At the Buttery, your journey is a whole lot more than just music lessons.
With us, you can:
Kick off your music adventures as young as 5
Gain confidence and skills in music, join bands, write songs, attend music workshops and events
As you hit your teen years you have the opportunity to play gigs, record your originals, and gain real experience in the music industry
Be a part of a community of rad musicians
The Buttery Music School is proudly a queer, female-owned organisation. At the heart of The Buttery lies inclusivity and raising up people of all minorities.
What We Provide:
Music Lessons:
The Buttery Music School specialises in teaching 1 on 1 and small group music lessons to kids and adults aged 5 years to 1000 years old. If you are over 1000, you are too old. Currently we provide lessons in drums, guitar, singing, piano, bass guitar, DIY recording and songwriting, plus a band program and an early childhood music program. Everything is taught by one of our twelve Buttery music teachers. All of our music teachers have extensive experience as professional musicians, and have become part of the Buttery family because of their warmth, passion, and ability to inspire.
Band Program:
Our band program helps kids and adults form bands, write songs, record albums, and start gigging alongside one of our Buttery band mentors. Wherever you want to take your musical journey, we are there. This band program is a lot more than just a practice, it is the real deal. You are a musician in a band! Not only do we guide you on this journey and provide you endless gigging and recording opportunities, we teach you subtle arts such as the etiquette of being a musician, how to create and jam alongside others, how to handle tricky band dynamics, and how to deal with the ups and downs of being in a band. Not only this, you have band members who can become like family.
Early Childhood Music Program:
For kids aged 5 to 8 years old we have a special early childhood music program called Little Rockers, where we learn the basics of rhythm and melody through a variety of musical adventures including trashcan percussion, ukulele, keyboard and singing. The core focus of this program is to instil a love of music, and a confidence in students’ abilities to adventure in music. We also focus on their ability to connect with and listen to others through music.
Music Incursion Programs for Schools and Organisations:
Our music incursions and songwriting workshops are all about connecting, creating, and having a blast. Whether you're looking for a fun-filled day with friends, colleagues, or classmates, or a deep dive into the music industry, we have a session for everyone. These workshops cater to a wide range of groups—from primary school kids to adults, and from beginners to aspiring musicians.
Community:
One of the number one reasons The Buttery exists is to create a community of legends who feel awesome in who they are, and who celebrate everyone else around them. We tend to find that people who don’t ‘fit in’ to school or society often find a home in The Buttery, and we are so honoured to provide that space. We also often work with people who are looking to music as a way to gain self confidence, creativity and happiness in daily life.
The Buttery’s Mission:
Our primary purpose is to provide inclusive, high-quality music education and programs to the wider community, promoting confidence, creativity and connection. In particular, we:
Deliver music education and music mentoring services to people of all ages
Seek to increase access to music education for low-income families and marginalised people through subsidised or free programs as funding and capacity allow;
Provide inclusive music-based social events and programs aimed at reducing isolation among youth and community members; and
Contribute to the long-term sustainability of Brisbane and the wider community’s music and arts culture by inspiring and equipping the next generation of musicians and bands
Image by Jax Oliver Studio
Image by Jax Oliver Studio
Image by Cecilia Martin
How It All Began:
The Buttery Music School was founded by drummer Jaymee Watkin, in 2014.
Jaymee is a seasoned drummer with over a decade of experience touring, writing, and recording. Between tours, she discovered her talent for fostering confidence and community through music by mentoring young musicians in her Brisbane-based shipping container music studio. As a proud member of the queer community, Jaymee and the gang have cultivated an inclusive environment at The Buttery Music School, which has since grown into a community with 15 inspiring music mentors and 170 students. At The Buttery, students aged 5 years to 500 years old learn music, join bands, and embark on their journeys of writing, recording, and performing.
Jaymee, Will, Tash, Tim, Chelle, Mik, Damien, Josh, India, Mariana, Ruby, Jess, Ryan, Jed and Aaron are now more inspired and excited than ever, in their element, growing The Buttery - a place that breathes music, creativity, confidence and comfort into as many lives as possible.
The Buttery acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we live, the Jagera and Turrbal people.
We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.
“An unbelievably good music school.
My son has been learning to play guitar with Tim for the last few years and loves it so much.
We have watched Bobby learn a new skill, challenge himself but also gain so much self confidence.
This year he even started their band programme and so had the opportunity to meet other kids and learn how to play with other instruments.
He performed on stage for the first time this year and the whole community that Buttery created made it such a safe and special space for these kids. We were such proud parents.
Thank you so much Jaymee, Tim and Sanjay. You guys are amazing!”