Centre of Creative Harmony with Dunja Lavrova
Unlock Your Innate Creative Potential
Welcome to the Centre of Creative Harmony, a place where your unique creative voice is waiting to be discovered and nurtured!
I'm Dunja Lavrova, founder of the Centre of Creative Harmony: a space I have established in order to share with you the wealth of experience I’ve gathered over the course of my life as a multi-faceted musician, multi-disciplinary artist, and dedicated educator. As a lifelong student of the creative process itself, I am continually exploring its depths, and my core mission is to guide individuals towards unlocking their authentic creative freedom.
The Creative Harmony Philosophy: A Holistic Path to Creative Growth
At the heart of the Centre is a distinctive holistic philosophy, born from a lifelong dedication to artistic practice, extensive research across pedagogical, scientific, and academic fields, and a commitment to holistic well-being. My approach isn't just about learning an instrument or a skill; it's about fostering profound self-expression, personal growth, and genuine well-being within each person's unique creative journey.
Central to my coaching and mentoring style is the creation of a safe, supportive space where you can truly thrive. I believe in building strong, trusting relationships and meeting you precisely where you are on your unique journey. My peer-mentoring approach, characterised by deep empathy and authenticity, allows me to connect with people from all walks of life.
This philosophy is built upon a powerful fusion of foundational pillars:
Decades of my practical experience as a performer and educator, which has allowed me to deeply explore, apply, and integrate principles of the psychology of learning and strategies for achieving peak performance.
Core principles of self-awareness and embodied cognition.
A dedicated focus on cultivating mental resilience and a flexible mindset.
Evidence-based approaches from contemporary scientific research (particularly into the psychology of the human mind and neuroscience, focusing on their relevance to the body-mind connection and creative development).
Timeless insights from ancient wisdom traditions (including Eastern philosophies, Yoga, and Mindfulness).
An unwavering commitment to holistic well-being (mental and physical).
This synergistic approach acts as a potent catalyst for self-expression and growth, empowering individuals to:
Discover their distinct path towards peak performance and creative fulfilment.
Build lasting confidence and significantly enhance their overall life satisfaction.
Embrace the transformative journey, not merely the end goal.
Foster independence and awaken their unique creative voice.
Develop effective time-management and self-discipline.
Deepen self-awareness and build profound personal resilience.
By marrying my rich personal and professional experiences with insights from the cutting-edge science of the human mind—including neuroscience, peak performance states, the science of learning, memory, and brain development—I've built a powerful interdisciplinary foundation for this methodology.
A Lifetime Immersed in Creative Arts & Holistic Practice : Meet Your Mentor
My entire life has been dedicated to music and the creative arts. I’ve served as a performer, improviser, composer-arranger, and score-editor. My performing career includes notable achievements such as receiving The Tagore Gold Medal, presented by HM King Charles, and extensive touring, recording, and performing worldwide as a multi-genre violinist. (For more details, you can refer to my full biography here: www.dunjalavrova.com.au/discover-dunja-lavrova).
For over two decades, I've also worked as an instrumental tutor, mentor, and creativity coach, always focusing on innovative approaches to learning. My insights into effective learning stem from this lifetime of performance, rigorous academic studies, and extensive research into pedagogical methodologies and performance practices.
My holistic perspective and profound understanding of individual needs are further shaped by:
Diverse artistic and cultural backgrounds and a lifetime immersed in music.
Extensive personal training in disciplines such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, breathwork, and martial arts.
Substantial experience in the Education and Community Outreach sectors, where I’ve developed music programmes for diverse communities across the globe, exploring the profound impacts of creative practices on mental health and well-being.
Insights gained as a carer and Specialist Support Worker within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
A cornerstone of my educating philosophy is the power of improvisation. I see it not only as a form of creative expression, a philosophical concept, or an essential tool for musicians and artists alike, but as a profound life skill. Improvisation cultivates freedom, presence, adaptability, flexibility, and a state of “flow”—qualities that enrich all aspects of not only creative expression but also broader aspects of life.
This rich tapestry of experience enables me to make personalised and impactful creative learning genuinely accessible to everyone.
Who Can Benefit from the Centre of Creative Harmony Programmes?
My approach is designed to unlock creative potential across a diverse range of needs and aspirations.
I offer tailored support for:
Aspiring & Professional Violinists: Seeking master-level tuition for exams, auditions, competitions, recordings, and career development.
Professional Musicians, Composers & Ensembles: For instrumentalists (all disciplines), composers, arrangers, and members of bands or groups seeking to deepen their artistic expression, overcome creative blocks, enhance improvisational or compositional skills, or integrate holistic practices for a thriving and sustainable career.
