Julie M Rokic began learning the piano accordion and piano aged five, and flute aged 10. 
On all three instruments throughout her childhood and teenaged years, Julie relentlessly excelled in pedagogical Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) and Trinity College London examinations, simultaneously winning innumerable sections in annual Central / North Queensland Eisteddfods from the ages of six – 17 (twice awarded Mackay Eisteddfod Grand Pianoforte Champion – an aggregate award.) These achievements brought Julie to the attention of Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (Mackay Campus), where she was inducted into the Program for Musically-Gifted School Students, going on to be named the inaugural recipient of the Pansy Wood Memorial Piano Scholarship. Hereafter, Julie began to participate in Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Competitions, the two consecutive years she entered as a senior school student dominating nominated sections. Subsequently, Julie was awarded the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Prize for a Musically-Gifted School Student, the accolade presented to Julie at a ceremony by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent. Due to these accomplishments, Julie was nominated for / received an Outstanding Achievement Award in the Arts Section of Channel Nine’s Young Achiever Awards (Queensland.) As a result of this promising start, Julie decided to further her music education at tertiary level.
Throughout the course of seven years’ study, Julie gained three tertiary degrees: a Bachelor of Music (Flute / Piano) from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (Brisbane Campus;) and from the University of Queensland (St Lucia Campus:) a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Secondary Teaching: Classroom Music / Instrumental Music;) and a Master of Music Studies (Kodaly Pedagogy and Methodology / Conducting.) During these seven years, Julie focused conscientiously on gaining her degrees and concurrently, established parallel roles until university-qualified: Private Music Teacher (piano / flute / theory;) Flautist in a chamber music group at weddings and functions; then a part- / full-time Classroom Music Teacher / Official Piano Accompanist at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, Spring Hill (also teaching the subject Music Extension: Performance to year 12 students of All Hallows’ School, Brisbane City.)
Along with three tertiary degrees, Julie also holds three diplomas in piano performance: a Licentiate in Music, Australia (AMEB;) a Licentiate of the Trinity College London; and an Associate in Music, Australia: Pass with Distinction (AMEB.)
In Brisbane, Julie gained 12 years’ experience as a Secondary / Primary School Curriculum Music / Other Subject Teacher (English, Drama, Religious Education, Asian Studies, SOSE;) simultaneously fulfilling a host of additional roles: District Review Panel Member (Government-appointed teacher who monitors / verifies school subject standards – three schools’ representative;) Extra-Curricular Music and Drama Coordinator (one school;) Piano Accompanist (three schools;) and Conductor (one school.) Throughout these years, Julie worked at St Joseph’s College (Gregory Terrace, Spring Hill), Kedron State High School (Kedron) and Lourdes Hill College (Hawthorne.)
Via a two-year hiatus in Europe, Julie acquired 18 months’ contrasting experience via three roles in multiple- lingual / racial London schools: six months as a Primary / Secondary Relief Teacher (numerous premises;) and 12 months in the early years’ phase: eight months as a Reception / [Prep] Teacher (Gayhurst Primary School, Hackney;) and four months as a Nursery / [Kindergarten] Teacher (Tyssen Primary School, Stoke Newington.) Julie’s early years’ London experience not only conveyed valuable realisations in this critical education phase but piqued her interest in further study: an Australian Kodaly Certificate (Early Childhood Level One: Zero – Three Years;) and a Certificate III in Children’s Services (Nanny qualification), the latter providing seven months’ hands-on experience in a childcare centre both observing / working with infants (six weeks onward) and toddlers.
From late 2009 – mid-2014, Julie worked across four roles in the highly regarded inner city Brisbane primary school, St Columba’s (Wilston:) Curriculum Music Teacher (grades three – seven;) Piano Program Coordinator (80 students engaged, 75 on the waiting list;) Piano and Theory Teacher (30 – 35 pupils per week;) and Piano Accompanist (Senior Choir.) During Julie’s time at St Columba’s Primary School, she came to be known for not only her expertise and experience but professionalism and adaptability.
After almost 20 years spent in schools as a Secondary / Primary / Early Years’ Teacher exploring all manner of curriculum / co-curricular / extra-curricular contexts, Julie decided it was time the invaluable knowledge and experience gained in school settings be shared in the community and used to pursue other professional / personal objectives: her private teaching practice, musicianship opportunities and volunteer work (most notably with the RSPCA, alongside the 2011 Brisbane, Queensland Floods.)
In January 2015, Julie established her eponymous business, ‘J M Rokic: Private Music Teacher and Musician’ – a continually thriving entity that since inception, has proceeded to grow and develop year upon year.
As an extensively experienced Private Music Teacher (school classroom / instrumental background), Julie operates a one-on-one studio and offers Piano Tuition, Theory Tuition and Secondary School Curriculum Music Tutoring. As a Classically-trained, highly accomplished Musician (Pianist with perfect pitch), Julie works as a Piano Accompanist and Solo Event Pianist.
Julie is a reliable, practical, patient and accommodating person, and is committed to supporting and guiding all members of the community.
Summary of Qualifications
Tertiary: M.Mus.St., P.G.Dip.Ed., B.Mus.
Piano Performance: L.Mus.A., LTCL, A.Mus.A. (Dist.)
Independent: A.K.C: E.C. (L1), Cert. III Ch. Serv.
Private Music Teacher and Musician 