Introducing Joe Macrae
Maxx Music Lessons School Principal

Mr Joe Macrae

Joe finished his Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Performance at the Australian Institute of Music in 2016, and immediately came on board as a guitar and bass teacher at Maxx Music Castle Hill. Whilst teaching he spent his days completing his Masters of Music, which was centered around Jazz Fusion electric bass, double bass technique and live synthesized bass performance.
Alongside this academic journey, Joe’s performance experience as a bassist includes touring the east coast from Melbourne to Cairns with an international Elvis show, sight-reading gigs and musicals, tribute shows and covers bands around New South Wales and original jazz gigs. As a long-term teacher at Maxx Music he has an exemplary student retention rate and success with students in Rockschool and Comprehensive AMEB guitar exams.

In August 2022 Joe moved out of teaching and into a full-time role in the lessons school, which over the following months quickly developed into the role of School Principal. This role puts him in charge of policies and procedures within the lesson school and overseeing the teaching staff and organizing additional activities that supplement the core operations of the business. His academic, performance and teaching experience puts him in a position to help guide the Maxx Music lesson school to offer the highest quality lessons and assure a consistent level of quality continues teacher to teacher.

Teacher Profile – Brenton Dehn

Teacher Profile – Brenton Dehn

Teacher Number 1 Returns!! Close to 30 years ago, Maxx Music founder and owner Ben Finn built a single teaching room to facilitate guitar students at his Parramatta store location, and the guitarist who taught out of that room was Brenton Dehn. Ben Finn's guitar...

Indian Classical Singing at Maxx Music!

Indian Classical Singing at Maxx Music!

The Maxx Music lessons school is expanding its services! We have just brought on a new vocal teacher who not only can teach contemporary repertoire alongside our current group of amazing vocal teachers, but her musical training began with a strong focus on Indian...

What is an AMEB examination and how does it work?

What is an AMEB examination and how does it work?

In this blog we will outline the basics of the AMEB and the exams that they offer. If you are interested in undertaking AMEB exams, call us to book in with one of our highly qualified tutors! The Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) formed in 1918 is a national...

Maxx Music Lesson School News – Term 1 2023

Maxx Music Lesson School News – Term 1 2023

Hello! In this edition of the Maxx Music student newsletter we address our expanding teaching facilities, student performances, instrument care and maintenance, practice tips and our AMEB music examination programs. As always if you have any questions please chat to...

3 Tips to Increase Practice Between Your Music Lessons!

3 Tips to Increase Practice Between Your Music Lessons!

The key to being consistent with any endeavour in life is the ability to form good habits. On average, it takes 66 days before a new behaviour becomes automatic but we can fall out of good habits much quicker than that! Playing our instrument regularly is the key to...

Music lessons for adults… Don’t let the kids have all the fun!

Music lessons for adults… Don’t let the kids have all the fun!

Many adults assume that music lessons are only for children and that it's too late for them to learn an instrument. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, there are many benefits to taking music lessons as an adult, both for personal growth and...

Introducing Pieter BeemsterDrum, Guitar, Bass and Keys Tutor

Introducing Pieter Beemster
Drum, Guitar, Bass and Keys Tutor

Piet has been at Maxx Music for nearly half a decade! Piet started learning piano at the age of ten, adding drums and guitar three years later. Over the years he has played in many original projects and cover bands around Sydney and internationally, from playing bass...

Benefits of music lessons for kids

Benefits of music lessons for kids

Besides the enjoyment kids get from learning an instrument there are some proven benefits that come along with taking the music lessons. Self esteem. Children love a sense of achievement, with music there are many milestones along the way. The first note, first chord,...