Teaching & harp lessons

I offer harp private lessons for all levels - from beginners to advanced students - at my home-studio in Toorak.

I have been playing the harp for over 20 years and have received extensive training in harp, theory & aural, and pedagogy in Europe. I build my plans for students based on these experiences and try to customise my teaching for each student individually, whilst ensuring a consistent progression.

Lessons can be conducted in a way to prepare you for AMEB Harp and Theory exams, the ABRSM and Trinity exams or just for the fun and enjoyment of learning.

My students have gone on to win competitions and scholarships, and be successful in auditions for youth orchestras such as Australian Youth Orchestras and Queensland Youth Orchestras. They have also performed as part of State Honours Ensemble Programs (SHEPs).

When learning an instrument, particularly for children or beginners, it is vital to also learn and improve your theory and aural skills. Often, too much emphasis is placed on learning the instrument, and little attention is given to understanding how the music is constructed, or the historical context of the music.

If you would like to arrange a lesson, please feel free to write or call me on my contacts page here.

Prices for harp lessons are as follows:

• 30-minutes: $60

• 45-minutes: $90

• 60-minutes: $120

Student stories & experiences

*Jenni-adult student

“We need teachers like Tijana who are able and willing to employ a “student focused” teaching approach rather than a one size fits all. This requires a through understanding of the instrument, the difference in students learning styles, physical characteristics such as hand size and the constant need to be creative in the way something can be tackled. I know from experience with a sizeable number of teachers, including piano, flute and musicianship, that not all teachers have this level of teaching awareness. Underpinning all this is a 'passion' for the harp and a belief in the student's ability to reach their potential without preconceived limitations. Such teachers inspire their students. “

After performing for friends, Jenni also wrote to me: “I am so pleased with myself. I did very well. I really believe my lessons with you have made a massive difference to me. Thank you so much for the techniques you’ve shared with me, making playing easier and more enjoyable”

*Andie-Rose-school age student:

Take a look at the video Andie-Rose and I did for Juiced TV - Made by kids in hospital, for kids in hospital:

(we appear at around 14:05):

*Myiesha - high-school student

“Tijana is a wonderful teacher with a wealth of experience in harp performance and pedagogy. This shines through in every lesson, when she gives me helpful tips and tricks to improve my technique. Her immense musicality is inspiring and she knows exactly how to harness the beauty of the harp. Recently, with Tijana’s guidance I was able to achieve an A+ on my AMEB grade 6 exam, which was my first harp exam. It had been postponed by a couple of months due to the coronavirus situation, and in this time Tijana showed me what it truly means to be a musician. Anyone can play the notes, but she helped me extend myself and engage with the subtleties in expression that really bring the music to life. Tijana’s kind nature and remarkable teaching style has helped me so much in my harp journey.”

* Rachel - adult student

“Tijana has been teaching me harp since January 2021, both in person and remotely via video call. Having never played harp before, Tijana's expertise and professional teaching style has inspired a passion for harp, as well as resulted in me achieving strong marks in AMEB exams. Our lessons are organised, structured and fun; Tijana is highly knowledgeable, kind and encouraging - all of which has motivated me to continue playing. Teachers like Tijana are very rare to find and I'd recommend her to anyone wanting to learn harp. Thanks Tijana!”

*Jeremy - adult student

Harp lessons are very hard to find even in a big city like Melbourne. I can't recommend Tijana enough as a harp teacher - she is super patient, encouraging and gentle. She's also quite obviously an extremely accomplished musician with a resume of performances and positions in renowned orchestras that's probably pages and pages long.

I personally do private lessons at Tijana's home and as someone without a car, it's very easily accessible by public transport. I started as an adult learner and thought that it would take ages to pick up the harp, but Tijana has made it a lot less daunting than it seems.

Although lessons are a bit on the expensive side, I really think they are worth it because I've learned much more quickly than I have on other instruments. Unlike many music teachers in my experience, Tijana is also not the type of teacher who will cut your lesson off on the dot. Occasionally my lessons run a little longer (probably because I was late or we were chatting away) and she still always makes an effort to accommodate even with her busy schedule. 😊

*Narelle - adult student

I am a new beginner to the harp and chose Tijana as my teacher. I am so thrilled that I did. Apart from being amazingly accomplished herself, she is an excellent teacher. She has such in-depth experience, a wonderful personality, is patient, encouraging, knowledgeable and motivating. I can't speak of her highly enough. I have learnt and improved so much under her tuition. One thing I particularly appreciate about Tijana is that in my lessons as a beginner she placed high importance on hand position and finger placement techniques, always checking to ensure I had these correct. She took me as a 'newbie' and through structure, support and guidance has progressed me on the the highway as an enthusiastic harpist, for which I can't thank her enough.