Music lessons with a creative focus in the West.

Now taking bookings for 2025

footscraypianoteachers@gmail.com

About

Footscray Piano Teachers was founded in 2022 by Rick Parnaby. We aim to provide individually tailored music lessons with a focus on creativity.

Rick is an Australian music composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist and teacher. He spent many years touring internationally with his band Money For Rope before relocating to London to concentrate on media composition and tuition. After seven years in London teaching privately as well as with Muswell Hill piano teachers, Rick returned to Melbourne with the intention of setting up a new teaching agency.

Rick draws on his experience in the world of composition and music production to provide a creative focus and access to professional recording tools alongside traditional music pedagogy.

rickparnaby.com

Testimonials.

  • I started learning piano with Rick when I was in my mid-40s. He was my teacher for about a year (before he unfortunately moved back to Australia) and saw me through the first 2 ABRSM grades, both of which I passed with distinction. In between exam prep we practised different skills using songs that I wanted to play, or pieces that Rick suggested. He was very open to different styles of music and I’ve played everything from Celine Dion to Lady Gaga, and Elton John to Oasis. We also worked on my own compositions which was nerve wracking but also fun, though I don’t think you’ll be seeing me in the charts any time soon. Rick is a great teacher who is fun and encouraging, and who can make lessons as serious or as laid back as you want them to be. He also taught my 13 year old daughter who can be pretty grumpy, and not really known for her desire to practice (especially scales). He was very patient with her, put up admirably with her teenage quirks, and even managed to get her through grade 2 as well. He also got her playing lots of different pieces that she enjoyed. I would definitely recommend Rick to anyone of any age looking for a music teacher.

    Lydia, London UK

  • Rick is an absolute gem of a music teacher. Rick worked with our three children age 10, 9 and 7. Rick spent time getting to know the children and working at their pace and style. We spent two years seeing Rick every week and the kids always looked forwards to his visits. I think Rick has shown the kids how they can use music to express their own creativity in a way that works for them. If I could afford I'd send the kids to Australia to see him weekly!

    Kulsoom, London UK

  • Rick is an inspirational, committed and highly engaging music teacher. Our son has thoroughly enjoyed learning with him - we have been delighted at the speed and range of his musical development under Rick's guidance and encouragement. We would highly recommend Rick's classes for any musicians interested in creative composition and music production.

    Amila, London UK