Barbara Whitnell

I was born in New Zealand and brought up in a musical family and have been living in Perth (Australia) for 7 years
and more recently in Newman for 3 years.

I have been writing songs since I was 14 yrs of age and have been involved in performing, competing and judging in a wide range of activities involving both music and dancing.

I have achieved exams in piano (classical, jazz), electronic organ and keyboard and piano accordion and currently teach music in a variety of instruments as well as some tap, jazz and ballet dancing.

My influences are wide and varied - from classical to classic rock, 10cc, Beatles, Bread, Cole Porter, Rogers and Hammerstein, Herb Albert, Harry Connick Jr, Benny Hill, Creedence Revival, Garth Brooks and Randy Newman to name a few.

I have played at a variety of restaurants on piano, electronic organ and keyboard and been involved in band and duo work.

I have achieved a number of successes in Country Music Awards (NZ) in instrumental, original song and comedy.

For over 10 years I taught music appreciation at primary schools involving all sorts of productions including skits, choir, recorder, music groups, musical plays, dance routines and characterised songs.

In recent years I have been able to devote more time to writing songs and developing tutor books for piano and guitar with backing tracks to support the songs.

My main passion is writing songs, particularly ballads (instrumentals) and children's songs and would love to be creating songs for children's movies or film/tv programmes.