Our Teachers

Music teachers at Macleod College are not only passionate about their chosen field, but highly experienced and talented performers in the local music scene.

Jason Ziino

Music Director
Senior Band, Bug Band director
Jason Ziino is an experienced Music director and performer. Recognised for his abilities to build vibrant music programs that best utilise the talents of students and staff, his student ensembles have gained national and international recognition.

Kylie Rowbottom

Classroom Music – Junior Band
Currently a performing member of a combined concert and marching band, Kylie Rowbottom travelled to Beijing in 2005 to perform with the Southern Stars Drumline at the Beijing International Youth Festival.
She has also performed at the Drumtek Ultimate Drummers Weekend in both 2005 and 2006.

Tony Hicks

Woodwind & small ensembles
A highly experienced teacher across all levels, Tony’s performance credits include Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder, jazz ledgends Billy Cobham and Randy Brecker, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Art Orchestra, Elision, the Bennetts Lane Big Band, Christine Sullivan, David Herschfelder, Nigel Maclean, Joe Chindamo, David Tolley, Ren Walters, Bob Sedergreen, and Adam Simmons.
His interest in solo and group improvisation has become a focus in recent years as a way to express the many facets of his inner creative spirit and experience transcendent musical relationships.

Declan Jones

Trumpet
In addition to his teaching, Declan is a professional trumpet player currently playing with 9 piece Latin hip hop group "LABJACD", a brassy New Orleans style ensemble "Cycling Katrina" and the fun jazz group "Adam Simmons Toy Band".

Lyndal Chambers

Brass – Senior and Junior Concert bands
Lyndal is an experienced musician and music teacher - having previously directed the music program at Traralgon College. She has also performed nationally and internationally and currently performers with two bands: 'Grand Junction' and 'Havana Palava' as well as working as the Metropolitan Networker with Community Music Victoria

Tony Mazziotta
Dip Arts (Music)

Double Bass & Electric Bass
Tony has over 20 years of professional music performing. Experience as a bassist (double bass, 4 & 5 string. Electric and fretless basses) in classical, jazz, Latin, contemporary, theatre and many other styles.
His instrumental music teaching experience includes at tertiary, secondary and primary levels for the last 20 years.

Andrew O’Connell

Saxophone & Clarinet
Andy is a woodwind specialist with a jazz and contemporary music emphasis.  He has performed and recorded with many of Melbourne’s well respected performers including Nichaud Fitzgibbon, Renee Geyer, Vicka and Lindy Bull, Ross Wilson, James Reyne. Tanya Doko and many others.
He is currently the musical director of "Reverend Funk and the Horns of Salvation" - a disco/funk outfit comprising some of the most recorded and respected players in the industry. On the education front Andy completed a Bachelor of Music at Melbourne University in 1991.
He currently directs the Blackburn High School Senior Stage Band and has just established 'Webop' (Macleod College - Junior Stage Band) with the assistance of Declan Jones and Jason Ziino.

Anne Rassool
BMusEd (Melb) AMusA

Woodwind Specialist & Intermediate Band
Anne has extensive experience teaching woodwind in both the public and private sector. She is actively involved in several community choirs and music groups and regularly takes on the role of musical director for school productions.

Kathleen Hislop

Woodwind. Double Reed specialist.
Kathleen works as a woodwind and voice teacher in the north-eastern suburbs. She has performed as a bassoonist in both professional and amateur ensembles around Melbourne and overseas, as well as performing on stage in amateur theatre.

Cheralyn Hughes

Classroom Music
A highly experienced classroom teacher, Cheralyn’s credits include  regional music festivals and Macleod Community Liaison officer. As well as teaching in the classroom she has been involved with Senior Concert Band, the Macleod singers and several choirs, was the producer of our production of the Little Shop of Horrors and organised the recent Showcase Concerts.

Katrina Wellins

Voice & Choir
One of the leading teachers in her field, Katrina is involved in vocal education at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Her performing credits include ‘Rebecca - the Musical', ‘The Threepenny Opera’, ‘Anything Goes’ and Sydney Cabaret Convention 2000 (Solo artist).

Bruce Coombs

B. Music (Hons), B. Jazz Studies, Grad. Dip. Ed.
Bruce began teaching percussion at Macleod College in 2002. He is an experienced performer in all aspects of percussion, and has recorded and toured extensively all over Australia. Bruce’s love of all things drums has seen him travel to the USA to study with several leading players and teachers.
As well as teaching percussion, Bruce also directs the Macleod College Big Band.