The Team

Extended Bio

Growing up surrounded by music Tom started playing drums in his local church at 5 years of age. Playing in many different bands and situations throughout school Tom's love for the drums lead him to study a Bachelor of Music at the Australian Institute of Music. At AIM he studied under some of Australia's leading drummers, including Andy Evans, Dave Plenty, Nic Cecire and Andrew Gander.

Over his relatively short career so far Tom has recorded and toured extensively across Australia and internationally with a variety of artists. These includes; Rebecca St. James, Darlene Zschech, Froyo, Jayne Denham, Travis Sinclair, Miriam Webster, Stan Walker, Darren Percival, Phebe Starr and many more. During this time he has shared the stage with Of Monsters and Men, Ben Folds, Ball Park Music, The Rubens, Gold Fields and Strange Talk, while also playing major festivals such as; Parachute Festival (NZ), Tamworth Country Music Festival, Big Sound and Cruzin Country.

Tom is a passionate educator teaching private drum students since 2004. In 2014 Tom and his wife Leah started Coast Academy of Music, a contemporary music school based on the NSW Central Coast. Teaching from their studio in Kincumber and across a network of Primary and High Schools they see hundreds of students receive music tuition each week.

Tom endorses Protection Racket Drum Cases

Extended Bio

Leah is a Singer/songwriter whose love for music has lead her to be involved in a diverse range of musical styles; from Gospel and Soul, to Jazz, Funk and Pop. Growing up in a musical home Leah joined her church music team at 9 years of age and started performing professionally from 14.

During school Leah was involved with many musical projects. Most notably being a vocalist for 3 consecutive years in Star Struck, The Hunter Central Coast region youth and creative arts showcase that held a series of concerts that aired on local television. Since then Leah has recorded and performed across Australia and internationally with a variety of artists. These include; Darlene Zschech, Francine Bell, Martin Smith, Henry Seeley, Nikki Fletcher, Sidney Mohede, Jayne Denham and many more.

Other musical roles include; Music and Creative Arts Director of New Hope Community Church, Vocal Director of Youth Alive Hunter and Central Coast, and Vocal Director at Hope Unlimited Church.

Leah’s interest in the voice and correct vocal techniques lead her to the Estill Voice International method. Training with Master Teacher Trish Delaney-Brown Leah is currently working to be a certified Master Teacher herself.

A passionate educator, Leah has taught privately for over 7 years in some of Newcastle’s best music studios. These include Genr8 Performing Arts School, Australian Dance and Talent Centre and Vocal Evolution. In 2014 Leah and her husband Tom started Coast Academy of Music, a contemporary music school based on the NSW Central Coast. Teaching from their studio in Kincumber and across a network of Primary and High Schools they see hundreds of students receive music tuition each week.

Extended Bio

Nicholas Goder is a singer/ songwriter based on the Central Coast of NSW. Growing up around music Nick picked up the guitar at an early age and began singing soon after. Playing all the way through school his love for music lead him to study a Bachelor of Music at JMC Academy in Sydney. Here Nick had the opportunity to study under Rick Grossman from the Divinyls and Hodoo Gurus as well as Branko Pezo and Tony Cvetovski, and began to immerse himself into the Sydney music scene. In 2015 Nick's passion for music and the creative arts lead him to enroll in a Masters of Creative Media at Macquarie University, completing this mid 2017.

Nicholas is enthusiastic and passionate about music education, and has always enjoyed passing on his musical knowledge. Teaching privately from his home studio for the past 3 years Nick developed his relaxed and effective teaching style to implement to students of all ages. Nick begain teaching at Coast Academy of Music at the end of 2014 and has since become a core part of the team.

Extended Bio

Recently returning to the Central Coast, Matt has established himself as one of Sydney's most in demand session musicians, composers and educators.

During his career he has performed and recorded with the likes of Taylor Swift, Taylor Henderson, Timomatic, Nathaniel Willemse and Tina Arena. Since 2013 Matt has also performed regularly as a session musician on the X Factor Australia, other live television appearances on channels 7 and 9, as well as radio and countless other live performances.

While attending Newcastle and Sydney Conservatories Matt had the privilege of studying under some of Australia's most celebrated musicians, including; Gian Franco Ricci, Judy Baily, Craig Scott, Matt McMahon and Bill Mozting. At Sydney Conservatorium he also recieved private tuition with world-renowned jazz pianist/composer Aaron Goldberg.

Matts' passion for education lead him to study a post-graduate Bachelor of Teaching at Avondale College. This study enhanced his capacity to communicate, discipline and effectively engage students in learning activities in a range of different environments, including classroom, small group and one-on-one. His vast teaching credits include St. Josephs College Sydney and Sydney Adventist College to name a few.