What our students say

At 25 years of age, I heard piano being played live near my workplace. I was captivated and in love — in love with the idea of maybe, if I tried really hard, I could someday play piano that well. I began learning the piano with Dean a month later and have never looked back. Six months later I was playing a beautiful Bach minuet that I would have never dreamed I’d be able to play. The feeling I get from playing a beautiful piece of music is unexplainable — pure joy! I completed my first theory exam and received a high distinction. I’m hooked. Thanks Dean, for believing I could do it, before I believed I could. Thank you for your patience and guidance.

Terry and Karina have been studying music under the guidance of Dean Moore over the past 15 years. The dedication and enthusiasm he has shown has encouraged and driven them to succeed at learning in a fun and friendly environment. They have developed into talented musicians who still study music, play in bands and perform at a variety of functions. Dean has nurtured and deepened their love of music into a lifelong passion. I encourage any budding musician — young or old — to study with Top Acts.

Dean’s ability to instill the necessary skills in his pupils in a fun, individually tailored way helped both our sons enjoy many years of happy music making from 1996–2008. Marty gained an A+ in AMEB Grade Seven. He was awarded Dux of Solo Piano and Group Performance at Blackburn High School, and has a scholarship studying Improvisation at the Victorian College of the Arts, as well as garnering praise as a performer. As well as his extensive knowledge of repertoire, Dean’s warm, caring nature makes him a great role model for his students.

Dean Moore has been my piano teacher for 6 years now, and continues to be a fantastic mentor in the field of music. Dean is extremely flexible in his ability to mould his teaching style to facilitate my interest in jazz and blues piano, whilst his enthusiasm motivates me to practice, understand and progress through my passion. Dean is a great instructor and personal friend, and is highly recommended to anyone who is considering learning the artistry of playing the piano.

Dean Moore taught piano to my son Tully from when he was a kid in grade 1 through to year 12 VCE music performance. We couldn’t have wished for a more committed and engaging teacher to take Tully on that journey. Dean was terrific at relating to the younger kids and was always looking for ways for his young musicians to perform in public, or via the several CDs he made in his studio. I was particularly impressed with the way he encouraged Tully to keep up with classical piano before he decided to branch off into jazz in year 12. After his VCE music performance, Tully was one of two pianists invited to play in the VCE Top Acts at the Iwaki Auditorium.

Our sons have been learning from Dean for the past couple of years. As a result, both have been able to be involved in bands and both have maintained a love of learning music. Dean has provided playing opportunities and helped them to perform without anxiety. Dean is an inspired and passionate teacher, with a good sense of humour. His love of music comes through. My sons speak highly of him and their time together.

We have been so pleased with the musical progress our children have made with Dean. With patience, guidance and genuine passion for music, Dean has passed on his enthusiasm for both piano and guitar to our boys, which makes them want to learn. They always look forward to their lessons and they are always eager for their next one!

Dean has been teaching my son piano since grade 1. I am impressed by his patience, persistence and ability to make learning fun. He has a wonderfully natural connection with all of his students, which shows in the school band. He inspires enjoyment and understanding of music, while always pitching the learning at a challenging but achievable level.

My son and daughter are both piano students of Dean Moore at Ferny Creek Primary School. My 11-year-old son has been a student for over 4 years and my 6-year-old daughter is in her first year of piano. Both children very much respect Dean as a teacher, love their piano studies and have flourished under his tutelage. Charlie has achieved Honours in 2 AMEB exams and is a member of the school rock band overseen by Dean, whilst Bridget is also accelerating through her piano studies. Both have gained great social and academic confidence from their music. Dean has a great ability to deal with his students on their level — a style that encourages both enjoyment and attention to learning.

I started learning from the Dean-ster around eight years ago, when I was in grade four in primary school. I studied piano for about three years with a bit of guitar mixed in there. I left piano and went on to playing bass guitar for about seven years and am now back onto piano. Dean also started a rock/jazz band called Highly Flammable, which lasted for about four years until everyone got bogged down with homework and getting ready for VCE. As of right now I’m in my second year at Box Hill TAFE learning music composition (e.g. music for film and/or games). I would probably still be trying to figure out what I want to do with my life without Dean’s teaching, support and feedback.

Dean has been my piano tutor for close to nine years now. He has not only been an outstanding teacher during this time, but he has given me inspiration to succeed far beyond my own self-beliefs. As an adult now and high school teacher I can see that Dean possesses excellent teaching qualities. His compassion and kind nature enables him to build a strong rapport with his students, which consequently allows him to be a fantastic motivator and positive role model for young people. I would highly recommend Dean to anyone interested in learning the piano.

I was nervous about taking up an instrument in my early 30s, and was at first reluctant to even try. But on a recommendation from a friend I took the plunge and called Dean at Top Acts. I’m now 6 months in and I couldn’t be happier! I’ve always loved the piano but never thought it was something I would be able to play. But Dean has really given me the confidence that I’ll continue to get better and better.

In my younger years, I’d had extensive training on the organ to the point that I was quite proficient. But having not played since my mid teens, my passion for music had been replaced with the rigours of a career. Wanting to find that again, I was recommended to Dean from Top Acts. I’ve been completely blown away by my progress only after a few months. The learning environment is warm and gives me real freedom to explore my talents and learn. What’s best though, is my passion for music has returned, and then some.