MUSIC

NATALIE RUIZ - Voice
Natalie is a highly trained vocalist and teacher. Her early involvement in the industry began at age fifteen with her first radio commercial and live album appearance on Youth Alive South Australia’s album, “Fire it up”. Since then she has continued singing professionally as a session vocalist in a wide range of settings, as well as backing well known artists and bands. As a musician and teacher, Natalie is highly educated in her craft since completing a Bachelor of Music in Jazz voice at the Elder conservatorium. In every part of her teaching, Natalie has a passion to see people reach their full potential and aims to equip them to be the best they can. For over 10 years, Natalie has been working as a voice/music teacher within schools and various performing arts academies. She specialises in solo performance as well as directing many vocal ensembles.

NATALIE CARGER - Voice
Having taught voice for over ten years, Natalie has a wealth of knowledge to offer her students. She studied Jazz Voice at the Elder Conservatorium and has over 8 years of solid technique training. Natalie is well equipped to challenge and inspire even the most advanced vocalist. With a heavy emphasis on correct vocal technique, she is experienced with re-training incorrect singing habits. Natalie has been singing professionally in vocal groups, gospel groups, church worship teams, and for large corporate events for many years. It is this background in group vocals, which accurately and passionately enables her to teach vocal ensembles. She always seeks to empower the individual to achieve more than ever thought possible.

ANNA BUTERA - Voice
Anna Butera has 20 years of experience in the professional field of singing, acting and dancing. She has had a variety of training in London and Melbourne under the direction of professional Opera and Music Theatre teachers. Having performed with the Australian Opera Company in 2 season’s tours of Pirates of Penzance” and “H.M.S Pinafore” Anna has extensive experience in professional music theatre. Also having toured throughout Europe she can add performing with Cameron McIntosh’s musical “Cats” and also Melbourne Workers Theatre, “Taxi”, “Opa”, and “Black Cargo” to her music theatre repertoire. She also Co-devised and performed in her one woman show “Bomboniere” for the fringe festival, Melbourne festival and regional Victoria. Currently a member of Planetshakers Creative Team, Anna has supported in Praise and Worship teams for 13 years and has a passion to equip and train singers for Church and for Professional Industry. Anna is currently completing her Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies at Victoria University. With and extensive history of teaching in colleges and other various music academy’s, Anna is highly qualified to prepare any vocalist for anything they may require.

Green Room Awards – Nominated for Best Female in Lead “Black Cargo” Nominated for Best Support Actress in “Pirates of Penzance (Fabulous Singletrees).

KATIE COOPER - Voice
Katie is a professional singer, dancer and actress; she brings to her students a wealth of knowledge from years of stage performances. From her humble beginnings as an Aussie country girl from Dalby, Queensland. Katie’s talent for singing fast became the talk of the town. Her stand-out performances in church groups, school productions and local community events made her a familiar face in the regional Australian circuit and proved to further ignite her passion for the performing arts. Graduating from the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music (Music Theatre) in 2004, Katie has since performed professionally in the performing arts arena. Already having spent almost one year as lead vocalist overseas aboard the Tahitian Princess Cruise Liner, Katie is now based in the city of Melbourne where she is currently advancing her studies in dance.

Coming on board as a voice teacher with the Planetshakers School of Creative Arts in Term 3, 2008. Katie is a great asset to the team. Her expertise in the area of voice as well as her professional musical experience makes her the perfect voice teacher for any vocalist who is passionate about the performing arts.

ANDREW HARRISON – Drums
Andrew began playing the drums at the age of 6, and after showing a natural flare for the instrument, was soon playing for many church and community events. By the time he was thirteen, Andrew was playing at state-wide events such as Youth Alive and had won several national competitions. Such experiences led to his exposure and training from some of the world’s best players and performers, as well as recognition within the national drumming community. With a particularly strong technical background, Andrew offers expertise in a wide range of musical genres and is committed to seeing students excel in all of their musical endeavours.

MORGAN RANIERI - Bass
It’s not everyday you meet a 19 year old musician who has already toured the nation with one of Australia’s best-known worship bands. Morgan Ranieri is one such individual - playing his bass guitar regularly in front of crowds in the thousands. Having trained extensively under some of Australia’s leading bass players and finishing his VCE solo performance in bass with distinctions, Morgan’s teaching style reflects the excellence instilled in him at an early age. When at home in Melbourne, Morgan is regularly playing his bass guitar with the Planetshakers band and for Planet Boom with the musical peers he once admired from afar. At other times he is seen and heard playing around the nation in front of massive crowds.

