Play with Passion.

Perform with Pride.

Operating for over 13 years, the Yarra Valley School of Music has been the preferred choice for discerning students and families in the region. Offering an array of subjects and instruments, whether just beginning, or a seasoned performer, we are the school for you.

Find out more

Learning Areas

Explore subjects and instruments

Voice

Specialising in Jazz, Contemporary, Pop, Musical Theatre & Public Speaking.

Self Accompaniment

Learn to play and sing at the same time on Piano, Guitar or Ukulele.

Piano

Specialising in Classical, Modern, Chords & AMEB exams.

Music Theory & Aural Studies

All major & minor key centres & signatures & how they are related.

Guitar

Specialising in Modern and Blues.

AMEB Exam Preparation & VCE Tutoring

A comprehensive and structured delivery of all necessary AMEB & VCE content to get you the best grading possible.

Ukulele

Specialising in Chords and Melodies.

Performance & Audition Preparation & Polishing

Learn to perform with confidence and with a professional ease.

Students to date
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AMEB Exams Passed
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Individual Performances
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Higher Education Pass Rate
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Teaching Team

Meet our highly qualified tutors

Maria Ruffino Rendek

YVSM Director & Teacher - Vocals, Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Music Theory, Self Accompaniment, performance/audition preparation and polishing
Bachelor of Jazz studies with Distinction.

Maria found her passion for teaching music 15 years ago as a private piano fill in teacher.  This experience provided Maria the inspiration to launch Yarra Valley School of Music in her hometown of Healesville.  Maria has also been teaching singing at Little Yarra Steiner School for the past 7 years. 

Maria’s teaching style is unique – she works very closely and attentively with her students to work out how best to teach their personal style of learning & tailors lessons to suit each individual. 

Maria has experience teaching all ages and levels including VCE music & AMEB examinations.  Maria’s qualifications include graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School where she was on a full scholarship for singing & piano.  She also graduated from a Bachelor of Jazz Studies with distinction.  

Betty Frey Taylor

Piano Teacher

Betty has been teaching music for the last 34 years. She established the music program at Mount Dandenong Primary School which developed from a recorder group of 6 children to a program where every child of the 200 attending the school were playing music either in class percussion ensembles, choirs, madrigals and/or drumming circles. She also ran numerous pre school music classes based on the Orff/Kodaly method of early music teaching.

She has been teaching piano privately for about 30 years and has been very happy to be part of the Yarra Valley Music School community for the last 9 years.

Yarra Valley School of Music

Learn More About Us

In operation for over 13 years, Yarra Valley School of Music is a Healesville based home music studio providing tailored music lessons for students of all ages and levels, in a relaxed & fun environment.  

Whatever your musical goals, our professional and experienced teachers will personally tailor your tuition to suit your unique learning style & your own musical needs.  Whether that be taking on a new hobby, finally learning the instrument you’ve always wanted to,  or for  serious musicians wanting to prepare and polish for performance or audition or taking on VCE music, AMEB exams or university – we go at your pace.

YVSM is currently offering private one on one lessons in vocals, piano, guitar, ukulele, self-accompaniment, VCE & university music theory tutoring & general music theory, performance/audition preparation and polishing.

Why Choose Us?

Yarra Valley School of Music have been the number one choice for families of the Yarra Valley over the past decade and some because YOU WILL play with passion & perform with pride because this is how we teach – with passion & pride & an unrelenting determination to help you achieve your goals.

Tailored 1:1 Lessons

Teaching is tailored and delivered to match each student's individual learning style. Lessons can be face-to-face or via online video conference.

Music Theory Lessons

We specialise in music theory and can tutor VCE or university students and/or students taking formal music examinations.

AMEB Exam Preparation

Our students consistently perform with excellence and achieve high results in all AMEB examinations.

Performance & Audition Preparation and Polishing

We will help you prepare for your performances and auditions by refining your performance techniques and creating exercises to help you to overcome specific challenges.

