Meet Our Founder
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International pianist, composer, producer and educator Cristian Contreras has been passionate about music since he was a child. Born in Bogota Colombia, Cristian was influenced by music at a very young age. At three years of age his parents and he migrated to Sydney Australia where Cristian attended primary school and soon fell in love with the piano. He took his first lesson at 8 years of age, and soon this love for the instrument grew into an obsession. This obsession led to countless hours of practice and a love for the performing arts. Cristian soon began learning classical, jazz and contemporary music from multiple teachers including Bob Berrigan, Don Secomb and Ariana. By the time he completed high school, Cristian had achieved first place in music with a high distinction band 6 result in the 2006 HSC and numerous Eisteddfod competitions as well as grades under his belt.
At 17, Cristian was already living independently in Sydney where he had been accepted into the Australian Institute of Music. He furthered his studies in Jazz, contemporary music and world music including Afro Cuban rhythms and instruments. He soon taught himself to play the guitar, drum kit, and Latin percussion instruments. He also began to develop his singing and work with other vocalists on a regular basis. Over the next 4 years he further developed his skills as a pianist, composer, arranger and producer under the guidance of mentors such as Tim Bruer, Dan Wallace, Armandito, Jaimie Rigg, and Greg White. His education led to various recording opportunities at both Q Studios and SAE in Sydney. Cristian performed at numerous venues including the Seymour Centre, Star City Casino, The Basement, John Painter Hall Mid North Coast Entertainment Center, and at the 2008 Melbourne food and wine festival with international vocalist Silvie Boisel.
In 2008 Cristian founded Contreras Music in Ashfield Sydney, with his first students learning piano and vocals. At 19 he had attained his Bachelor of Music and was then invited to continue into postgraduate studies focusing on composition and music production. Whilst completing his Master’s thesis on Latin Jazz, Cristian composed, recorded and produced his work at Q studios Sydney (AIM) then launched his debut album in 2010 at Sydney’s premiere Jazz venue The Basement.
Aged 21, Cristian now set his sights on the international stage, with an independent world tour around South East Asia, Europe, and South America. For an entire year, he travelled the world, performing, composing and growing as an artist. He then returned to his country of birth, Colombia, and spent the next 2 years teaching music and practicing for his international debut. In 2013 Cristian launched his international Debut “Intervals and Time” with performances in South America, South East Asia and finally Australia.
Upon returning home Cristian began to direct his passion for music into the education sector. He moved Contreras Music to Western Sydney and began expanding his music practice. After hiring specialist teachers to begin teaching the growing number of students, he commenced his second Master’s degree, this time specialising in education and teaching. After working casually in several schools including James Ruse High, Cristian attained a permanent full time position at a Sydney High School teaching Music from junior level through to the senior HSC music course. He has been invited to peer mark trial HSC performances in other high schools as well.
In 2015 Cristian graduated with A Master of Teaching degree from the University of New South Wales. At this point Cristian was busy running Contreras Music with a small yet dedicated staff of expert teachers across 5 different disciplines. The first annual Contreras Music concert saw all Contreras Music students perform repertoire ranging from classical to jazz and contemporary popular music.
With 20 years of performance, and 14 years of musical education experience to his name, Cristian continues to channel his passion into his practice. At Contreras music, students learn piano, electric guitar, bass, acoustic guitar, drum kit, and vocals as well as the following musical subjects: High School Music, AMEB, Eisteddfods, HSC, Theory, Composition, Improvisation, Technique, Arranging, Producing, Recording, Digital Music Technology, Transcribing, and Aural Skills Development.
Don’t miss your chance to learn from one of the best! Visit Contreras Music today and meet our founder in person.
At 17, Cristian was already living independently in Sydney where he had been accepted into the Australian Institute of Music. He furthered his studies in Jazz, contemporary music and world music including Afro Cuban rhythms and instruments. He soon taught himself to play the guitar, drum kit, and Latin percussion instruments. He also began to develop his singing and work with other vocalists on a regular basis. Over the next 4 years he further developed his skills as a pianist, composer, arranger and producer under the guidance of mentors such as Tim Bruer, Dan Wallace, Armandito, Jaimie Rigg, and Greg White. His education led to various recording opportunities at both Q Studios and SAE in Sydney. Cristian performed at numerous venues including the Seymour Centre, Star City Casino, The Basement, John Painter Hall Mid North Coast Entertainment Center, and at the 2008 Melbourne food and wine festival with international vocalist Silvie Boisel.
In 2008 Cristian founded Contreras Music in Ashfield Sydney, with his first students learning piano and vocals. At 19 he had attained his Bachelor of Music and was then invited to continue into postgraduate studies focusing on composition and music production. Whilst completing his Master’s thesis on Latin Jazz, Cristian composed, recorded and produced his work at Q studios Sydney (AIM) then launched his debut album in 2010 at Sydney’s premiere Jazz venue The Basement.
Aged 21, Cristian now set his sights on the international stage, with an independent world tour around South East Asia, Europe, and South America. For an entire year, he travelled the world, performing, composing and growing as an artist. He then returned to his country of birth, Colombia, and spent the next 2 years teaching music and practicing for his international debut. In 2013 Cristian launched his international Debut “Intervals and Time” with performances in South America, South East Asia and finally Australia.
Upon returning home Cristian began to direct his passion for music into the education sector. He moved Contreras Music to Western Sydney and began expanding his music practice. After hiring specialist teachers to begin teaching the growing number of students, he commenced his second Master’s degree, this time specialising in education and teaching. After working casually in several schools including James Ruse High, Cristian attained a permanent full time position at a Sydney High School teaching Music from junior level through to the senior HSC music course. He has been invited to peer mark trial HSC performances in other high schools as well.
In 2015 Cristian graduated with A Master of Teaching degree from the University of New South Wales. At this point Cristian was busy running Contreras Music with a small yet dedicated staff of expert teachers across 5 different disciplines. The first annual Contreras Music concert saw all Contreras Music students perform repertoire ranging from classical to jazz and contemporary popular music.
With 20 years of performance, and 14 years of musical education experience to his name, Cristian continues to channel his passion into his practice. At Contreras music, students learn piano, electric guitar, bass, acoustic guitar, drum kit, and vocals as well as the following musical subjects: High School Music, AMEB, Eisteddfods, HSC, Theory, Composition, Improvisation, Technique, Arranging, Producing, Recording, Digital Music Technology, Transcribing, and Aural Skills Development.
Don’t miss your chance to learn from one of the best! Visit Contreras Music today and meet our founder in person.