Meet Your Teachers
Alison, Ashley, Dave, Grace, Luca, Amado, Logan, Archie, James and Lachie
We look forward to teaching you!
Alison Glew
Alison founded Alison Glew Guitar School in Winthrop back in 2015 though her teaching journey began much earlier. She started teaching in the early 1990s, working alongside her mother, who also ran a guitar school.
Alison specialises in arranging popular music for all levels, from simplifying songs for beginners in their very first lessons to challenging advanced students with more complex arrangements.
She is passionate about helping students develop a lifelong love of playing music by learning songs they genuinely enjoy as she believes keeps students inspired, practising regularly, and building skills that last.
Alongside private teaching, Alison runs weekly face-to-face and online ukulele workshops and has created popular online courses including Ukulele Evolution, Intro to Ukulele, Melody Unlocked, and Ukulele Club.
She is known for simplifying complex musical concepts, making lessons fun, achievable, and appropriately challenging.
Alison quickly breaks down songs students want to learn and teaches music theory in a practical, relevant way. She often sings and plays with students to help them understand rhythm, accompaniment, and how music fits together in a band setting.
She is proud to have built a strong, diverse team of professional teachers who share a common goal; passing on the gift of music, mentoring students, and helping them develop confidence and personal pride through their musical experience and connections.
Ashley Stewart
Ashley is a passionate and versatile musician who teaches guitar with a focus on building confidence, creativity, and a genuine enjoyment of music. She plays guitar, ukulele, bass, piano, and trombone, and also sings, giving her a well-rounded and practical musical background.
Ashley specialises in indie and soft rock, and enjoys helping students build strong foundations while encouraging them to explore their own musical style. She works with students of different ages and skill levels, tailoring her lessons to suit individual goals and learning styles.
Currently studying Set Design at WAAPA, Ashley brings a unique creative perspective to her teaching, along with an understanding of performance and artistic expression.
Known for her supportive and relaxed teaching style, Ashley creates a positive learning environment where students feel comfortable, motivated, and inspired to grow.
David Petchell
GUITAR - UKULELE - BASS
Dave Petchell is an upbeat, approachable, and friendly teacher who makes everyone feel welcome from the moment they walk in. With an easy going, positive manner and a natural way of connecting with students, Dave creates lessons that are engaging, motivating, and fun while still staying focused and professional.
Dave has completed Sound Production at TAFE and brings strong technical expertise in audio and sound to both his teaching and performance work. Alongside his role at the studio, he works professionally as an audio technician for TV racehorse filming across Western Australia.
He is also our go-to person for student performances, MCing events and ensuring all equipment, microphones, and pedals are working seamlessly alongside venue audio teams.
A passionate member of our teaching team for almost a decade, Dave is our resident “rock god”, known for his positive energy and genuine love of teaching. He has an extensive song knowledge bank and can easily move between styles, from 90s rock favourites and heavy metal solos to blues, classical, and pop. He also enjoys producing and recording his own music.
Dave has performed at major venues and festivals including the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Challenge Stadium, SOTA, and various Perth music festivals. He has received multiple WAM Song of the Year nominations, including for his band My Shadow and I in the Punk/Hardcore category.
He has also released recordings with a range of artists and supported bands such as Panic! at the Disco, Eskimo Joe, 28 Days, The Getaway Plan, and Strung Out.
Holding multiple AMEB qualifications in Classical Guitar and Music Theory, Dave has a strong understanding of theory and knows how to apply it practically without overwhelming students or introducing unnecessary concepts too early.
Grace Brady
Families and students love Grace for her friendly, approachable nature and her ability to achieve great results while fostering a genuine passion for music. She connects easily with both young people and adults, creating a positive and supportive learning environment.
You’ll often find her laughing and singing through lessons while teaching popular acoustic cover arrangements on guitar and ukulele. Grace also works on the admin team, so she’s quite possibly the person you’ll first be in touch with.
She enjoys listening to and playing pop, alternative, and indie music, and has a particular passion for advanced ukulele. Grace is highly skilled at teaching strong musical foundations, including correct playing technique, basic music theory, rhythm and strumming, as well as chords, fingerpicking, and riffs.
Grace is passionate about encouraging students to persevere, build confidence, and strive for their personal best—all while enjoying the process of making music.
Outside of teaching, Grace works with NDIS clients with dementia, using music therapy to provide support and enrichment, which she finds incredibly rewarding. She is also a freelance graphic designer, having completed a Bachelor of Design in 2024, and works with a range of clients across different projects.
In addition, Grace is an accomplished ballroom dancer, bringing a strong sense of rhythm and creativity into everything she does.
Luca Gatti
Luca is an accomplished country guitarist and vocalist, currently completing his Bachelor of Music at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), majoring in Jazz. With a strong foundation in both country and jazz styles, Luca brings versatility and depth to his playing and teaching.
He regularly headlines his own band, where he sings and plays guitar, and also gigs across Western Australia at pubs, rodeos, and regional venues with a variety of acts. His experience as a frontman and working musician gives him a solid understanding of live performance and musical collaboration.
