach their musical goals, contributing to long-term growth in music education programs, and committed to creating inclusive learning environments that celebrate individual talents and promote collaborative music-making.

Josh teaches Tuesday - Thurday.

Nathanael Duffy | B. Mus (Hon) - Woodwind

Nathanael Duffy is a dedicated woodwind teacher and accomplished clarinettist based in Brisbane. A graduate of Griffith University with First Class Honours, Nathanael is an alumnus of the prestigious Australian Youth Orchestra. He has performed professionally as a casual clarinettist with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, showcasing his versatility and skill. Nathanael brings a wealth of performance experience and pedagogical insight to his teaching practice, working across several leading schools in the Greater Brisbane region. Passionate about inspiring the next generation of musicians, he is known for his engaging, tailored teaching style and commitment to musical excellence.

Nathanael teaches on Thursdays.

Administration

Emilia | Administration

You can always contact Emilia via our school email, or our mobile on 0481 407 581.

She handles all timetables, invoices and any other questions you may have.

IKMS

Our Teachers

Principal Teacher

Senior Specialists

Specialists

Administration