Morgan Ranieri’s charisma as a live musician is something that sets him apart from the rest. Stylistically, he is versed in a wide variety of musical styles. Rock, pop, classical, blues, jazz- the list goes on. It’s this versatility on his instrument that gives him the creative edge he needs.

For anyone wanting to take their playing to the next level, Morgan Ranieri has the wealth of experience necessary to take one’s bass guitar technique from strength to strength.

DAVID TWEEDIE - Guitar
An accomplished guitarist, held in great stead by his peers, David Tweedie is a musician who is currently in high demand. Fast becoming one of Melbourne's top session guitarists and with over 11 years playing experience, David's reputation precedes him wherever he goes. As a keen student himself and having studied under some of Australia's leading players and teachers, David's strength lies with his musical versatility. Known for his smooth acoustic finger style and tasteful Brazilian jazz playing, David Tweedie is also a master of funk, jazz and fusion grooves, not to mention flamenco guitar and other more experimental styles. Some of David Tweedie's accomplishments include attaining a high score in V.C.E music in solo performance as well as receiving the senior music award from Mulluana College in 2005. Currently completing a Bachelor of Applied Music (Performance) at Box Hill Institute of TAFE, David continues to receive other achievement awards such as the Ken Barker Excellence Award 2008. Also thriving in a group dynamic, David Tweedie is enjoying great success with band Grace_Note; a Christian jazz/fusion collaboration. Having released their debut album 'Unity' in early 2008, Grace_Note have already performed at some of Australia’s largest Christian festivals. Not limited to just one setting however, David is also a part of the History Makers band, the Youth Alive Victoria band and the Christian funk soul group the Clashtones. In 5 years of professional teaching, David Tweedie has inspired and equipped many guitarists to reach their full potential. His knowledge and experience are stand out qualities that continue to attract a following of new students.

SCOTT LIM - Piano
Music has always played an integral part in Scott's life. Since the age of three, Scott has learnt a variety of instruments which include the piano, keyboard, guitar, violin and drums. Having completed his Piano practical and theory Piano Grade 8 (ABRSM London), Scott has the technical ability and professional experience to take your piano/keyboard playing to the next level. Having toured with a number of church bands over the years and also actively touring and serving in the creative ministries of Planetshakers City Church, Scott is passionate about seeing every student come to his or her full potential.

DANCE
TARINI SASH – Dance
With a portfolio to make anyone look twice, Tarini Sash certainly has a wealth of experience to draw from. Taking dance classes from as early as she can remember, Tarini’s love and flair for dance have helped open doors to professional training in Australia and abroad. Having studied and trained for her Diploma of Performing Arts at Melbourne’s Dance World 301, she went on to further her training in London. It was later in the United States however, that Tarini found herself working with some of the world’s most cutting-edge choreographers and gaining insight into how they produce routines for the likes of Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce and Usher to name a few.

Tarini’s professional dancing credits include performing for live television at the Australian Logie Awards, the Australian Aria Awards, and high profile events such as Melbourne’s L’Oreal Fashion Week. Other credits include Choreographing and dancing for MTV TRL, The Urban Music Awards, and a wide range of high budget video clips. More recent performances include co-choreographing and dancing in The Planetshakers School of Creative Arts Annual Benefit Concert 2007, Melbourne’s Beautiful Woman event in 2007, as well as Planetshakers Conference 2008 in front of over 5000 people at Melbourne’s Vodafone arena.

Among the many artists she has worked with over the years, Tarini’s professional career somewhat peaked when in her early twenties she was dancing with celebrities like Ricky Martin and other high profile names. Tarini has also performed for the American artist Usher, appeared in television commercials and worked as an extra in various films. Tarini’s choreography incorporates a variety of styles ranging from Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet and Tap, through to Musical Theatre Spectacular. Her broad range of expertise helps her relate to dancers of all ages and levels; from basic beginners through to advanced professionals.

As a teacher, Tarini’s greatest desire is to see her students empowered and given the keys they need to reach their highest level of potential. Whilst her credentials are seriously impressive, she uses her past experience to teach others about the pros and cons of industry work. Her life is a testimony of how the art form of dance can be used as a beautiful and powerful instrument in the hand of God.
More information coming soon…