Shaun Comerford - General Manager

Shaun's musical background includes specialising in playing soprano sax and clarinet. He was also the director of a theatre company so he understands the value of performance opportunities and encouraging people to develop and use their talents.

Shaun joined The Music Place in 2001 and is now the General Manager of our retail stores. His depth of knowledge of woodwind and brass instruments is remarkable. Shaun has worked with many product manufacturers and instrument technicians overseas to make sure that The Music Place's product and service ranges are unsurpassed in this country.

Whilst spending time with Jody Espina (Jody Jazz) recently, Shaun met up with American sax great James Carter (pictured on right).

Many overseas artists visit The Music Place - one of the world's famous saxophone stores.

Ashley Jackman - Head Technician

Like most saxophonists, Ashley started playing while he was at school. He plays the full range of saxes plus flute, clarinet and harmonica. Ashley (Ash to most of us) has played in a variety of bands, musicals and stage productions over the past twenty six years.

He has been repairing and restoring saxophones since 1999. With an analytical science background, ten years in the metal industry along with being involved for most of his life with precise and fine engineering hobbies, the move last year to The Music Place has been a logical and exciting career transition. Welcome to Ashley, our head technician based in Melbourne.

Although Ashley is the new kid on the block at The Music Place he has already built a name for himself repairing, restoring and customising saxophones, flutes, clarinets, trumpets and flugel horns for local, national and international clients. Having a passion for exacting work and appreciation of excellent enginerring, Ashley especially enjoys working on handmade flutes and vintage saxophones. He also enjoys talking so feel free to drop in and have a coffee and chat.

Scott MacKenzie – Technician Sydney Store

Originally from Sydney’s southern suburbs where he grew up playing sax, Scott ventured abroad to the UK where he studied at Merton College, home to London’s only musical instrument repair course.

He made a name for himself as repair technician for Macari’s Music in London where some of his clients included Tony Kofi (UK jazz player of the year 2005), Jean Tousaint (Guildhall lecturer and pro player), Raphael Ravenscroft, Hugh Massakela, Ray Gaskins and Maceo Parker.

Scott established his own business “The London Sax Co in 2003” while also working as saxophone technician for Howarth of London.

Returning to Sydney in 2008, Scott joins The Music Place team as our full time technician. For everything from 15 minute adjustments to full restorations, Scott is here to make sure Sydney horn players of all levels have access to world class repairs in their own backyard.The Music Place – Sydney’s Sax Centre – World Class Instrument Repairs and Restorations

Jacinta Mikus - Sydney Store

Jacinta is a graduate of The Julliard School of Music (New York) and studied with James Galway for several years. She is currently performing in orchestras including The Australian Opera, The Australian Ballet and The Sydney Symphony. Jacinta has also performed on numerous occasions in USA and Europe.

She is also a very well known and respected teacher of flute, piccolo, saxophone, clarinet and trumpet. She has an incredible ability to develop students skills and musicality very quickly and inspires passion in all those that learn from her.

If we add her easy going and personable manner plus her great sense of humour to the list, you can be assured of a really fun and caring experience. The best flute advice in Sydney is always ready and waiting at The Music Place.

Sylvia Mitchell - Sydney Store

Sylvia is a professional saxophonist and qualified high school teacher. She graduated from the Canberra School of Music at the ANU in 2004, studying with John Mackey. She also completed a Graduate Diploma of Education at the University of Canberra in 2005.  Sylvia has performed with many bands around Australia, including the well-known world music group ‘Oka’, and the all female jazz trio ‘Sylvie And The Sidekicks’. Critics have described Sylvia as “a wonderful talent. Not the lowdown, mean and dirty sound of a sweaty jazz cellar but a cool, clean, precise yet swinging sound” (Keith Penhallow, 2007). Sylvia toured with the unique theatre adaptation of Geoff Page’s “Drumming On Water” directed by Kate Gaul, for which she composed and arranged the entire musical score. After two NSW tours, the production received the 2006 ACT Critics Choice Award. Sylvia loves working with children and has led numerous ‘Imagine Theatre Workshops’ with children aged 5 to 15 teaching music and drama techniques. Sylvia is currently performing and teaching in Sydney and working towards releasing her debut album. We are fortunate that she also part of The Music Place team.

Cal Barry - Melbourne Store

Technician and much more - Cal is yet another Blackburn High School success story. He is currently studying jazz flute at the VCA and you may have also seen him on TV or with “Nomo Funk Orchestra” or “Busted Onions” or with The Blackburn Salvation Army Big Band on tour in Korea playing piccolo, saxophones or clarinets . Also as a teacher Cal is really great at helping you through the correct selection of instruments, mouthpieces and accessories