The dbmusic Studio

Teacher Spotlight – Meet Steve Wooster!

We're excited to welcome Steve Wooster to the dbMUSIC team as our Special Guest Bass Lecturer!

With over 30 years of experience on the bass, Steve brings serious groove, musicality, and real-world performance experience to every session. Having performed extensively throughout Newcastle, Sydney, and beyond, he has built a reputation as a versatile and dynamic musician with a deep understanding of what it takes to make a band feel great.
Influenced by legendary bassists including Marcus Miller, Rocco Prestia, Flea, Victor Wooten, Tim Commerford, Les Claypool, and Henrik Linder, Steve's playing covers everything from funk and soul to rock, fusion, and contemporary bass styles.

Whether you're looking to tighten your groove, improve your technique, expand your improvisation, or become a more expressive and versatile bassist, Steve offers practical insights gained from more than three decades of professional performance.

As our Guest Bass Lecturer, Steve is offering advanced casual bass lessons by appointment only.
This is an amazing opportunity for dedicated bass players wanting to refine their playing, deepen their musical understanding, and take their bass playing to the next level with one of the region's most experienced musicians.

Advanced Bass Lessons | By Appointment Only
If you're serious about bass, this is an opportunity you won't want to miss.

Welcome to the dbMUSIC team, Steve!

Teacher Spotlight – Meet Rob Kalaf! 🎹

Continuing our teacher spotlight series, we're excited to introduce Rob Kalaf, who teaches keyboards at dbMUSIC!

Music has been a constant in Rob's life from the very beginning, with a passion that extends from different genres through to the finer details of music theory, sound, and performance.

Rob began his musical journey with classical Suzuki cello before moving into piano, working through AMEB grades. During high school at HSPA, he played and toured with the stage band and completed HSC Music 2, building a strong foundation in both performance and musicianship.

Since then, Rob has continued to expand his musical horizons, including working in musical theatre and currently composing a soundtrack for an independent Newcastle production.

As a teacher, Rob focuses on helping students develop solid technique, sharpen their musical ear, and discover their own style. Whether you're just starting out or looking to build on your existing skills, his aim is to help students not just play music, but truly connect with it.

We're thrilled to have Rob as part of the dbMUSIC teaching team! 🎹🎶

Teacher Spotlight – Meet Candice Elliott!

Continuing our teacher spotlight series, we're excited to introduce Candice Elliott, who is teaching vocals at the studio!
Candice is currently studying a double degree in Music and Performing Arts (Performance & Songwriting) at the University of Newcastle and has also completed a Certificate III in Music Industry.

Alongside performing with a range of professional and emerging musicians, Candice has been a regular performer at dbMUSIC showcase concerts since 2023, helping students experience the excitement of performing in a live band environment.

She enjoys teaching across pop, indie, R&B/soul, rock, and power ballads, while continuing to expand into jazz, country, and musical theatre. Her lessons focus on vocal technique, breath control, microphone technique, performance skills, and building confidence in a supportive, relaxed environment where students feel comfortable expressing themselves.

Music has always been a huge part of Candice's life, and singing quickly became her greatest passion. She loves helping students grow in confidence, develop their unique voice, and discover what they're capable of through music.

If you've been thinking about singing lessons or want to take your voice to the next level, we'd love for you to meet Candice here at dbMUSIC. 🎤✨

Teacher Spotlight – Meet Luigi Brollo!
Continuing our teacher spotlight series, we're excited to introduce Luigi Brollo, who is teaching Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays at the studio!

From commanding the stage with his metal-core band to delivering refined acoustic performances, Luigi is recognised for his technical precision, musical versatility, and genuine passion for sharing music with others.

Teaching guitar, bass and drums, Luigi brings an energetic, engaging, and encouraging approach to every lesson. Whether you're picking up an instrument for the first time or looking to refine your technique, he tailors each lesson to suit your individual goals, helping students build confidence, creativity, solid musicianship, and a lifelong love of music.

With experience across a wide range of musical styles and students of all ages, Luigi is committed to making every lesson fun, inspiring, and rewarding.

If you've been thinking about learning music, or taking your playing to the next level, we'd love for you to meet Luigi. He's teaching at dbMUSIC every Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday.

WHAT...A...NIGHT!!!

A massive thank you to everyone who packed out the studio for last night's guitar workshop with the incredible Michael Dolce and Jeremy Barnes. We were absolutely thrilled to see a full house and such an amazing atmosphere from start to finish!
The guitar playing was nothing short of phenomenal, but what made the night truly special was the honesty, generosity, and inspiration that Michael and Jeremy shared with everyone in the room.

From managing anxiety both on and off the stage, believing in yourself, developing the right mindset, and learning how to practise effectively (not just practising more!), every conversation was packed with real-world advice that every musician could take away and apply.
There were plenty of laughs, incredible stories from life on the road, amazing demonstrations, and so many moments that left everyone feeling inspired to pick up their guitar and keep chasing their goals.
A huge thank you to Michael and Jeremy for being so generous with your time, knowledge, and experience. We know everyone walked away a better musician and feeling motivated to keep growing.

