JMI Jazz Clinics

Paula Girvan

MMusSt(QCGU), BMus(QCGU), AdvDipMus(JMI), AssDipMus(QCGU)
Head of School, Piano, Jazz Materials, Aural & Analysis, Concert Performance Practice

Paula Girvan is a highly acclaimed and versatile pianist with many years of experience as a performer and educator. She performs in various musical formats with renowned artists from Australia and around the world.

Paula is Head of School and senior lecturer at JMI (Jazz Music Institute), where she is widely recognized as a leading voice in jazz education.

Paula’s impressive performance credentials includes touring nationally with award-winning blues rock band, Blues Arcadia. She has also performed with The Drifters, Normie Rowe, Little Pattie, Denise Drysdale, Emma Pask, Jazz at Lincoln Centre artists – Vince Gardner, Sherman Irby, Jerome Jennings, and Belinda Munro- Gardner; Vivian Sessoms, Roger Manins, Kristin Berardi, Michelle Nicolle, Trichotomy, Qld Music Awards, AWMAS (Australian Women in Music Awards).

Paula’s sophisticated musical style, technical prowess, and unwavering dedication to music have earned her a reputation as a sought-after performing artist. Her exceptional musical direction and contributions to various projects and productions have further cemented her status as a respected and accomplished musician and director in the music industry.

Josh Hatcher

MMus, BMus(QUT)
Woodwinds, Improvisation Techniques, Ensemble

Joshua Hatcher is a Brisbane-based saxophonist, composer and music educator. He was a finalist in the 2016 National Jazz Awards (saxophone) at Wangaratta, and 2 selections from his album “Now and Then” were finalists in the 2016 QMusic Awards Jazz Category.

His big band compositions and arrangements were recorded by the Enthusiastic Musicians’ Orchestra on “One for B” (2011) and “Long Way Home” (2014) and he was the 2016 Composer-in-Residence for the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra. In 2018 he completed his Master of Music Research in composition at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music.

He has lectured in a range of subjects at Jazz Music Institute since 2012 including Saxophone, Improvisation, Theory and Ensemble Skills, and is the current musical director of the JMI Jazz Orchestra. He is a regular rhythm section coach for QYO Big Band and MOST, and gives regular high school workshops in improvisation, rhythm section playing, and big band performance.

Travis Jenkins

BMus(JP)
Jazz Composition, Ensemble, Guitar, Jazz Materials

Trav has been studying and playing the guitar for over 25 years. He is a prolific composer and multi-instrumentalist, having written and arranged music for a variety of circumstances including film music, video game soundtracks, small and large string ensembles, big band, and choir.

Trav is in high demand as a session musician and arranger, and has played in various contemporary outfits at major music festivals around the country, such as the “Brisbane International Jazz Festival”, “Broadbeach Jazz Festival”, “Melbourne Jazz Festival”, “Woodford Folk Festival” and “Big Day Out”. Travis has also played alongside reputable Australian Jazz musicians such as James Morrison, John Morrison, Craig Scott, and Jonathon Zwartz.

Graduating in 2013 from the Jazz Music Institute with a Bachelor of Music (BMus), Trav studied guitar under both Bruce Woodward and Ben Hauptmann, achieving academic awards in all 3 years and in 2015, receiving a nomination for the Freedman Jazz Fellowship. Trav worked for 5 years at the Brisbane Music Studio teaching guitar and directing an ensemble program.  Working with Caleb James at The Queensland Conservatorium, he developed a new performance component to Griffith University’s Bachelor of Popular Music program, which commenced at the Gold Coast campus until it moved to the South Bank campus where he has been running all of 1st and 2nd year contemporary ensemble classes.  Trav has been teaching at JMI for over 7 years and currently teaches guitar (Principal Study), Jazz Composition 1 and 2, Jazz Materials 3 and 4 and Ensemble.  Aside from working as a jazz guitarist in his organ trio and as a sideman, he currently performs regularly in yacht-rock outfit “Tommy Sexton & the Suggestions”,  funk review band “Golden Sound”, and world-beat/reggae outfit “Kooii”.

