BUTTERHOUSE PILOT PROGRAM PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK

A quick bit about yourself:

My name is Eli, I’m 23 years old and I am learning drums and guitar at the Buttery Music School, with drums being my main instrument.

Kaseko, 22. I'm a passionate musician constantly learning and exploring!

Claudia, 19. I am a uni student studying science but I really love creative outlets and opportunities. I have always been a little bit musical so I love being able to show that.

My name is Tiann Biti, i’m a 19 year old student studying architecture. outside of uni I work and practice my hobbies, the main one being music!

What have you done at the Buttery, and when did you first start?

Eli - I first started taking drum lessons at the Buttery at the start of 2023. I've had a weekly drum lesson since then and have also started learning guitar since 2024. These lessons are a highlight of my week as I get to dive in deep with passionate and cool music teachers. My first ever music performance was at Butterfest 2023 and in the years since I have taken on the additional role of photographer as part of capturing this amazing community. Since last year I have also become a member of Butterhouse, which is a group of young creatives who get together to plan and put on events, as well as discuss ways of improving Brisbane's music scene.

Kaseko - I started at the buttery in late 2019, taking guitar lessons. Since then, I've helped out with several Buttery events - whether it be the live sound, merch stalls or photography. I recently joined Butterhouse, working with other members to create Volume 1 in a Butterhouse/Buttery zine series. I've also recently been learning how to become a music teacher through the Buttery, sitting in on lessons and starting to teach for certain segments.

Claudia - I started doing drum lessons at the start of 2025, doing private lessons. At the start of 2026 I have started doing band sessions and guitar lessons. I also played drums at the schools music showcase, butterfest. Butterhouse has helped me connect with likeminded musical individuals. Even allowing me to meet people who wanted to play together as a band. Helping me expand my connection the the community.

Tiann - I started at the buttery when i was in grade 9 i think. originally my mum booked guitar lessons for my sister and singing lessons for me but my sister was too busy to attend any lessons so i did both lessons myself which was probably one of the best things to ever happen to me. i’ve played at every butterfest besides 2024 because i was abroad. now that im no longer taking lessons im super lucky to still be connected to the buttery through the butterhouse project. Its been super fun and collaborative!

What part has The Buttery Music School played in your life so far? How would your life be different if you weren’t a part of The Buttery?

Eli - I would say the Buttery Music School has completely changed my life. I have found a community of people that I love and who I want to spend time with being creative together. Since Jaymee is a close family friend the Buttery has always been close to my heart. I have improved a lot from where I started musically, and I think the Buttery is such an amazing place for learning and playing music in a supportive and inclusive space. The Buttery feels like the perfect place to learn the joy of making music and pursue your goals and I have made many of my closest friends through the school. I feel much more confident and happy that I have found this tribe of amazing people and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Kaseko - The Buttery Music School has played a seriously significant role in my life! Truly beyond words! Since I first joined, it has always been a place I knew I could find and connect w/ like-minded people. For me, it has always been this place that was nice to know was there - even if I didnt have any lessons lined up, I knew I'd be welcomed. It is much more than a music school in that way. I've learned so much about myself and others and just life in general through the Buttery! I think without the Buttery my life would look very different! I dont think I would take the risks or dream as big as I do, if it werent for the Buttery!! <3

Claudia - The Buttery has helped me reconnect with music. After stopping playing music due to being burned out and losing passion the buttery helped me to realise again how much I loved creating and listening to music. I would not be as connected to the musical realm as I am now without the buttery music school. Butterhouse also helped me gain confidence and friends within this sphere, which I otherwise may not have known.

Tiann - The buttery has honestly changed my life so so much. i grew up in a very music centred house, my patently love music, i love music. i also grew up being in choir all throughout primary school so i loved singing. Although my family can appreciate a good song i feel there’s another level of connection you can have with music when you’re able to create it yourself. The buttery taught me the skills that deepened my connection with music and allow me to make my own. i think it’s one of the deepest forms of self expression and that’s why music is so special and why what the buttery does is so special. The buttery also taught me about confidence. i remember in my first lesson i was so shy and sang so quietly my music teacher couldn’t even hear me over the backing track. only one or two years later when the first butterfest happened, i sang on stage in from of a crowd and they could all hear me. it was so scary but such a big learning lesson and boost to my confidence. i never imagined i would ever get the opportunity to sing on stage or be able to actually do it. The buttery has also given me so many connections and i’ve made friends and connections that i know i will cherish for life.

What’s the best thing about being a part of the Butterhouse project so far?

Eli - Hanging out with people who are committed to putting on events and diving into creative projects (such as the Buttery's first zine, which I am extremely proud of).

Kaseko - Collaborating/hanging out and watching our ideas manifest!

Claudia - Meeting cool people, and learning more about music and how the industry works.

Tiann - The butterhouse project has been so great so far. It’s sometimes really hard for me to find time to do creative things or practice music, however, butterhouse inspires me every week. just being around people who love music just as much as you do is so motivating and really encourages me to practice my instrument. working on creative projects also boosts our confidence and creativity. when we finished our first project i felt so proud of the whole team because we had been working on it for weeks and it was so amazing to see something so cool that we made together. It’s also so great to be able to work on creative projects with super friendly and amazing people.

What do you hope to learn/ do in Butterhouse in the future, or what excites you most about the future of Butterhouse?

Eli - I am most excited to put on events and build community, learning about the inner-workings of getting a music scene off the ground.

Kaseko - I think hosting more events would be really fun! I'd love to learn more live sound/technical stuff. What seriously excites me most though is just being apart of it and contributing wherever I can.

Claudia - I want to learn more about how gigs and shows are run and how to organise cool events. As well as continuing to jam and connect with creatives.

Tiann - What excites me most about butterhouse is what it can do for all of the people like me who may be losing their instrumental ability or love for music simply because they don’t have time. Butterhouse is so inspiring and encouraging. I also hope to learn more about anything and everything music!!