Jason Falinski (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to commend Newport Bay's music teacher Roc Koren AKA—wait for it—Captain Roc for his extraordinary efforts in helping inspire and influence the next generation of gifted musicians. For more than 35 years, Captain Roc has taught hundreds of students at the Newport Music School where he is founder. In addition to helping students achieve top marks in the HSC, he has also guided them to accreditation in jazz piano and jazz ensemble exams. In fact, many members of his jazz rock community have gone on to win prestigious awards and accomplish success internationally. Most notably, these include the multi-instrumentalist Ed Wells and Northern Beaches-raised composer Matthew Thomson, who recently won the prestigious 2021 National Jazz Award. I applaud Captain Roc for his incredible contribution to the music community. I know that his love of jazz and teaching will continue to touch the lives of many around us for years to come. As Roc so aptly put it:

Music binds us and connects us not only as humans, but to the evolution of life itself’

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