Dr Anna Mlynek-Kalman Ph.D, M. Mus., M.Mus. Ed., B. Ed., Dip. Teach., A.Mus. A. (flute)

Anna has taught and directed music programs with children from K-year 12 for more than 40 years at a variety of schools both here in Australia and abroad. She founded Music Works Magic having completed her master’s degree in Music Education with a Kodaly emphasis in the United States in 1996. She tutored aural musicianship at Melbourne University for five years.  Recognising the need for organic music programs that begin with parents and neonates, she launched an education and resource centre, offering classes for children. She designs training courses for adults working with children and continues to offer courses and ongoing mentorship to teachers, teacher trainees and students. She creates professional learning and development sessions, presenting new and stimulating repertoire and teaching ideas. She has presented lectures, papers, posters and workshops at conferences, universities, schools and preschools to teachers, teacher trainees and students. Anna continues to lead the Music Works Magic team who run classes at our studios, in preschools and early learning centres. She is passionate about capturing the students love of music and within the group environment she creates magical ensembles allowing children to share their music and create beautiful harmonies. Her students learn to perform together and support one another. Anna currently lectures at Deakin University Melbourne, as part of the performing Arts team, training teachers in early childhood music. She was a recipient of the 2024 prize for innovation in music education, bestowed by the Kodaly Music Education Association of Australia.

Anna teaches Pre-Instrumental Classes, Toot Suite Recorder Ensembles, Uke’N Play Ensembles and directs the Magic Voices Children’s Choir.

Laura Uhe B.A from the A.N.U. & Dip ED English, ESL & Drama from La Trobe University

Laura has been involved in dance, theatre and music for most of her life! Studying classical ballet from the age of 4, she began performing children’s roles with the Perth City Ballet Company from the age of 8 and toured with a youth Ballet company at the age of 14 to the Aberdeen International Festival of the Arts and to Vienna and the UK. Laura worked reading plays on the ABC radio series for children ”Lets Join In” and has been involved in many theatre productions and plays. She has also studied AMEB Piano to 7th grade.

During the course of her university studies she took courses in ethnomusicology and was an active member of the university choir. She continued to study dance , focusing on Flamenco and Spanish Dance and has been a professional flamenco performer for the last 20 years. During the course of her career she has conducted hundreds of workshop and her performances include in the Melbourne Festival of the Arts. The Apollo Bay and the Port Fairy Music Festival, Arts Centre Latin Concert Series and the Brunswick Music Festival. She choreographed a flamenco piece for Chunky Move’s production ‘Wanted’ and conducted the successful series of Dancing in the Streets for the Melbourne Festival of the Arts in 2006. Most recently she has performed with the Australian Opera in Bizet’s Carmen both in Melbourne and in Taiwan.

After participating in Music Works Magic classes with her own 2 children for many years, and having run her own dance studio teaching children and adults, Laura trained as a Music Works Magic teacher in 2003 and has been a much loved member of the Music Works Magic teaching team ever since. She is passionate about teaching and loves sharing her joy of music, make believe and movement with all the children at Music Works Magic!

Laura teaches Pre-Instrumental Classes at our Elsternwick studio and in ELC centres.

Yingying Pan Ph.D,

Yingying is a highly accomplished and  passionate music educator, blending world-class academic expertise with proven performance skills. She specialises in classical piano, Orff Schulwerk pedagogy, and early childhood music education, offering a unique teaching approach informed by the latest research in how music supports development.

As a classically trained pianist, Yingying brings significant performance experience to her teaching. She is a prize-winner of international competitions, including First Prize in the Hong Kong International Piano Invitational Competitions, and has recorded a graduate recital album. This strong performance foundation ensures her students receive technically proficient and artistically informed guidance.

Yingying holds a PhD in Early Childhood Music Education from The Education University of Hong Kong and a Master’s in Music Education (Piano Major) from Columbia University. With extensive teaching experience across studios, kindergartens, and colleges in China, Hong Kong SAR, and the US, her teaching focuses on creating engaging and developmentally appropriate lessons for students of all ages and levels—from young beginners to advanced students preparing for exams and performances. Yingying is committed to tailoring music learning to each individual’s needs, aiming to inspire both a lifelong love and a meaningful understanding of music.

Yingying teaches Pre-Instrumental Classes in ELC centres.