About Us

Our Award Winning Service

Here at Stella Studioz, we have an inspiring line-up of teachers and program facilitators. Guaranteed to bring exceptional tuition founded upon their years of professional experience in their given fields, our team are friendly, respectful communicators focused on their clients individual needs.

Stella Studioz delivers an extensive range of award winning services;

Our tuition delivers a blend of performance, theory and technical aspects across all styles/genres, yielding advanced students capable of taking on any performance -we have an unwavering commitment to developing and inspiring our students to blossom into confident and skilled vocalists, musicians and performers, who leave a lasting impact on their audience – both on and off the stage.

Let’s Make Noise brings the joy of learning music to our local Early Learning Centres. The program incorporates instruments, dance, rhythms and nursery rhymes to allow young children 0-5 to access the incredible learning power of music, building their language, motor skills and providing a fun, energetic emotional regulator.

The Music for the Mind program is designed as a therapeutic experiential learning program for use as a tool for conscious self-reflection and self-regulation in support of mental health and wellbeing. This program combines the skills of elite professional songwriters and musicians who understand the benefit of a holistic approach in therapeutic environments, with the dynamic power of music.

 

Our Studio

Stella Studioz is the only vocal and performance studio of its kind in the Shoalhaven.

Boasting  tuition rooms, each are equipped with professional P.A., lighting, instruments and computing. Our rooms are designed to inspire creativity in a safe, welcoming environment. 

One of our features is the Music-Room, adorned with graffiti art from local artist Julian Sinclair, it is the ultimate space to develop aspiring performers. Our quality professional lighting setup allows us to create dynamic scenes for our performers, with both live & recording opportunities happening throughout the year.

The technology of each Studio allows for not only for audio-production, but for graphic and video productions allowing our students to stay up to date with todays industry.

Our Philosophy

The art of singing, playing music and performing should be a natural and joyful experience, whether you are a beginner or professional student.

Stella Studioz aims to provide not only a service, but a community. We strive ourselves to deliver quality music and performance tuition by an elite team of professional musicians and performers, maintaining an standard of excellence for our industry.

With that said, we are a community, and not everyone wants to be a professional musician. We, with pride and unwavering commitment, ensure that our studio provides a haven for creativity, a refuge for originality and a sanctuary of humanity, where race, colour, age and history are irrelevant to your potential as an expressive individual. Everybody is different, and we welcome this with open arms.

We teach longevity for not only the voice, but for the soul. We teach technique not only for the skill, but for the passion in pride of growth. We teach music not only for the experience, but for the power of healing it holds. We offer a place for everyone.

Our Team

Sian Ludlow

Sian Ludlow

Founder & Director

Bio

Sian has worked as a professional vocalist for over 17 years, and is a highly-recognised and sought after performer in the duo Stella Girlz, leading her to pursue a career in teaching vocals and performance with the creation of Stella Studioz in 2014. Following the Voiceology Method, Sian’s expertise in vocal & performance tuition is highly sought after up and down the South Coast.

As a singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Sian provides in-depth knowledge to her students that only years of performance and gigging can provide, turning beginner singers and performers into paid professionals. Sian also works closely writing with artists, and provides coaching in recording sessions to guarantee the artist can give the best performance they can in record time.

Sian’s dedication and business ethic paid off with her receiving the Business Awards’ ‘Young Entrepreneur of The Year 2017’, winning both the Shoalhaven & Illawarra region and placing in State.

Outside her role as Director of the Studio, Sian is currently singing & performing in the trio, Stella & Sam, comprised of herself, Nicki Taunton-Gibb and Sam Tacey.

Sam Tacey

Sam Tacey

Managing Director

Bio

Sam has lived on the South Coast since 2010, beginning a career in music in 2013 and completed his Bachelor of Music – Contemporary Performance at JMC Academy in 2015. Currently Sam teaches Guitar, Bass, Keys, Production and Theory.

Picking up the guitar at the age of 10, Sam has cultivated his knowledge in a variety of music styles and instruments, working on a variety of composition & production projects resulting in extensive knowledge on a broad range of industry topics.

In between students, Sam develops programs in the studio and regularly provides recording opportunities for students.

Outside of the studio, Sam performs with local artists as a session musician and is currently playing & performing in the trio, Stella & Sam.

Renae McArdell

Renae McArdell

Studio Manager | Vocal Coach

Bio

Hailing from the South Coast, Renae did not start her career in Music. Completing her Associate Degree in Law and working a successful career as a Conveyancor – Renae still felt there was something missing and needed to pursue her passion of singing.

After some time as a student of Director Sian Ludlow, Renae seized an opportunity for the position of Studio Manager.

Since then Renae has been pivotal in driving the excellence in service at the Studio.

