QMTA Townsville and District Branch Inc organises several events for members and students throughout the year.
Mark Hooper, piano & Warwick Adeney, violin
Professional Development for Instrumental Teachers and Masterclasses for students
When: Saturday, 6 June and Sunday, 7 June 2026
Where: Townsville Grammar School Music Centre, Paxton St., North Ward
SATURDAY, 6 JUNE 2026
8:30am — Registration
9:00am – 10:30am “The Psychology of Teaching” —
Mark Hooper
Psychology is the hidden backbone behind every interaction we have.
The unconscious mind is far more powerful than our conscious one.
Understand these things and live a life more of your choice.
☕ Morning Tea
11:00am – 12:30pm Concurrent Masterclasses
Students of all exam levels are invited to learn from the masters, either as active participants or observers. Instrumental teachers and parents will gain invaluable insight into nurturing and supporting aspiring students.
🍽 Lunch
1:30pm – 3:00pm “Teaching from a Player’s Point of View” — Warwick Adeney
Drawing on a lifetime as a professional orchestral violinist, Warwick shares perspectives on developing young musicians — from lessons and examinations to performance and ensemble skills.
SUNDAY, 7 JUNE 2026
8:30am — Registration
9:00am – 10:30am “Make the Most of Your Exercises” — Mark Hooper
Basic and advanced finger exercises transformed into tools for aural training, music analysis, and musical imagination — practical, creative, and fun.
☕ Morning Tea
11:00am – 12:30pm Concurrent Masterclasses
Students, teachers, and parents are welcome to participate or observe.
🍽 Lunch
1:30pm – 3:00pm Q&A Session —
Mark Hooper & Warwick Adeney
Audience members are encouraged to submit questions before or during the session. Topics may include performance, teaching, examinations, orchestral life, and concert experience.
Fees
Masterclass
Participant Grade 1-4 $30
Participant Grade 5 and above $40
Teacher observers $25
Student observers (and parents of participants) $10
Workshop Sessions
QMTA-members $35
Non-members $45
Students $25
Saturday Evening Concert
Adult $40
Student $20
Lunch Sat / Sun $15each
Discount – Save up to $70!!
- Book the whole weekend (including all sessions, concert and lunches) - $190 members / $230 non-members
- Book the whole Saturday (including lunch and concert) - $120 members / $140 non-members
- Book the whole Sunday (including lunch) - $90 members / $110 non-members
Meet our Guest tutors
Warwick Adeney was born into a remarkable family of violinists and trained at the Queensland Conservatorium with Dr Anthony Doheny. He graduated with the prestigious Gold Medal in 1984 and rose to be concertmaster from 1989 of the Queensland Theatre Orchestra under Georg Tintner.
Warwick went on to enjoy an extraordinary orchestral career spanning four decades, performing under internationally renowned conductors including Sir Neville Marriner, Michael Christie, Johannes Fritzsch, and Alondra de la Parra.
Over his many years in QSO Warwick experienced the privileged life of the orchestra, relishing the variety of musical challenges from schools shows to opera and ballet and premier symphony concerts.
Early in 2024 Warwick retired from the orchestra. He is now busy teaching and playing in and around Brisbane.
Married to Michele, a fellow musician, Warwick Adeney is blessed with a large family, all of whom have learned a variety of instruments, and they sing chant at a weekly traditional Latin Mass together.
The violin Warwick plays is a Venetian instrument from the early 18th century, probably by Carlo Antonio Testore.
Mark Hooper is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium and London’s Royal College of Music and has enjoyed an international career as performer and teacher across Australia, England, and Canada. During more than three decades abroad, he taught piano at Oxford University, presented teacher training courses, and worked with musicians including Mitsuko Uchida, Yehudi Menuhin, and Peter Wallfisch.
Mark has performed extensively throughout Europe and Australia, recorded five solo CDs, and inspired students of all ages — from beginners to emerging professionals. As well as his work as a classical pianist, Mark trained as a psychotherapist in London and went onto establish and coordinate the Oxford Men’s Counselling Services, which continues to offer low-cost therapy to men.
Since returning to Brisbane in 2012, he has become widely respected for his thoughtful, encouraging, and deeply musical approach to piano teaching.
Student Concerts
QMTA organises one student recital per school term:
Term 1: Sunday, 29 March 2026
Term 2: Saturday, 13 June 2026. Register here.
Term 3: TBA
Term 4: TBA
Workshops / Masterclasses
More Professional Development sessions for teachers and Masterclasses for students are planned for 2026. Details coming soon.