Creative Professionals (all disciplines): Providing mentorship and guidance for individuals across diverse creative sectors (such as visual arts, writing, design, dance, other forms of performance, and innovation). My role is to support you in enhancing your unique creative process, refining your artistic voice, navigating creative challenges, unlocking innovative thinking, and integrating holistic well-being strategies for a sustainable, impactful, and fulfilling career.
Music Enthusiasts of All Ages: Welcoming individuals from beginner to intermediate levels to explore various instruments, develop their musicianship from foundational concepts (like notation) to a deeper understanding of harmony and aural skills, experiment with composition, and discover improvisation, all for personal enjoyment and skill development.
Individuals Seeking Creative Expansion: Anyone looking for general creativity coaching and mentorship to unlock their broader artistic potential, regardless of their field.
Parents of Creative Children: Dedicated services to empower parents in supporting their child's artistic journey at home.
Underserved, Neurodiverse & Marginalised Communities: Specialised workshops and programmes designed for accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment through creative expression.
CORE OFFERINGS:
Tailored Pathways to Your Creative Expression
1. Violin Artistry: Master-Level Tuition & Mentorship
Drawing upon a lifetime as an international violinist and educator, I offer a unique pedagogical approach for students aspiring to specialise in violin and seasoned professional violinists alike. Whether you're preparing for instrumental exams (AMEB, conservatory, etc.), auditions, competitions, or generally seeking to refine your professional artistry, I am here to provide a wealth of knowledge gathered over my lifetime as a professional multi-genre violinist.
I have guided numerous violinists towards achieving their personal and professional goals. As a result, their accomplishments often include attaining top marks in examinations, succeeding in competitions, and securing positions in respected youth orchestras, tertiary music programmes, and professional ensembles.
My methodology transcends traditional instrumental instruction by prioritising a highly personalised experience. I blend my profound knowledge of established violin techniques and schools with the holistic philosophy of the Centre of Creative Harmony. By understanding your interests, strengths, and challenges, we cultivate the understanding that technical mastery is a tool for profound creative expression. While my approach is always grounded in the Centre's holistic philosophy, our violin tuition places special emphasis on:
Guiding you to ultimately find your peak performance state.
Nurturing your unique artistic voice and profound musical expression.
Integrated with advanced technical training, this mentorship focuses on efficient practice, hyper-focus, mindfulness, performance psychology, and stage presence, preparing you for excellence in your musical journey and overall well-being.
2. Transformative Power of Music: General Music & Instrumental Studies for All
The Centre’s purpose is to unlock creative potential in both children and adult learners of all levels. I offer tuition to students of all ages – from young children on their first musical adventure to adults at any stage, including absolute beginners. My meticulously crafted pedagogical methodology applies to general music education and various instruments. This holistic approach moves beyond conventional instruction, equipping you with unique practical tools I’ve tested extensively with students and as a musician myself.
This style is flexible, deeply inclusive, and particularly successful with neurodivergent students.
3. Ignite Your Creative Spark: Tutoring, Mentorship & Coaching in Creative Expression
I offer dedicated mentorship in creativity development for individuals of all ages across any discipline. The focus is on unlocking your innate creative potential and fostering self-expression in its broadest sense. Through personalised guidance, I help you build confidence, embrace your unique creative voice, overcome blocks, and explore diverse avenues of expression. My methodology is powerfully informed by my vast experience as a performing musician, creative director, multi-media artist, and leader of diverse community arts projects. This fosters an environment of experimentation, empowering you to tap into your imagination, develop innovative thinking, and integrate creativity into all aspects of life.
This specialised mentorship is offered as:
Integrated within Music Lessons: Seamlessly weaving creative exploration into your musical journey.
As a Stand-Alone Service: Dedicated one-on-one coaching for anyone seeking to cultivate creativity, regardless of background. (Please enquire for more details on Stand-Alone Creativity Services).
4. Empowering Parents: Nurturing Your Child's Creative Journey
I deeply value the pivotal role parents play in their children’s creative development. Recognising that creative nurturing extends far beyond formal lessons into the home and daily life of children, I provide exclusive services for parents of creative children (even if your child isn't currently a student at the Centre).
These programmes, workshops and courses are designed with busy parents in mind, offering flexible, mixed-delivery formats. They are designed to equip you with practical tools and insights to foster your child's artistic development, equipping you to seamlessly integrate creative support into family life. This empowers both your child's journey and your own creative spirit. (Please enquire for further details).