Victorian Education Sales Specialist - Franz
(franz.wankadia@allans.com.au)
Franz' passion for music began at the age of 12 when he began learning the guitar. Throughout his youth he was involved is various school and university bands, and later played professionally in hotels and clubs both in Australia and abroad. Franz prefers his guitar lines rocky, both melodic and progressive and has been known to go the blues path incorporating a touch of jazz.

With a career that began as the head of a secondary school guitar department Franz finished University and was swept overseas to pursue an international career. Landing in the Gulf of Oman he quickly established himself as the Sales and Marketing Manager for the sole distributors of Yamaha products in that region. During this time he developed and intimate understanding of musical instruments, sound reinforcement and home theatre systems.

Franz began his journey with Allans Music in 2003 as the Keyboard/Education manager and has managed our Piano and Keyboard departments ever since. Now as Franz assumes the role of Victorian Education Sales Specialist in our newly formed team we are both excited and confident that we are providing the best there is to offer.

“I have a passion for working with schools and music educators and catering to their diverse needs, in turn supporting their music programs any way I can.”
- Franz Wankadia

Queensland Education Sales Specialist – Tina
(tina.inns@allans.com.au)
Tinas experience in the Queensland music industry extends past that of 14 years. studying Clarinet in her senior high school years she was also an active participant in various school and youth bands.

Upon completion of high school Tina joined the Australian Academy of Music as an office administrator and worked within the band and orchestral departments until it was time to partake in a life of international travel. During her time at AAM Tina realised her true passion lay in helping others navigate through their own musical journey.

Along with her return to Australia was her return to AAM and her new ventures as an Educational advisor. Tina along with her team helped shape the business into a reputable and knowledgeable place to go for musical interests. Not so long ago she decided to challenge her musical abilities by learning the saxophone and can sometimes be heard in our traditional department playing up a storm. Tina joins the Allans Education team with a solid background in Traditional Instrumentation and Printed Music, and goes out her way at every oppurtunity to meet and exceed the needs of all her customers.

"I find nothing more gratifying than thinking I have sent a possible virtuoso down the path of musical discovery..."
- Tina Inns

Queensland Education Sales Specialist - Lis
(lis.cordingley@allans.com.au)
Lis started her musical journey at the age of six playing Piano, by the age of eight her repertoire had extended to also encompass the Violin. In primary school Lis was a part of an award winning Recorder band, yes there are awards for playing the Recorder!!, and amongst other things actively continued participation in secondary school bands throughout her studies.

At age 13 Lis extended her string talents and began to learn the Cello, at this point she fell totally in love with her instrument and was driven to complete a Grade 6 qualification by the time she was in year 12. Keeping with the string influence Lis also crossed over into the Guitar realm with Jimmy Page being a heavy influence of her listening and playing tastes.

At University this already accomplished musician decided it was time to share the skills she had refined over all those years and undertook studies in secondary teaching majoring in Music and Drama. Upon completion of University Lis taught for three years at Maryborough, then for an additional year in sunny Brisbane and finally gave her teaching experience an international flavour with 12 months of teaching in London. Upon her return Lis became an integral part of the then Allans Academy, coordinating programs such as "Adult Starters" and Allans in-school teaching program.

"I may come from a classical background, but don't be fooled! A bit of Led Zepplin and the Hilltop Hoods never goes astray...!"
- Lis Cordingley

New South Wales Education Sales Specialist – Simon
(simon.cook@allans.com.au)
Simon is a professional musician and has been playing drums and guitar for over 25 years. He holds a Bachelor of Music and Associate Diploma in Jazz Studies from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and a Diploma in Audio Engineering.

Prior to joining the music retail industry in 2004, Simon taught for 12 years as an instrumental music teacher at over 20 different schools in Sydney where he also led a number of school concert bands. Alongside this, Simon has co-written a book, recorded 9 albums and performed in over 40 bands, yes that's right four-zero!!!, as well as having worked on a number of commercial projects in film and television.

