Wellington
Piano Lessons | Clarinet Lessons, Keyboard Lessons | Artist development, Aural Lessons, Theory Lessons, Composition Lessons, Drama Lessons, Jazz Improvisation Lessons, Mixing and Mastering Lessons, NCEA Music Tutoring, Online Lessons, Suzuki Music Lessons
Bio
Initially from Ōtautahi Christchurch, Ben started learning classical piano when he was 5 years old, moving to studying jazz at university.
Ben graduated from the New Zealand School of Music with a Bachelor of Music majoring in Jazz Performance in 2022, as well as completing his ABRSM Diploma – ARSM in Piano Performance in 2016.
Ben is a regular pianist at the New Zealand School of Dance’s ballet school, and is also a composer and sound designer. Ben regularly composes and designs for theatre, film and video games.
Ben has been tutoring piano since 2021 at a wide range of music schools throughout the Wellington region. Encore! School of Music, Apollo Music, MusicBox academy, The Wellington Music Centre and Studio Sasada. He has also been teaching students privately for the last 2 years.
Teaching Info
Lessons are tailored to suit the students interests, as well as trying to broaden and expand their horizons, grow their appreciation for music and overall musicianship.
Specific repertoire is often decided through the interests of the student as well as their strengths and new areas for them to learn and grow.
Composition, mixing and mastering classes start with understanding the students likes and dislikes. What styles they are drawn to and enjoy. Before diving into understanding those styles and learning how to create and experiment within them.
I started learning piano with Ben two years ago as an intermediate pianist who struggled with music theory. Since then, my understanding of theory has improved significantly, thanks to Ben’s ability to simplify complex, abstract concepts in a clear and practical way. He gently nudges you out of your comfort zone, which has genuinely enhanced the expressiveness of my playing and boosted my confidence. One of my proudest moments was successfully performing a piece at a concert, an achievement I credit to Ben’s patience and thoughtful guidance. I highly recommend Ben to anyone looking to learn piano, regardless of age or skill level.
Lucas Cai - Age 16
Ben brings enthusiasm and deep knowledge to music lessons. He's flexible, letting the student select material while covering the fundamentals in a structured way. Ben's approach is kind and genuine, guiding students to build skills, develop their ear, and most of all, to enjoy making music.
