The Music Garden has been operating continuously since 2004. Our carefully structured classes are taught by experienced and qualified Suzuki Music Teachers with a passion for working with babies and toddlers, and a deep belief in the potential of every child. Over the years we have worked with hundreds of parents, babies and toddlers, guiding parents on how to work with their child in class, and how to nurture their child’s development at home. We are proud that so many families choose work with us for the long term, from newborn to toddler to pre-schooler and honoured to support our parents and be a part of a child’s life during these tender, formative years. We are committed to inclusion and diversity at The Music Garden, and welcome children of all abilities. We have experience of working with children with ASD, Williams Syndrome and sight-impairment as well as a range of different developmental delays, and are very comfortable adapting what we do where necessary. We are very keen to talk with any families who would like their child to benefit from our classes and discuss if our classes would work for them.

 "The Music Garden is by far one of the most positive Early Childhood Education experiences both my children and myself have experienced. Alina and Ester are so passionate about and committed to their “work”.  They have such a wonderfully welcoming and calming presence. No matter what kind of day you and your children may be experiencing outside class, The Music Garden is an opportunity to connect, to become absorbed in the music and everything seems so much better for having been to class. A very uplifting experience."

 Sonya, Music Garden Parent

Alina GOLLNER

Founder and Lead Teacher Annandale

Alina began Suzuki music as a student aged 6, and began her teaching career (piano and flute) as soon as she finished school. After completing a Science degree she decided to follow her passion for education, and spent a year at the Suzuki Talent Education Research Institute in Matsumoto, Japan, studying with Toshio Takahashi, founder of the Suzuki Flute Method, and graduated as a Suzuki Flute Teacher in October 1996, the first Suzuki flute student in Australia to do so.

After completing a Masters of Teaching on her return to Sydney, Alina continued her Suzuki training both here in Australia and the US studying with inspiring teachers from around the globe. She established The Music Garden in October 2004, one of the first Suzuki ECE programs in Sydney. In recent years, Alina has been invited to train and guide the next generation of Suzuki Early Childhood Music Teachers and Flute teachers.

 Parenthood, and seeing the impact of The Music Garden first hand on her own children has only deepened Alina’s appreciation and understanding of this work along with the challenges and delights of the 0-3 and 3-5 age groups. As a result, she is able to provide a unique blend of expertise and insight to support both children and parents through the journey of these precious early years and beyond with respect, love, and of course, music.

“It is an immense privilege and honour to be working with babies, toddlers and parents, witnessing the joy of discovery and learning unfold week after week. It is my hope that all our Music Garden children continue to love music and learning, and grow into kind, sensitive adults who help create a better world"

Valerie GUTENEV HALE

Lead Teacher Paddington

Like many children, Valerie used to sing incessantly as a child and dreamed of playing the piano. Fate intervened, and after an unfortunate incident with an accordion, the violin was chosen as Valerie’s instrument. Attempts at rebellion and return to the love affair with the piano were thwarted until one day Valerie discovered to her surprise that she could make beautiful music on the stringed singer and saw the joy of connecting over music with others. And so she continued to study and play the violin completing a music degree majoring in performance, teaching and playing in orchestras, chamber groups, as a soloist and venturing out of the classical scene to musicals and alternative underground gigs with neon lights in dark lit places. 

Then Suzuki lightning struck, Valerie experienced a Suzuki early childhood music class and became a Suzuki parent overnight. The road to Suzuki teaching was also begun that day, the desire to share Dr Suzuki’s dream for children and the world, by developing beautiful character through music, took hold. 

Next time you’re in class see if you can spot in the twinkle in her eye or the infectiously catchy tune that takes hold of the room - Suzuki’s teachings coming through every note, every beat, every heart.

Ester BALASCH

Lead Teacher - Lane Cove

Ester’s first experience with Suzuki music was as a 12 year old pianist when she started accompanying for a Suzuki cello studio in Spain. She was impressed not only by the standard of the students, but the teacher herself who treated all students with great respect while sharing her deep commitment to music and technical mastery.  Seeing this teacher work planted the seed of curiosity about this new method where children learnt to love music while working hard, gaining real ability and having fun.

After graduating with a Bachelor in Piano performance from Escola Superior de Musica de Catalunya in Barcelona, Ester worked as a performer, chamber musician and accompanist. When she moved to Sydney in 2008 she began her training as a Suzuki piano teacher. In 2009 she was introduced to The Music Garden and the world of Suzuki Early Childhood Education. She attended a Suzuki ECE training with Dorothy Jones and has a developed a deep passion for the work. 

Ester is widely recognised for the quality of her teaching and is regularly invited to teach at Suzuki workshops and festivals. 

 “Before this I would have never thought of myself teaching music classes to babies and toddlers. What seemed a coincidence has completely changed my life. The joy of doing these classes has become a part of my life I can't live without, just the same as music. I want the children around me to be able to appreciate music as a beautiful, soothing, passionate art and make it part of their lives too.”

Carolina CUENCA CARDOZO

Lead Teacher - Annandale

Originally from Colombia, South America, Carolina grew up immersed in a musical environment, and has spent her life learning, playing and connecting with people around the world through music.

In Colombia, Carolina was a teacher of the BATUTA foundation of the Presidency of Colombia, which aims teach music to all children, especially children at risk, and received the Colombian Minister of Culture award. She was also part of the chamber group Camerata Alferez Real, that gave her the experience of playing music with love, responsibility and a vision for the world. and learned that music can a tool to create wellbeing. From this, Carolina created a cycle of concerts called ‘Meditation In Sound’, which she performed at local libraries, nurseries and children hospitals.

After moving to Sydney in 2009, Carolina has continued her music work for charities and community centres by creating music programs for families, children and babies around Sydney. An ever curious and life-long learner, Carolina also has a BSc in biology along with a BA in Music pedagogy many other qualifications. Convinced and passionate about the benefits of music for babies and toddlers, she started the Suzuki Early Childhood Music training in 2020, and we are thrilled to have her wealth of experience and creative spirit at The Music Garden!

Jessica XU

Lead Teacher Annandale/Newtown

Jessica started learning flute with the Suzuki music approach at age 7 fortuitously through her school’s music program. A dedication and love of music grew throughout her education, with her high school performances nominated for ENCORE at the Sydney Opera House. Jessica was consistently drawn by the social and emotional resonances within music as she played in Sydney Youth Orchestras and Tango Oz, and began to teach Suzuki flute.

 Jessica continued her Suzuki training while completing her Bachelor of Communications in Social and Political Sciences. After travelling to Matsumoto, Japan in 2013 for the Suzuki World Convention, she began teaching at Music Garden in 2015 and realised her affection for working with families during early childhood. The joy of seeing young children play and learn sparked her curiosity about how the Suzuki approach works from birth. This moved her to start the Suzuki Early Childhood Music training course in 2018.

 A childhood full of music ranging from Bach to Boney M, combined with the playful, sensitive and humanitarian Suzuki principles of education, has strengthened Jessica’s belief that music can help manifest each person’s potential with empathy and integrity. She strives to build these opportunities in her work with children.

“What started off as a fun after-school activity has become an integral part of my life. Music has been core to so many of my experiences and given me an ongoing sense of self-growth, fulfilment, and connection. I feel so lucky to share this with families and children in their first years. I hope that learning and teaching music can support children to live their dreams and help build this possibility for all.”