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Introducing our stellar line up of tutors for Turra 2026. On top of more than 20 workshops over the weekend, there are always lots of opportunities to hang out, swap stories and share music with old and new friends.
Welcome to Country - Barry Gilson
We are honoured to have a welcome from the one and only Barry Gilson to commence Turramurra 2026. If you’ve witnessed Barry’s powerful voice and spirit, you know this will be a special one. Barry has joined us every year since our move to beautiful Wadawurrung country.
Ensemble - Aryo Hall
Aryo is a renowned musician, educator, performer, composer and ensemble leader. He has performed on trombone, trumpet and vocals with a wide variety of bands both internationally and at festivals across Australia and composed and recorded for film. His repertoire ranges from Indonesian gamelan to brass fusion (The Seducaphones - Wow!) with Eastern European in between. We are thrilled that Aryo is coming to work his magic with the Turra Ensemble in 2026.
Ukulele - Bruce Watson
A favourite of the folk scene, in addition to performing his vast catalogue of songs honouring both the noble and ignoble from the Australian story, Bruce has also established himself as a highly regarded ukulele leader, running popular workshops at festivals and camps. His community group ‘Ukelear Power’ won a Golden Ukulele Award in 2025! Come along, be inspired , empowered and have some good clean Ukelear fun.
Beginner Fiddle - Pria Schwall-Kearney
Born of expat Canadians who played fiddle music to wake up the household each morning, Pria started playing the fiddle as a teen and has been a key member of the Melbourne Scottish since. She lived in Montreal for a year where she absorbed as much Quebecois music as possible and has also studied Appalachian music. She has played in festivals, dancehalls, living rooms, kitchens, for weddings, birthdays, funerals and other cultural events, solo and with bands String Theory and Chinook amongst others.
Intermediate Fiddle - Pepita (Pepi) Emmerichs
Pepi is a classically trained musician who developed a passion for contemporary fiddle music through the study of Jazz, Pop, Bluegrass and Oldtime, and burst onto the stage as half of the much loved Melbourne based Oh Pep! She currently resides in Scotland, where she performs, writes and records with her duo Rain Of Animals and country outfit Good Guy Hank. Also a stunning mandolin player, Pepi can be seen playing with icons such as Luke Plumb and Fanny Lumsden. She also loves to ride her bicycle, jump into natural bodies of water and draw.
Beginner Guitar and Session Circle - Justin Vilchez
Justin Vilchez is an Australian mandolinist, guitarist and songwriter known for his dynamic playing and distinctive voice within bluegrass music. Whether on stage, in the studio, or through his original songs, Justin continues to carve out his place in the global bluegrass community honouring tradition while creating something uniquely his own. Based in Melbourne, Justin performs as a core member of The High Street Drifters and is an in-demand session musician and educator. He also runs a monthly bluegrass session inviting players of all levels. Justin will bring his teaching and coaxing skills to the Beginner Guitar workshop and the Turramurra Session Circle.
Intermediate guitar - Stella Anning
Building on her jazz roots, resident guitarist and composer with the Jazzlab Orchestra, Stella Anning expands her musical horizons by weaving in singer/songwriter sensibilities. A captivating blend of jazz, soul, and folk influences, embodying the rich diversity of Naarm/Melbourne's vibrant artistic community. With heartfelt, emotive storytelling and engaging soundscapes.
Balkan Dance - Alister Price
Alister Price (aka Merak Machine) performs around Australia with a range of musicians in various Balkan genres. He has studied in Bulgaria, has performed at Womad NZ with Taraf de Caliu, and worked with Xenos, Silvia Entcheva, the award-winning Super Rats, and numerous Greek and Balkan bands in Canberra and Melbourne. Supported by master percussionist Rosco Heck (Opa, Estudianta of Melbourne, The Seduceaphones, Kismet Project) Alister will teach a range of accessible dances set to vibrant Balkan music.
Singing - John Flanagan
Melbourne singer/songwriter John Flanagan is known for his authentic stage presence, heartfelt storytelling and uplifting performances. He has toured extensively, released 4 albums and fronted a variety of band line ups from bluegrass trio to 70s inspired blues/soul band. In 2025 he lead the Festival Choir at the National Folk Festival in Canberra and he currently runs 2 community choirs in Melbourne.
Music for Preschoolers - Teneha Greco & Katie Hull-Brown
Teneha is a music educator, vocalist, and passionate advocate for early years music education; specialising in teaching music to young children and empowering educators to confidently bring music into their early years settings. Katie is a seasoned educational leader and doctoral candidate at La Trobe University, with over 25 years of experience in music education across early childhood, primary, and tertiary settings. Their workshop will involve dynamic group games and joyful music-making experiences that encourage creativity, connection, and fun. Perfect for families looking to bond through the magic of music. No prior experience necessary—just a love of fun and sound!
Katie will also lead a discussion for teachers about using the models of learning and sharing used at Turramurra in the school classroom. It will help teachers build networks and contribute to their professional learning portfolio.
Whistle and flute - Allan Evans
Allan’s teenage years saw him progress from tin whistle to Irish flute and harp . He now performs with award-winning bands Tolka and Trioc and has travelled around Australia and internationally with his music. This year at Turra Allan will be teaching a selection of Irish tunes, catering to flutes and whistles of all experience levels. Whistle players, please bring a whistle in the key of D!
Art - Jacqui Stockdale
Highly regarded Australian visual artist and arts educator, Jacqui is renowned for her humorous, magical and symbolic images that include photography, figurative painting, drawings, collages and performance . Steeped in carnivalesque theatricality, her work explores the human condition through masquerade, mortality, Australian folklore and ritual in society. Come create and explore.
Punk Ensemble - Riot Baby
Riot Baby is an intergenerational punk band from Naarm made up of kids and their parents. They make fast and loud music about navigating late-stage capitalism, pandemics, disasters, bullies, and big feelings. Riot Baby play sticky carpet pubs, major festivals and everywhere in between. Learn to play two songs by Naarm-based punk bands, and have a crack at writing your very own punk song. All kinds of feelings deserve a place in music. All instruments (including vocals), all levels, and all music tastes are welcome.
For newcomers to the Turramurra community a copy of the program from the 2025 camp is available here.
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