Simon brings to the team an extremely diverse and detailed understanding of music and the music industry that spans three decades. His foundations in Jazz, Classical and Modern music's combined with his knowledge of Music Technology empower him as one of most experienced specialists.

“Im very happy to be part of the fabulous Education team here at Allans and I'm proud to be supporting schools in nurturing their students…”
- Simon Cook

South Australian Education Sales Specialist – Mark
(mark.hudson@allans.com.au)
Mark has been learning Guitar since the age of 9, studying Classical, Rock & Jazz styles. He took up the Tenor Sax in his early 20's & played in various R & B, Rock, Reggae & Jazz bands.

Upon completing the Grade 7 AM EB exam for Saxophone he was awarded an Honors pass. To add to this feat Mark has also managed to learn Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Drums & Violin, with himself as his teacher no less… busy man.

Marks career in Instrumental Sales began in the mid 90's working for Brash's and the then Musicorp as Showroom Manager. He then moved into the repair shop at Musicorp learning to repair and restore Brass & Woodwind instruments.

For the past five years Mark has managed his own instrumental teaching business in the Adelaide Hill's, predominantly at Bridgewater Primary School . In recent years he has managed to inspire and escalate the number of students studying music at Bridgewater from zero to 60% of all students. Mark also assisted Bridgewater in their recent approval of a government grant to further extend the music program.
- Mark Hudson 

National Education Product Specialist (Traditional) – Matt
(matt.sutherland@allans.com.au)
Matt Sutherland began playing trumpet and cornet at the age of twelve and spent his teenage years playing with the City of Essendon Band .  He went on to study trumpet with Gordon Webb at the Victorian College of the Arts and then furthered his studies at the University of Melbourne , earning a Bachelor of Music degree.

He taught brass and conducted band at Wesley College in Perth before embarking on a career in band and orchestral sales with Allans Music.   He has gone on to achieve many years experience in education sales, supporting educators in developing their programs.

Matthew has a wide range of performance experience including orchestra, concert and brass band, brass quintet, choir, and solo recitalist.   For a time Matthew performed regularly as a soloist on baroque trumpet with several works broadcast on 3MBS FM.   As a guest artist he has performed on CD recordings for a number of bands.   Matthew has also worked as Events Manager for the School of Music – Conservatorium, Monash University , where he managed the school's various concert series.  From time to time Matt has worked as tutor at the Border Music Camp, Albury.

Most recently he has performed with the Melbourne Tramways band and as a guest musician with Billanook College in their production of “Honk”.  Matt is a regular member of the Whitehorse Symphony Orchestra.

“Music has been a wonderful part of my life and I love sharing my passion for music…”
- Matt Sutherland

National Education Product Specialist (Music Technology) – Mike
(michael.ireland@allans.com.au)
Mike loves toys!! Anything that can be plugged in, pulled out, turned up, switched on, re routed, and tweaked he either already owns, or its on his wish list. His interest in music started by fumbling through his mothers record collection, bands like ELO, The Doors and Pink Floyd inspired him to view music from a explorative point of view.

Playing Drums, Guitar and Keyboard somewhat poorly growing up Mike soon realised that a career in the studio was the best way to utilise his natural ear. Upon the explosion of the Melbourne dance scene in mid 90's Michael was drawn towards a new sound and began a career as a successful Melbourne DJ/Producer playing in dance clubs and hosting a successful Saturday night radio show.

Mikes academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Music in Technical Production, Diploma of Music Industry and a Certificate in Forensic Science??!?, his career experiences have seen him work in studios, TV, film and radio. Mike, with his love for production and engineering brings to the table an in depth understanding of music technology, and a drive to inspire young people and old to embrace the changes in the crafting of modern music.

“I believe my computer can be as much of an instrument as any stringed, skinned or reeded instrument out there, I just want to convince everyone else of that too…”  
- Mike Ireland