Music

Industry Insights and Guitar Masterclass with Michael Dolce

Last week, Kilbreda College was thrilled to welcome Michael Dolce, renowned guitarist and long-time band member for The Voice Australia, for a special presentation and guitar workshop. All private music students were invited to attend an engaging Q&A session where Michael shared valuable insights into the realities of working in the music industry. He spoke candidly about the demands of performing live on television, including the intense preparation required for The Voice, where he learns and plays over 320 songs in just two months. Students were captivated by behind-the-scenes footage that revealed the fast-paced and high-pressure environment of professional music performance.

Michael also addressed the topic of performance anxiety, reassuring students that it’s a natural part of being a musician. He encouraged them to embrace it, learn to manage it and ultimately use it to their advantage. His message was clear: developing your own musical voice and style is essential and learning from other artists is part of that journey.

Following the Q&A, Michael led a guitar masterclass with our senior guitarists. The session focused on improvisation techniques, chord voicings and creative expression – giving students practical tools to elevate their playing and deepen their understanding of musical storytelling.

We are incredibly grateful to Michael for his generosity, wisdom and encouragement. His visit was both inspiring and empowering for our students, and we look forward to welcoming him back in the future.

Student Reflection

Guitar Masterclass with Michael Dolce

On Friday afternoon, we had the privilege of participating in a masterclass with one of Australia’s top guitarists, Michael Dolce. Alongside six other Kilbreda guitarists, we explored techniques for managing performance anxiety, learned how to improvise using the minor pentatonic scale and chord tones and discovered how to use silence as a powerful tool in our solos – an asset rather than a weakness.

Michael also shared stories from his career, including his work on The Voice and collaborations with artists such as Niall Horan, Delta Goodrem and the Madden Brothers. He spoke especially highly of Delta, describing her as one of his favourite artists to work with due to her creativity and musicality.

We stayed back after the session to ask questions and Michael generously shared advice and experiences that left us feeling inspired and excited to continue developing as musicians.

Beatrice White, Daisy White and Elisabeth McCartney

Year 11

Classical Guitar Lessons with Bernardo Soler

Bernardo Soler, a long-standing member of the Kilbreda College Music team, is accepting new students for private classical guitar tuition. Classical guitar is an expressive instrument that teaches fingerstyle technique, musical phrasing and independent coordination, all while exploring rich and diverse repertoire from around the world.
 
Bernardo has recently returned from an international tour through Singapore and Europe, where he performed in celebration of Philippines Independence Day with his ensemble and traditional Filipino dancers. His performances showcased his deep connection to cultural music and live collaboration.
 
Bernardo teaches through demonstration and practical methods, creating a relaxed and supportive environment for students of all levels. He is also highly experienced in vocal accompaniment, making him an ideal tutor for singers looking to develop their live performance skills.
 
Please see this video of Mr Soler’s recent performance here: https://youtu.be/Ssgmm0_tJ0E?si=k9sJLylOxGaRfdJJ.

If you are interested, please contact performingarts@kilbreda.vic.edu.au for enrolment information.

Kara-Lee Rabbetts

Learning Leader: Performing Arts – Music