Born and raised in Melbourne’s inner north, Ronnie Duncan-Deveny is a bassist, guitarist, and songwriter who lives and works in Naarm/Melbourne.

Ronnie has always been interested in the creative arts, spending her childhood making films, writing fiction and poetry, and listening to and playing music. While her early musical influences came from the pop and rock of her parents’ youth — with artists such as The Beatles and Earth, Wind & Fire constantly playing at home — picking up the bass at age 12 (and guitar six months later) opened her up to a wide variety of musical styles and genres. Today she feels equally at home playing music by King Crimson, D’Angelo, or Kate Bush, and has a particular passion for improvisation, complex music, and thoughtful guitar arrangements.

Ronnie is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts (Music Performance) at The Australian College of the Arts, where she studied under Melbourne-based session bassist Josh Jones. She regularly gigs and records with a number of bands and projects, including collaborations with jazz fusion drummer Rory Tiganis-Hannan, industrial outfit False Animal, singer-songwriters Tooley and Saphra More, and indie rock/folk band Twice Shy. Across these projects she has worked in many roles, including songwriter, session musician, and musical director.

As a teacher, Ronnie believes lessons should be tailored to each individual student, rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach. Inspired by jazz pianist Thelonious Monk’s idea that “a genius is one most like themselves,” Ronnie encourages students to develop their own musical voice. Whether focusing on technique, improvisation, songwriting, arranging, or learning favourite songs, her goal is to help students sound like themselves.

Ronnie also enjoys sharing music across many genres and styles, and values creating lessons that are engaging, supportive, and creative. As the eldest of three children and the second eldest of thirteen cousins, she has plenty of experience working with children and young people.

When she isn’t making music, Ronnie can usually be found watching unusual films, playing with her pets, or reading esoteric Wikipedia articles.

📍 You can find Ronnie teaching in Room 4 on Wednesdays at Room 5 on Thursdays