Grace James

Grace James is an Orchestral Percussionist that has been performing and training for almost 10 years, participating in multiple orchestras and ensembles such as the Victorian Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Geelong Symphony Orchestra. She has participated in the Victorian State School Spectacular as the Percussion Section Leader for three years, and further went on to assist as Percussion Tutor. In late 2022, she also performed with the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet Orchestra for their performance of The Nutcracker.

Grace has always taken up opportunities to perform, including being the Principal Percussionist of the Monash Academy Orchestra, performing at the Women In Percussion Festival (2022), and also receiving the Yamaha Australian Percussion Prize (2022), for which she also gained an honorary mention for her solo performance of Falling Embers.

Studying a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education at Monash University, Grace has had the opportunity to teach percussion at McKinnon Secondary College, and continues to offer her assistance to the school’s music programme. On top of her studying, Grace actively participates in her band, ‘Chloe James & The Midnight Band’, performing on the drums for gigs all over Melbourne.

Grace teaches Drums and Xylophone

Justin Zheng

Known in the business for his superhuman ability to sightread, Justin is an up-and-coming percussionist currently making his mark upon the national music scene. A trailblazer in the Australian percussion sphere, he was the first percussionist across the whole of Australia to complete their LMusA.

Receiving 2nd place in the MSO Snare Drum Award 2021, Justin has continued to establish himself in both the orchestral world – most recently having the honour of playing the Berlioz Bells in the UoM Symphony Orchestra’s performance of ‘Symphonie Fantastique’ in Hamer Hall – and more recently in the chamber ensemble New Music realm as a member of WHACKollective.

 In school he completed his AMEB exams, as well as competing in the Australian Percussion Eisteddfod, MSO Snare Competition, and the QSO Young Instrumentalist Competition.

He has successfully completed his Undergrad and Honours degree at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and is in search of new challenges which will excel his talents even more. His favourite instrument is drum kit and his favourite genre is contemporary!

Justin teaches Drums