Chamindri Thanusha Rathnayake
Piano, Keyboard & Music Theory Teacher in Dubai
Piano & Keyboard Instructor · Piano, Electronic Keyboard & Music Theory
12+ years with Melody Makers
About Chamindri
Thanusha is a piano and keyboard instructor at Melody Makers with over 21 years of teaching experience across Sri Lanka, Oman and Dubai. She has completed Trinity College London examinations in Piano and Keyboard, which form the backbone of the structured, exam-ready approach her students know her for. Early in her career she was selected to pursue Hindustani Music at the University of Kelaniya, and chose instead to build her career internationally, working with students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.
Her teaching career began in 2005 at Adventist International School in Sri Lanka, where she spent four years preparing students from beginner level all the way to GCE O/Ls in both Eastern and Western music. She then moved to Oman, teaching for four years at Music Palace under the British curriculum.
In 2013 Thanusha relocated to Dubai and joined Melody Makers, where she has now been teaching piano and keyboard for over 13 years. Alongside her work at Melody Makers, she is the Primary Music Teacher at GEMS Our Own English High School Dubai, where internal evaluations have rated her as an Outstanding teacher.
Her classroom style is warm, patient and deeply student-centred. Parents repeatedly describe her teaching as the reason their child has developed a genuine love for the instrument, not just the skill. She prepares students for Trinity College London grades in both practical and theory, with recent students securing results like Grade 3 Piano with a perfect 100 marks and Grade 2 Theory at 96%. The work is rigorous, the mood is encouraging, and the progression is measurable.
Thanusha also comes with a formal international reference from the Head of Senior School at The British School Muscat (BSM), a school rated "Outstanding" by OFSTED, who worked with her while her pupils studied under Thanusha at Music Palace. Her contribution there was described as making a real difference to the school and its pupils, with a strong commitment to excellence and to students of all backgrounds and abilities.
Notable Highlights
Trinity Grade 3 Piano | perfect 100 marks
A Sri Lankan family specifically searched out a teacher from home and found Thanusha at Melody Makers. After just over a year of lessons, their daughter sat Trinity Grade 3 Piano and scored a perfect 100. She is now preparing for theory examinations under the same foundation.
Trinity Grade 2 Theory | 96%, keyboard student
A parent of one of Thanusha's keyboard students wrote a full gratitude note after their son completed Trinity Grade 2 Theory with 96%. In their words, "this achievement is not easy, and it clearly reflects both the teacher's guidance and the student's sincere effort."
"Outstanding" rated Primary Music Teacher | GEMS Our Own English High School
Alongside Melody Makers, Thanusha serves as the Primary Music Teacher at GEMS Our Own English High School Dubai, where she has been rated Outstanding in internal evaluations.
21+ years teaching across Sri Lanka, Oman and Dubai
Thanusha's teaching career spans over 21 years internationally: 4 years at Adventist International School (Sri Lanka, from 2005), 4 years at Music Palace (Oman) under the British curriculum, and 13+ years in Dubai at Melody Makers and GEMS.
Selected for Hindustani Music at the University of Kelaniya
Early in her career Thanusha was selected to pursue Hindustani Music at the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka. She chose to build her career internationally instead, working with students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.
What Students & Parents Say
“"Thanusha is a dedicated professional with outstanding teaching skills... she has made a difference to the school and her pupils; her contribution is recognised by parents and teachers at BSM. Thanusha has the interest of all her students at heart; she takes her job very seriously and she is committed to excellence. She is also strongly focused on ensuring that pupils of all backgrounds and abilities do well... an asset to our community, both as an excellent piano teacher and also as a caring and dedicated individual."”
“Heartfelt gratitude to Thanusha Ma'am for her exceptional dedication, care and undivided attention towards her students, especially my son. Her way of teaching is truly inspiring. My son genuinely enjoys learning keyboard, and recently completed his Trinity Grade 2 Theory Examination and secured an excellent 96%. Right after the exam he confidently said he had done very well, and that confidence itself shows the strength of her teaching. Five stars to Thanusha Ma'am and Melody Makers.”
“My daughter has been learning piano at Melody Makers for over a year and our experience has been truly exceptional. As parents from Sri Lanka we were specifically looking for a music teacher from Sri Lanka and we were fortunate to find Mrs. Thanusha. She is an outstanding teacher, highly skilled, patient and dedicated. One of her biggest achievements has been scoring a perfect 100 marks in her Trinity Grade 3 piano exam. I would highly recommend this academy, especially Mrs. Thanusha, to Sri Lankans and all other nationalities looking for a professional and dedicated piano teacher.”
Classes with Chamindri
Electronic Keyboard
1 hour per session (flexible split between theory and practical) | Private (1-to-1) or small group (up to 3 students, each with their own keyboard)
Music Theory
1 hour per session | Individual and small group options available
Piano
1 hour per session | Private (1-to-1) or small group (up to 3 students, each with their own instrument)
Part of the Melody Makers Team
Chamindri is part of the Melody Makers faculty, a team of dedicated professionals who have been nurturing musical and creative talent in Dubai for nearly three decades. As a Registered Exam Centre of Trinity College London, our teachers are experienced in preparing students for internationally recognised qualifications alongside developing a lifelong love of their art.
Ready to learn with Chamindri?
Book a free trial lesson and experience our personalised teaching approach - private or small group, your choice.