Renae is an accredited Voiceology coach and professional vocalist. 

Jasper Almond-Smith

Jasper Almond-Smith

Administration | Vocal Coach

Bio

Jasper was born on the South Coast, however shortly after moved to Darwin. Returning in 2017, Jasper joined the Studio as a Receptionist and has since been a critical part of building it to what it is today. Hailing from a family entwined with artists, Jasper has a keen eye on literature and a passion for contemporary music.

During her high school years, Jasper worked as an instructor for a dance studio in Darwin. Shortly after starting at the Studio, Jasper trained in Voiceology under Sian, and Keys with Sam. This training combination has made Jasper in high demand as a Vocal & Performance coach, while in between her students she assists in program development and coordinating Reception.

Neil Foley

Neil Foley

Guitar, Drum & Production Coach

Bio
Neil Foley is a musician/producer/singer songwriter , based on the South Coast of NSW. He started playing music at the young age of 9.

Neil has spent the last 15 years in an alt-rock band playing in the circuit across Sydney and NSW, has played at well known festivals such as the Vans Warped Tour, Bushfire relief concerts alongside titans of Australian music such as Yothu Yindi, Jimmy Barnes and many more.

Neil is currently working on his solo project ‘Old Haunts’. Which has had over 50,000 streams. Mr Foley has been writing, recording, and working with some of his biggest musical influences in the music industry.

In Recent achievements Neil charted #13 on the Netherlands alternative charts, and featured in the Australian Guitar magazine.

We are so honoured and pleased to welcome this beautiful humble talented man to Stella Studioz.
John Gwilliam

John Gwilliam

Bass, Guitar & Drum Coach

Bio
Meet John Gwilliam, he plays double-bass in MGM-signed touring band, 19-Twenty. The band has toured nationally with the likes of Cold Chisel and Ian Moss, and internationally to countries including The Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and USA marked for 2021.
 
He has been teaching bass-guitar and double-bass since the age of 19, with multiple students studying and graduating from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
 
Aside from touring and teaching, John has worked with various artists and bands at Sydney’s Studio 301 as a recording & session bass-player.
 
John additionally specialises in instrument setup & maintenance, and has developed his own unique design of electronic double-bass pickups in collaboration with worldwide pickup brand, E.M.G.
 
We are so excited to have this humbling, talented, kind & nurturing spirit on board.
Nathan Edwards

Nathan Edwards

Drum Coach

Bio

Nathan is a UOW alumni, graduating with a Bachelor in Music. After leaving University, Nathan began to turn his focus to teaching music and drums to students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. With a strong passion for drumming and music, he hopes to instil the same passion in his students.

Nathan has toured and performed with successful bands across Australia, mixing with some of the biggest names in Australian music. Some of these big names include: Dead Letter Circus, Tzar Bomber, Latham’s Grip and many more!
His experience means he has the ability teach and perform a range of genres, including: Progressive Metal, Rock, Jazz & Country.

Harmony Dyer

Harmony Dyer

Vocal & Keys Coach

Bio

Harmony is an amazing teacher and live music & theatre performer!

In 2021 she received full marks for her HSC music performances, and she is a featured vocalist in Southern Stars, Arena Spectacular and The Illawarra Regional Touring Ensemble. Harmony is a proud member of Albatross Musical Theatre Company, and has featured in a number of productions to date.

Adored by her students, Harmony is an inspirational coach for young vocalists and pianists. 

Scott Bowcher

Scott Bowcher

Saxophone, Violin and Acting Coach

Bio

”Scott Bowcher is a well-known local multi-instrumental professional musician & actor, holding an Advanced Diploma in Performance (Acting) and a Diploma in Musical Theatre (Singing, Dancing and Acting) from the Canberra Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Scott’s musical talent stems from his family, himself with over 20 years playing Fiddle/Violin and 15 years as a Jazz/Blues Saxophonist. A highlight of his career has been touring alongside Jon English as a Tenor Saxophone, Violin, Vocalist & Actor, performing in 4 states over 8 months.

Scott has been, and continues to be, involved in both the Stage and the Screen, and is currently working within the Albatross Musical Theatre Company. His recent credits include performance as Freddie Trumper in ‘Chess’, and as the Orchestral Director for ‘The Little Mermaid’.

His other involvements include Honest Puck Theatre Company, Wild Voices Music Theatre, Roo Theatre, Blue Vibes Music, The Harbour Agency and Sound One.

Scott Stone

Scott Stone

Guitar Coach

Olivia Faulks

Olivia Faulks

Administration | Vocal Coach

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather, the Wodi Wodi & Wandandian people of the Yuin nation. We recognise their connection to the land and the waters over thousands of years and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and future, and extend that respect to First Nations peoples here today.