Testimonials

What our students and parents are saying

It is with a degree of enthusiasm that I take this opportunity to comment on my time as a student of Maria and the YV School of Music. I am an older student, mid 60’s and I was given a beautiful piece of furniture called a baby grand piano and after some months thought it might be useful if I could play, even a little. Its fair to say that I am not Maria’s usual demographic and have a heavy work schedule including a couple of advisory boards and therefore have competing priorities and perhaps may deserve the occasional comment that I don’t complete the required practice every week. Despite having every reason to give up, Maria continually comes up with new music or ideas to both keep me going and enthusiastic to come back next week. Maria has a fantastic musical knowledge and has skills and tactics beyond her years to draw the best out of students. I’m sure a lesser teacher would have either allowed me to quit./(optional) or in some cases encouraged me to do so. The true delight for me is seeing and meeting the student before me or after me in what is no doubt Maria’s wheelhouse of young students 6/16. Their enthusiasm and delight at seeing Maria is a genuine pleasure. Hats Off to YV School of Music.
Stephen Atkinson
Student
As a fellow music teacher, I have worked with Maria at three different high schools over a period of five years. I have watched her teaching with admiration and profound respect – everywhere she works, she accumulates students eager to learn from her. She has the ability to take someone with raw talent and polish their abilities so they can truly shine. My daughter has been having singing lessons with Maria for two years and I am amazed by how she continues to go from strength to strength every week. Maria’s teaching is thoroughly prepared, well planned and strategically thought out to facilitate long-term development. Her manner is incredibly encouraging and positive and my daughter always leaves her lessons feeling uplifted and inspired. In fact, Maria’s teaching is so strong, I’m about to start singing lessons with her myself! Maria’s home studio is wonderfully set up for parents and students alike, with a very comfortable waiting area for parents. Maria is a consummate professional whose music teaching I would happily recommend to anyone.
Andrew Darling
Brass Teacher, guitar teacher and band conductor at: Healesville High School, Billanook College, Little Yarra Steiner School
I started playing piano with Maria over a decade ago and ever since then my love for music has nothing but grown. I am currently studying music at a tertiary level and I can guarantee I would not be doing so if it were not for Maria’s excellent guidance, passion and expertise in music. As a university student practicing music every day, you would think eventually it would become monotonous, however every single lesson I’ve ever had with Maria has left me walking out feeling inspired, excited and determined to be even better than I was yesterday. I can also adamantly say that every single lesson I learn something new because the only thing that surpasses Maria’s passion for teaching is her wisdom and comprehension of the human voice, piano and music and all it entails as a whole.
Sam Lees
Student
During my time as a student at Yarra Valley School of Music I have been extremely impressed with the professionalism and warmth of the teachers. Maria has been a wonderful teacher and I thoroughly enjoy every lesson I have with her. Maria has a great ability to select music that best complements my style of playing and pieces that will be a good challenge whilst remain fun and enjoyable to play. I have especially enjoyed her ability to effectively integrate music theory into the teaching of new pieces to build a deeper knowledge and understanding of music as a whole. Maria’s infectious love for music is evident in every lesson - it is always a highlight of my week to come to my piano lesson. Thanks for all your incredible work Maria!!
Stephanie Innes
Student
Maria teaches because she wants others to know how wonderful music can be. She wants to help children find that inner voice, the one flowing with melodies and let them be loved by music. Singing is a part of my everyday life and that is thanks to Maria. She took a small, shy 7 year old girl and helped her discover the beauty that singing creates. As I grew she added to my musical knowledge, teaching me piano so if I wanted to pursue education in a musical sense I would have the foundations. I couldn’t see my life without music being in it, and Maria is the one who guided me to this magical place. For almost a decade she has been a prominent person in my life. She loves all her students and cares for each one's needs and dreams.
Sylvie Dyson-Taylor
Student
I recently returned to learning piano after a very long break. My goal with Maria is to take AMEB exams, and to overtime, get back to the level of piano I achieved when I was younger (Gr. 10 Royal Conservatory Method) Maria is an exceptional teacher. She's firm, fair and encouraging in her teaching style. I've already heard a huge improvement in my playing since starting with her, 4 months ago, and just received an A+ in my recent AMEB exam! I come home happy and inspired after each lesson having built on my knowledge and playing ability. Without doubt Maria will help bring me to my full potential.
Marika Silwedel
Student
I am learning singing & piano with Maria. Being a senior, I need a patient teacher & I have found that with Maria. Maria loves music & she loves teaching, this comes across in every lesson. Maria inspires me to improve and motivates me with ideas like "perform at some open mic nights" or "do some busking at markets or the shops to increase your confidence" and "singing is like being an olympian, you need to train everyday!" I look forward to my weekly lesson as it is always fun and relaxing and each week I gain more musical knowledge, confidence and ability.
Vicki Parts
Student
Maria is a wonderful and clear headed music teacher. Over the past 18 months she has been teaching piano to my son Beau showing a well balanced blend of encouragement and attention to technique. As a musician myself, I see this as an essential quality in not only attaining good learning outcomes but instilling positivity and a love of music in children. Thank you Maria
Tim Howden
Parent
I share music lessons with my 8yr old granddaughter at YVSM. Maria’s sympathetic teaching and understanding has helped a tentative and sensitive beginner develop into a child that can now play with confidence and enjoy experimenting with music. We often work together on musical projects – always with fun and laughter. Maria’s enthusiasm and sense of humour make our lessons a delight. Maria also takes me out of my comfort zone, always encouraging me to try new things; never thought I’d be strumming twelve bar blues at 62.... Thank you for all the fun.
Chris Poole
Student/Grandparent
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