Andrew Shaw

BMus(JazzPerf)(JMI)
Business Studies, Ensemble, Bass, Jazz in Context

Double bassist, Andrew Shaw, has performed with many greats of the music world, from jazz to cabaret, from tango to country and western, and flamenco. Some of the artists he has performed with across the spectrum include John Scofield, Dave Liebman, James Morrison, Grace Knight, Tom Burlinson, Bill Watrous, Tony Malaby, Matt Wilson, David Ades, Dale Barlow, Mike Nock, Lyndon Terracini, Scott Tinkler, Rhonda Birchmore, Mandy Patinkin, Patti Lupone, Lady Rizo, Joaquin Amenabar, Sarah Blasko, James Ryan, Victor Morosco, The Saruzu Quartet, Flamenco Fire, Olayo Jimenez, Carla Pugliesi, and Jamie Oehlers.

Andrew is currently leading his own ensemble, Road Plant, concentrating on his original music inspired by the secret lives of earth moving equipment. He is also performing with Toby Wren Quartet, David Bentley, Caxton Street Jazz Band, Jeff Usher, Andrew Garton’s Abbreviations Orchestra and others.

Shaw has performed nationally and internationally at many major venues and festivals. He has recorded on more than 40 albums with various artists.

Charlotte Mclean

BMus(JMI), MMusSt(QCGU)
Course Coordinator, Voice, A Capella Ear Training, Aural and Analysis

Charlotte Mclean is emerging as one of Australia’s most captivating and original vocalists. Possessed of a velvety-smooth voice, she produces her own addictive style and her original tunes have garnered critical and popular acclaim. Charlotte’s exemplary skills as an improviser allow her to put a fresh spin on classic jazz repertoire, and she sings with honesty, strength and a unique combination of contemporary musical influences.

Having had a passion for music and performance from a young age, Charlotte released her second originals album “Magnolia” in June 2020, which was met with great praise. She was thrilled to be named a finalist in the prestigious Queensland Music Awards (Jazz Category) for her original music in 2021. In 2023, Charlotte released her third originals album “Spinning wheels and sideshows,” along with a trio jazz album titled “I know why and so do you” and a live album titled ‘Live at the Jazz Club’. Her impressive body of work led to her being nominated for the esteemed Freedman Fellowship Jazz Award in the same year.

Charlotte is a two-time graduate, having received a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music (Majoring in Vocal Pedagogy) with an award for academic excellence. In 2022 she presented her paper “An analysis of tertiary teaching approaches: Modifying curriculum to prepare vocalists for a professional career in Jazz Music.” Currently serving as the course coordinator at the Jazz Music Institute, Charlotte also continues to hone her skills as a tertiary lecturer in voice, Aural & Analysis, academic research units and AET. She continues to push musical boundaries and captivate audiences with her unique vocals and infectious tunes.

Sam Castan

I first picked up a pair of sticks at the age of 7, and I’ve been hooked ever since. That early spark led me to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Performance, and since graduating, I’ve built a career that combines both education and professional performance—two passions that feed into and enrich each other.

With over 10 years of teaching experience in both private and institutional settings, I pride myself on creating engaging, tailored lessons for every student. I’ve taught at top music schools such as the Independent Music Academy, Australian Academy of Music, Downtown Creative Studios, and B Sharpe Music, as well as in school settings like Groves Christian College, Brigidine College, and St Rita’s Catholic Primary.

I work with students ranging from young beginners to adult learners, offering a supportive environment where individual goals, learning styles, and musical tastes are always respected. Whether your goal is to play in a band, pass an exam, join a school ensemble, improve technique, or simply have fun, I’ll help you get there with personalised guidance and a clear roadmap.

I also have extensive experience teaching Drumline ensembles, group classes, and working in classroom settings—skills that come in handy when helping students prepare for school performances, AMEB or Trinity exams, or collaborative projects.

Dan Quigley

Dan Quigley is an Australian Jazz Trumpet player based in Brisbane. Dan started playing the trumpet at the age of 8 and grew up in a musical family environment playing in Brass Bands, Concert bands, Orchestra’s and Big Bands. During his school years Dan played in the Australian National Youth Band and Queensland Youth Wind Ensemble. Since his early 20’s Dan has had a passion in performing, education and advocacy for Jazz.

Dan’s has been a professional musician for over 2 decades. He has performed with some of the world’s best musicians including The Australian National Jazz Orchestra, James Morrison, Vincent Gardner, Jerome Jennings, Rodney Whitaker, Mike Nock, Dale Barlow, Judy Bailey, Craig Scott, Steve Brien, Col Loughnan, Jamie Oehlers, Yothu Yindi, Grace Knight, David Campbell, Tim Rogers amongst many more.