About Us
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 excellence of standard 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 we provide 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.
The Studio
Stella Studioz is the only vocal and performance studio of its kind in the Shoalhaven.
Boasting 5 tuition rooms, each 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 Stage 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 Practice
Here at Stella Studioz, we have an inspiring line-up of teachers. All our teachers are guaranteed to bring exceptional tuition founded upon their years of professional experience and are friendly and respectful communicators in their given field of expertise.
Stella Studioz is committed to providing their students with the highest quality tuition, with a strong focus on performance and cover all styles/genres including: Contemporary, Rock and Pop, R&B, Rap, Country, Jazz, Blues, Indie, and Dance.
Stella Studioz has an unwavering commitment to developing and inspiring our students to blossom into confident and skilled vocalists, musicians and performers, focused on leaving a lasting impact on their audience.
Meet the Team
Sian Ludlow
Director, Vocal & Performance Coach
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 of with her receiving the Business Awards’ ‘Young Entrepeneur 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 new trio, Stella & Sam, comprised of herself, Nicki Taunton-Gibb and Sam Tacey.
Sam Tacey
Director, Guitar, Bass, Keys & Production Coach
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 an 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.
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 highschool 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.
Scott Bowcher
Saxophone, Violin and Drama Coach
Bio
Scott Bowcher is a well-known local multi-instrumental professional musician & actor, holding an Adv. 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’.
Neil Foley
Guitar, Drum & Production Coach
Bio
John Gwilliam
Bass & Guitar Coach
Bio
Nathan Edwards
Drum & Vocal 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: Progessive Metal, Rock, Jazz & Country.
Harriet Adamson
Keys Coach
Bio
Harriet is a Culburra local, and has been a musician for most of her life. Currently beginning studying at university, Harriet has been trained by the many great talents in the South Coast, and is an experienced Guitarist, Pianist and Audio Engineer.
Damion Stirling
Traditional Percussion & Dance Coach
Bio
Crystal Scocco
Vocal Coach
Bio
Anthony Snape
Songwriter & Program Facilitator
Bio
Australian born & bred, Anthony has spent his highly successful career as a Songwriter in Nashville, TN and touring the world with his original music, working alongside greats like Rick Price, Paul Kelly, Marcia Hines and Tommy Emmanuel.
His Tenure in Nashville earned him many Film/TV Sync credits on shows like The Biggest Loser, Dance Moms, Married At First Sight, Good Morning America. His song “The Duke’s Message” co written with Tommy Emmanuel featured in Tommy’s Number 1 Billboard Charting Album “Accomplice One”.
Anthony has since returned to the South Coast, and brings his industry experience and insight to the Studio, and our Music For The Mind program.
You can find Anthony’s music on www.anthonysnape.com
Jaden Spence
Vocal & Guitar Coach
Bio
Jaden resides on the South Coast and is a passionate musician. An exceptional guitarist having played since he was 13 years old, Jaden is a gifted musician well beyond his years.
Jaden completed his Diploma of Music, majoring in Jazz theory, and is trained in Voiceology under Sian for 4 years. An accomplished performer as a singer/songwriter and guitarist, Jaden is a vocal & guitar coach at the studio. Outside of the studio, Jaden gigs professionally across NSW/ACT as a soloist as well as being involved in various duos/bands, most notably local act The Groove.
Jaden currently performs in the local band Gotu.
Julia O'Keefe
Vocal Coach
Bio
Nicki Taunton Gibb
Art Therapist & Vocal Coach
Bio
Nicki has been a professional vocalist for 25 years and has been teaching singing for 10 years.
Nicki is trained in Voiceology and has worked in the event management and entertainment industry for 20 years and is a highly recognised and sought after performer.
Nicki has a degree in Art Therapy and Counselling & a degree in Media & Communications, Cert IV in Training and Assessing and taught Communication, Screen, Media and Public Speaking for TAFE NSW.
As an Art Therapist, Nicki helps in assisting any performer or stage dweller overcome any confidence or self-esteem blockages.
Marcus Adamson
Guitar Coach
Bio
Marcus is versatile in all genres and has a passion for guiding students of all ages towards their own personal goals. He has extensive experience in preparing students for graded exams and auditions and song-writing and recording.
Marcus has studied Contemporary Music at Southern Cross University and Audio Engineering and Electronics trades certificates.
Marcus has been teaching guitar and bass techniques for over 25 years covering blues, rock, country and funk. He is currently lead guitarist for The Howlers and bass player for Cameron Little Trio and Kelly Spicer Band and The Scapegoates.
Marcus is the Owner and Founder of Shoalhaven Audio Productions. He has been a Sound Engineer for artists including Kate Ceberano, Rick Price, Kevin Borich, Mal Eastwick, Bondi Cigars, Peter Wells, The Howlers, Harry Manx, Snaggletooth, Sian Ludlow, Chalkie White and many more.
Marcus formed Beachtracks Recording Studio’s in 2002, and since has produced and engineered for many artist such as The Howlers, Allan Mulley, Blues Revue, Chalkie White, Bros of Matt, Cameron Little, Naked & Hungry, The Numbered, Mowbray Road, Les Crosby & Shoalhaven Jazz, Mark Willers, Subject to Change, Paul Greene, Jaden Spence and many more.
Sako Dermenjian
Classical & Flamenco Guitar Coach
Bio
Sako Dermenjian is an Armenian classical guitarist, born and raised in Syria, and now based in Australia.
He was given his first guitar at the age of 7 as a gift from his grandmother and it hasn’t left him since. When he left Syria at the age of 17, the guitar became one of the few constants over the next few years of Sako’s life.
After studying with the great Mazen Al-Saleh for 9 years in Damascus, Sako was already on the path of achieving his dream to become a world-renowned classical guitarist and teacher. Then war broke out and changed his plans.
On arrival in Australia a few years later, Sako was forced to re-think the direction of his music. The intensity of war had left him with a sense of urgency to make the most of his life. He was eager to start a-new at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, but again plans were delayed when he learned he needed an extra qualification in order to gain admission. He would have to call on all those years of patience and dedication that made him the guitarist he is today.
Studying a Diploma of Music at TAFE Illawarra with teacher Michael Barkl turned out to be a year full of exploration and growth for Sako. It allowed him to discover different parts of himself musically and took his playing to a new direction. His music gave him a way to participate more in the community and it wasn’t long before people started to notice him.
One gig led to another, in 2016 he was invited to perform for the Lord Mayor at the Wollongong Australia Day awards dinner. Later that year he was invited to play in front of a global audience at TEDx Wollongong and talk about his journey under the theme ‘It’s about time’.
In 2017, Sako was accepted into a Bachelor of Performance majoring in classical guitar at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. After being completely self-taught for the last five years, he is about to start his first year with his new teacher, Vladimir Gorbach.