Luca has been teaching guitar for several years and is passionate about helping students develop their skills with confidence. He particularly enjoys working with advanced students looking to refine their technique, but his approachable nature and musicality make him equally great with beginners. Because Luca sings and plays, he can make even simple songs sound full and authentic, making it easier for beginners to recognise melodies and stay motivated as they learn.
Amado Guerra
Originally from Colombia, Amado Guerra consistently receives glowing feedback from both students and parents. With 14 years of teaching experience and a Bachelor's degree in Education with a specialisation in Artistic and Cultural Education: Music, Amado brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to every lesson.
Amado enjoys playing rock and pop music, as well as Latin fingerstyle guitar, and his diverse musical background allows him to tailor his teaching to suit a wide range of styles and skill levels.
Known for his ability to connect with younger students, Amado’s lessons are engaging, fun, and filled with creativity, making him especially popular with kids. He creates a supportive learning environment that motivates students to progress and develop their skills with confidence.
In addition to teaching, Amado is an active performer, playing with bands and duos around Perth, where he showcases his versatility as a guitarist. His experience as a live musician adds real-world insight to his teaching, inspiring students to explore their own potential for performance.
Outside of music, Amado enjoys spending time with his young family, who keep him busy and inspired. We're thrilled to have such a dedicated and talented educator as part of our team!
Logan Edwards
Logan's teaching philosophy revolves around creating personalised lesson plans that cater to individual learning styles and curiosities. He ensures his students set and achieve realistic goals through consistent practice and effective time management techniques.
Logan's expertise spans both practical and theoretical aspects of guitar playing, making him adept at teaching students of all ages, from children to adults.
Educationally, Logan holds a Certificate III in Music Industry and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music (Contemporary Guitar) at the prestigious WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
His academic journey involves routine study and collaboration with groups of six or more students to achieve common goals and complete assessments. Logan is well-versed in analysing and performing various genres, including pop, blues, RnB, and jazz.
Beyond his professional life, Logan loves to travel and has completed an inspiring trip to Japan in 2024. His diverse experiences and love for music make him a dynamic and engaging teacher who inspires students to explore their musical potential.
Archie Swan
Archie Swan is a dedicated and passionate junior guitar instructor currently pursuing a Certificate III at John Curtin College of the Arts and a Certificate IV in Music at Mount Pleasant College. With a deep-rooted love for music, Archie has been playing guitar since the age of five and drums since the age of three. His first professional performance took place at the Crown Theatre at just 11 years old in 2019.
In addition to his teaching, Archie serves as the co-band leader of the Freo Marching Band WASAMBA, a group with which he has performed for the past four years.
Specializing in rock, blues, basic chords, jazz, chord structure, and fundamental to intermediate music theory, Archie works with students of all ages and skill levels, helping them develop both their practice and performance abilities. Known for his positive and passionate teaching approach, he fosters an engaging and motivating learning environment for his students.
James Banks
James Banks is a highly experienced and passionate music teacher with over 10 years of teaching experience, working with students of all ages and skill levels.
He began playing classical guitar at age 10 under the guidance of his uncle, an accomplished musician, before discovering electric guitar at 12 and developing a strong passion for instrumental playing. His teaching journey began at a local music store, where he stepped in for a lesson and quickly grew into a full teaching schedule, teaching there for seven years.
James holds a Diploma of Music Performance (Bass Guitar) and teaches guitar, drums, piano, and ukulele. His broad musical background allows him to adapt his lessons to suit different learning styles, interests, and goals.
He has also worked as a group instructor, teaching classes of up to nine students, and has experience coordinating community music events. During his time at Forte School of Music, he was recognised for having the highest student retention across multiple locations—an achievement he is especially proud of.
Alongside teaching, James has been actively involved in Perth’s music scene as a performer and DJ, bringing real-world experience and energy into his lessons.
Known for his friendly and down-to-earth approach, James creates a supportive, engaging environment where students can build confidence, develop their skills, and enjoy their musical journey.
Lachlan Frear
Lachlan (Lachy) is a first-year student in the Bachelor of Music (Contemporary Guitar) at WAAPA and a passionate, down-to-earth teacher who connects especially well with kids and beginners. Friendly, patient, and personable, Lachy creates a relaxed learning environment where students feel encouraged to give things a go and enjoy the process.
Musically, Lachy loves blues and rock, with influences including John Mayer, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, Jimi Hendrix, and Pink Floyd.
He has performed across Western Australia, including Perth, Margaret River, Rockingham, and Mandurah, and brings real-world playing experience into his lessons.
Lachy believes the best way to learn music is by playing. His lessons focus on getting students making music from the start, while still building strong foundations along the way. He’s especially good at breaking concepts down into simple, easy-to-understand steps for beginners.
Having started his own musical journey just a few years ago, Lachy’s progress has been exceptional, earning him a place in WAAPA’s highly competitive Bachelor program.
While his technical skills are impressive (yes, he can absolutely shred!), what really sets him apart is his humility, patience, and ability to explain things clearly and calmly.
Lachy is a fantastic choice for students who want a supportive teacher who will help them build confidence while having fun.