And to everyone who came along... thank you for making it such a special night. The energy in the room was unreal! ❤️
This is exactly why we love bringing these workshops to our dbMUSIC community... and we're only just getting started. Stay tuned... we've got plenty more exciting events on the way! 🎶

Only a handful of tickets left for tonight's guitar masterclass with the amazing Michael Dolce and Jeremy Barnes!
Link below...you don't want to miss this!

FROM PRACTICE ROOM TO WORLD STAGE FROM PRACTICE ROOM TO WORLD STAGE dbMUSIC is excited to present a special Guitar Clinic and Music Industry Q&A featuring two of Australia's most...

🎤 The Voice kicks off this Sunday on Channel 7, so what better time to get the inside story! 😄

We still have a handful of tickets left for tomorrow night's Michael Dolce Guitar Clinic at dbMUSIC. As the guitarist for The Voice, Michael will be sharing stories from behind the scenes, along with invaluable insights into technique, tone, creativity, touring, and the music industry.

Joining Michael is the incredible Jeremy Barnes, making this a night packed with world-class musicianship, inspiration, and plenty of laughs. This is going to be something special!

If you play guitar—or music in general—you won't want to miss this one. Grab one of the last remaining tickets below before they're gone!

FROM PRACTICE ROOM TO WORLD STAGE FROM PRACTICE ROOM TO WORLD STAGE dbMUSIC is excited to present a special Guitar Clinic and Music Industry Q&A featuring two of Australia's most...

Teacher Spotlight – Welcome Jesse Barnes!

Continuing our teacher spotlight series, we're excited to introduce the newest member of the dbMUSIC teaching team, Jesse Barnes, who is now teaching Thursdays at the studio!

Jesse is a guitarist, bassist, and highly sought-after live and studio session musician, known for his expressive playing, technical precision, and versatility across a wide range of musical styles. Currently touring with artists including Nathan Lamont, Scarlett Gee, and Zak Armstrong, Jesse has built a reputation as a dependable live performer and creative collaborator. His career has taken him throughout Australia and overseas, including hosting a musicians' masterclass tour along the east coast of India in 2025.

Drawing inspiration from modern guitar greats including Guthrie Govan, Greg Howe, and Frank Gambale, Jesse's playing blends melodic phrasing with advanced improvisation, fluid legato, hybrid picking, tasteful slide work, and dynamic lead guitar.

As a teacher, Jesse is passionate about helping guitarists of all ages and experience levels build strong technique, confidence, creativity, and a genuine understanding of the instrument. Every lesson is tailored to the individual student, whether they're just starting out or looking to develop improvisation, music theory, lead guitar, songwriting, or live performance skills.

If you've been thinking about learning guitar or taking your playing to the next level, we'd love for you to meet Jesse. He's now teaching at dbMUSIC every Thursday.
Welcome to the team, Jesse! 🎉

🎶 At dbMUSIC, we're so fortunate to have an incredible team of teachers who are not only passionate musicians but also inspiring mentors to their students.
Today we're shining the spotlight on the amazing Liam Wilson!
Take a moment to check out Liam's teacher profile and learn more about his musical journey, what inspires him, and the advice he shares with every student.
https://dbmusic.mymusicstaff.com/meet-our-teachers

If you've been thinking about learning drums or taking your playing to the next level, Liam is available for lessons at dbMUSIC on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Get to know Liam below!

1. Tell us a little about your musical journey.
I began to truly enjoy playing and performing music at around 11 years old when I picked up the drums to join my primary school band. I almost immediately fell in love with the instrument. Since then, I've played in a number of bands, usually performing heavier music, playing live gigs and recording original songs. I always try to make the parts I play unique and fun. I've also played with cover bands, jazz ensembles and as part of a concert percussion team. More recently, I've started teaching at dbMUSIC and have really enjoyed sharing my love of the drums with others. I'm still learning every day myself, and I love helping others discover the instrument.
2. What do you enjoy most about teaching music?
I'm motivated to teach because I want others to experience the same fulfilment and sense of purpose through music that I have. I aim to inspire that same sense of awe I felt when I was learning the drums—that feeling that you can create something meaningful through music. I want everyone who learns the drums to keep striving to improve, even when they feel confident in their abilities.
3. What are your biggest musical influences?
When I first started playing the drums, my biggest influences and heroes were Tré Cool from Green Day and Travis Barker from Blink-182. Listening to the parts they created and watching them perform shaped my approach to drumming, both stylistically and creatively. Their use of intensity, speed and intricate hand and footwork had a huge influence on my playing. As I developed my own sound, drummers such as Alex Rodriguez from Saosin and Joey Jordison from Slipknot became major influences as well.
4. What advice would you give to someone learning an instrument?
Never be satisfied with just "good enough," but always make sure you're having fun.
5. Tell us something people might not know about you.
When I was 10 years old, I fainted after being stung on the finger by a bee!

Tickets are selling fast! If you've been thinking about coming along, now's the time to secure your spot before it's too late.

Michael Dolce and Jeremy Barnes to share industry secrets at Broadmeadow clinic Aspiring guitarists, music students and working musicians will have the chance to learn from two of Australia's most accomplished players when Michael