How it all began

Julia Sykes began developing Sykes Piano in 2003 because she could not find a piano approach that ticked all of the boxes. She realised that the only way that she was going to be able to create fantastic musicians out of her students, was if she developed a new method. 

Julia learned piano in a very traditional way and was determined that her students would not turn out like her!

After 10 years of piano lessons, she could read music well, had good technique, had done well in exams and competitions, and understood the theory of music, but there was so much that she couldn’t do. Her aural skills were hopeless, she couldn’t play by ear, she had never written any music, she had no idea how to improvise and she didn’t have any idea how to arrange even a simple piece like Happy Birthday. Her brother played guitar and she couldn’t jam with him. The pieces that she learned were mainly classical so she wasn’t very good at playing other styles of music. She was asked if she would have liked to be the keyboard player in a swing band, but said no because she had no idea how to play in a band. She would have loved to say yes! 


So that’s why Sykes Piano began.

What is Sykes Music

Sykes Music is many things. It is a method of learning piano, its a training centre for piano teachers, its a publisher and distributor of Sykes Piano books and materials, it is a community of like minded member teachers with the same goal, its a place that connects students with teachers. Check out the Sykes Music website and Sykes Music youtube channel.

Success stories

Benjamin Pallagi

Ben began learning with Sykes Music when he was 6 years of age and learned up to Grade 8 before continuing his piano studies with Mark Coughlan. He then became a Sykes Piano Teacher. He has gone on to study music at the University of Western Australia, University of Tasmania and the Liszt Academy in Budapest majoring in clarinet. He now works as a clarinettist in orchestras and other ensembles around Europe.

Success stories

Emma Kirkness

Emma began learning piano with Sykes Music when she was 11 and then became a Sykes Piano Teacher when she was 17. Emma completed her Grade 4 Theory and Grade 7 Practical AMEB piano exams.

Success stories

Sofia Ottaviano

Sofia learned piano with Sykes Music and was awarded a half-scholarship in music at St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls.