Auckland
Violin Lessons | Artist development, Ensemble Coaching, Theory Lessons, NCEA Music Tutoring
Bio
After completing my degrees at Auckland University (M. Mus (Dist), I freelanced for a year, then completed a Post Graduate Diploma from the Royal Northern College of Music (UK) in 1999.
I have many years of experience as a freelance performer with various orchestras, touring shows, musicals and chamber ensembles and until recently have played with local professional and touring ensembles / orchestras such as ACO, APO and Bach Musica.
I have taught violin & viola privately and at various schools (both public and private) in Auckland since my return from the UK.
My students follow either Trinity or ABRSM syllabuses and range from age 5 – adult. Exams aren’t for everyone and lessons are tailored to the individual.
The ergonomic health of my students is of the utmost importance to me. Students sometimes come to me with neck and shoulder pain/ hunched posture that may have been developing for years. I am very careful to ensure that my students have the correct setup, in order to avoid this potentially long-term problem. Students with pre-existing conditions (often with long necks) have managed to resolve the pain and continue playing comfortably. It is usually possible to achieve this by solely changing the chin rest and / or shoulder rest. If this is a long – term, issue sometimes treatment is required (eg acupuncture). Ensuring the underlying technique is secure and not creating undue tension when playing, is also extremely relevant.
Some of my students have completed Performance degrees and now teach and /play in professional orchestras.
I do not use a teaching studio at present, so if you reside outside of my stated teaching areas, I cannot offer you lessons.
I now travel to students’ homes, in various suburbs including: Mission Bay, Orakei, Kohimarama, Meadowbank, Stonefields & Remuera.
Bordering suburbs (eg St. Johns & St Heliers) will also be considered.
2025 Availability:
Tuesdays from 6pm in Remuera, Orakei or Mission Bay.
Wednesday from 3:45 – 4:55 in Stonefields or nearby suburbs.
Thursdays from 4:15 in Stonefields, Kohimarama, Mission Bay or Orakei.
My stated fee is for 2025 and increases $2 per hour annually.
Teaching Info
As well as working towards practical violin exams and helping my students with their orchestral/ chamber music, I ensure that all students have a solid theoretical grounding.