New music school strikes chord for next generation

A pair of music fanatics who have known each other for three decades are behind a music school bound to focus on developing talents in Helensburgh.

Curtis Deville, owner of Deville Music in the town, and Craig Woodward, owner of Menai Music, have partnered to bring Helensburgh Music School to life, building the town's only music studio, which will be run by Craig and outfitted with instruments from Deville Music.

Curtis and Craig grew up playing in bands in the Sydney scene; Curtis went on to work in the technical and retail side of the music industry while Craig founded a music school.

“I've known Craig for probably close to 30 years as mainly just guys on the scene playing in bands when we were young – just bumping into each other over the years at different points in our musical careers,” Curtis says.

After opening his shop in late 2025, Curtis noticed the silence of the music scene in Helensburgh, attributing it to the lack of musical tuition and support in the area.

“Craig came in to check out my new store and congratulate me,” Curtis says.

“I suggested that a music school here would be a good idea because there's been a lot of requests for it.”

In 2008, Craig founded Menai Musis, which has grown to two locations with roughly 400 students and 15 teachers, and after seeing the need for music in Helensburgh, he has opened up his latest school.

“We’re teaching drums, piano, singing, songwriting, ukulele, bass, artist development, HSC music and we have a recording studio as well,” Craig says.

“And I have a local musician, Dom Roche, who’s a local jazz guitarist – he’s a graduate of the Conservatorium of Music, so we found a great local dude to teach guitar.”

Craig's long list of instrument proficiencies and his experience teaching and performing means Helensburgh music students will be in good hands. He also trusts that Curtis’ help will be the best for the area.

“I’ve known him since I was 16 – he used to get me into bars,” Craig says.

“He was rock and roll… they call them lifers when you’re going to do music.

“So he’s definitely a lifer, a good guy and very honest.”

Curtis’ experience is extensive, working in a professional drum shop, servicing cultural instruments and studying music.

“I've just always been the guy who's just been wanting to help out, acquired the knowledge or the skills to do what I need to do,” Curtis says.

“So it's given me a good background into how nearly everything works, including servicing and repairs … working with the world’s greatest … selling bouzouki strings.’

The pair have their sights set on developing the music scene in Helensburgh.

“We both fell into music when we were pretty young and we spent our whole life doing it and we really just want to keep that passion rolling on forever to other generations,” Curtis says.

“We want to make Helensburgh a centre for the hub for the arts, encourage musicians, encourage people who love music, and ones who never thought about learning,” Craig says.

“We’ll hopefully put on a little festival or something like that – I just want everybody to start a band.”

Curtis believes there’s already been an impact.

“Having the addition of the music school seems like just another great opportunity to bring music to Helensburgh and give the artistic kids something to look forward to, we can already see that’s happening,” Curtis says.

“We do want to look into in the future with hosting live original music in the Burgh as well.

“Get a bit of a scene going… support the up-and-coming generation.”

Having local, passionate businesses gives the burgeoning 'burgh artistic community its best hope to develop.