Values

Our Core Values include:

Supporting students to learn and explore music and the creative arts through self expression - which means we don’t impose on the student, or shape them into something they do not wish to be - but rather, we celebrate students individuality and allow them to gravitate to their interests, and use music making and self expression to learn and understand music and the arts.
We encourage students to: Ask questions, imagine what could be, experiment, and self reflect - meaning, we avoid jumping to instructive learning, but allow students to be learning partners, and engage in musical problems, ask questions, imagine solutions, try and experiment various approaches, and self reflect and self evaluate their own ideas. This supports students to be more independent learners, and aware of their progress.
We are focused on learning that balances students wellbeing, abilities, and individuality, with inspiration to think big, innovate, and fearlessly create music and art. - meaning we don’t place expectations on students, we all start at different levels, with different ideas, directions and goals. With our personalised and holistic learning models, we factor in students wellbeing an abilities towards fun an engaging projects that inspire students to be themselves, to think big, innovate, be OK to make mistakes, and fearlessly explore music and creative arts.

Teachers

River Road Creative Academy is led by local Patrick Nellestein, who is an experience music and production teacher, having been Head of Composition & Music Production at The Australian Institute of Music for 10years, and Quality Manager as SAE Creative Institute. Patrick has an undergraduate degree and Masters Degree in Music, and currently completing his Master of Music Therapy as Western Sydney University. Patrick has been lecturing in universities, music schools, and private teaching for 20years. Patrick’s creative background includes producing albums but also writing music for Film and TV including Channel 10’s the Project, and various Channel 9 and ABC programs.

Patrick is also an experienced music therapist, engaging community initiatives and programs, as well as working with local psychologists and wellbeing services. See Community Projects Projects for some of Patrick’s work.

We provide qualified and highly experienced teachers, combined with content and learning methods designed to the quality found at universities and Conservatoriums. River Road is founded, owned, and run by leading music educators, with experience in teaching at universities and the best creative arts colleges around the globe.

Personalised Learning Plans!

River Road tailors the learning by developing a Personalised Learning Plan for each student, which includes matching the teacher/mentor to your style and musical outputs. The plan also includes creative goals, learning outcomes, and milestones to support students in achieving creative goals.

Most importantly, we don't limit your ambitions and aspirations. It could be learning to write a song to producing an orchestral score. It could be performing in a Heavy Metal band, creating an Electronic Music EP and tour, even developing an app or music for games or film! We also cater for students interested in management, whether for their own music or working with other artists or bands