Tanya Phillips studied at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music and after gaining a Bachelor of Education degree joined the staff in 1986. She has also gained a Masters degree in Education from the University of Wollongong.

A former Board Member of the Conservatorium, Tanya is also the manager and lower string tutor for the BlueScope Steel Youth Orchestra, overseeing numerous tours, both within Australia and overseas. She regularly performs with the Gleniffer String Quartet and has taught extensively at schools throughout the Illawarra region