Our vision
At Riffpad Academy of Music, we envision a vibrant and joyful community with a deep love for music and the arts.
Our goal is to spark a lifelong passion for music in every student, blending fun and creativity with a path to achieve their musical dreams.
With inspiring lessons, exciting performance opportunities, and a supportive environment, we help students build confidence, hit their highest notes, and truly shine on stage, in the studio and beyond.
our values
community + collaboration
creativity + innovation
lifelong learning
meet the team
scott davis
Principal and Teacher
(Guitar, Bass, Music + Media, Songwriting, Band Class)
With 28 years spent learning and writing music and 22 years of teaching experience, Scott operates Riffpad full-time with the goal of helping as many people as possible through music education and by being beneficial to his community.
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Scott has worked with award-winning composers, producers, educators and session musicians all across the globe and currently a composer on the Universal Production Music roster as well as Audio Network, Megatrax and more.
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With such extensive knowledge of his instrument, Scott is regularly asked to record guitars for remote sessions and has co-produced full tracks for renowned artists such as Ill Niño and brands such as Lenovo.
KATHERINE KHOURY
Teacher
(Piano, Singing, Saxophone, Trumpet, Flute)
Katherine is a musical educator of 6 years with 11 years of performance experience. She specialises in orchestral arrangement and performance across a variety of stylings from traditional symphonies to neo-classical works.
Katherine is a highly accomplished and experienced player across all woodwind and brass instruments, as well as on the piano and with her voice. She is also highly skilled in the use of digital composition programs such as Sibelius and MuseScore.
Katherine believes in a tailored approach, centred around a students fundamental love of music. She uses what is natural to the student to foster a love for the theory and inner workings of music.
MURRAY SMITH
Teacher
(Guitar, Band Class)
Murray started his journey on the guitar when he was just 13 and has followed his passion through to tertiary education where he has just completed his Bachelor of Music degree at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music.
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Passionate about seeing others succeed, Murray's teaching style is relaxed and supportive, yet fun and dynamic. Rest assured, you will have solid footing as a musician with Murray on your side as he is focused on the fundamental building blocks that help create brilliant players.
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Murray can be seen out and about playing in his Thrash Metal band "EXYLE" where he not only is the guitarist and principal songwriter, but the lead vocalist. Clearly a "big-on-performance" guy, he will have you shredding in no time!
matt allison
Teacher
(Guitar, Bass, Ukulele)
Matt is laser focused on his students reaching new heights with their playing. Starting his guitar journey at the age of 12, he has honed in on his skills through countless hours of practice and performing live as well as actively mentoring his younger peers before taking up teaching professionally.
​With his Blues, Funk and Rock background you can relax knowing that Matt will get you grooving in no time. Whether or not you need to learn the basics or have the fretboard fully mapped out, Matt is reliable in planning the best route forward and has incredible patience with all of his students.
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Book a lesson with Matt today and unleash your inner Frusciante, Clapton or Mayer! Also, he LOVES his music theory and loves to make it easy for everyone. If that's something you want to learn, he's your guy!
