Christchurch
Saxophone Lessons | Clarinet Lessons, Flute Lessons | Aural Lessons, Theory Lessons, Composition Lessons, Jazz Improvisation Lessons, NCEA Music Tutoring
Bio
***Taking enquiries for 2026***
Hi there! Welcome to my profile. I am a professional saxophonist, woodwind doubler and composer from Christchurch.
About me: I graduated from Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2012 with a Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance). I have performed widely in Australia, NZ and Asia, and previously taught woodwinds at several schools in Sydney. Over the past few years I have been working as a showband musician for international cruise lines such as Cunard, Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. In 2024 I obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching from the NZ Graduate School of Education.
I teach saxophone at all levels, and beginner/intermediate flute and clarinet.
Teaching Info
I enjoy teaching students of all ages and skill levels. Lessons can be fun and relaxed or challenging and goal directed depending on the student and your musical goals. The typical priorities for saxophone/clarinet/flute lessons are helping you with:
- Tone production and control – making a nice sound, having control over the pitch and the range. Making sure your mouthpiece/reeds/instrument are optimised.
- Efficient finger technique – crucial for developing speed and facility on the instrument.
- Music reading and building repertoire – learning the language of music and being able to play music you enjoy, solo or with an ensemble.
- Ear training, harmony and improvisation – skills for the “next level” of musicianship.
Ultimately (with practice), woodwinds are relatively easy instruments to play. Once you develop strong fundamentals, playing music becomes easily accessible.
NCEA tutoring: As a qualified high-school teacher, I am familiar with the NZ music curriculum, and can offer tutoring towards NCEA achievement standards.
Being trained at the NZGSE, I have a broad knowledge of pedagogy both in theory and practice, with skills such as course design, planning and assessment, learning support and behaviour management.
I have a particular interest in working with advanced jazz students who are preparing for university auditions, scholarships, exams and competitions.
I have a YouTube channel which is regularly updated with performances, compositions and transcriptions: Michael Gordon Saxophone – YouTube
The moment you have a saxophone, jazz or composition question is the moment you should be contacting me!!
Qualifications
PG. Dip Teaching – NZGSE (2024)
B.Mus – Sydney Conservatorium of Music (2012)
Work History
Norwegian Cruise Line 2023
Regent Seven Seas Cruises 2023
Cunard Cruise Line 2021-2022
Northbridge Public School – Sax, Clarinet and Flute Tutor 2018-2019
St Michael’s Catholic Primary (Lane Cove) – Sax and Clarinet Tutor 2019
Willoughby Public School – Sax and Clarinet Tutor 2016-2019
North Strathfield Public School – Sax and Clarinet Tutor 2017
Performance Experience
New Zealand High School’s Jazz Orchestra 2007-2008
Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra 2009-2012
CPIT Jazzquest 2008 Best Musician and Best Original Composition
At Sydney Conservatorium I studied primarily with Dale Barlow and David Theak as well as taking lessons from visiting artists such as Chris Potter and Bob Sheppard. I studied composition and arranging with William Edward Motzing, Dave Panichi and Mike Nock.
My compositions have been featured on ABC Radio Jazztrack, Radio New Zealand Concert, Fine Music FM, East Side Radio. My original albums have received multiple reviews in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian newspapers.
Australia: Manly Jazz Festival, Sydney Festival, Sydney Opera House, The Basement, SIMA, Jazzgroove Association, Foundry616, Venue 505, Darling Harbour Jazz Festival, Melbourne Jazzlab, Uptown Jazz Cafe, Canberra Multicultural Festival, Jazz Music Institute Brisbane, Cronulla Jazz Festival.
New Zealand: Ara Music Arts Christchurch, Riverside Jazz Club, 03 Sessions, Dunedin Jazz Club
Japan: Tokyo Jazz Festival, Iwate Jazz Festival
Bangkok: AloneTogether, Smalls, FooJohn, Siwilai Sound Club