Christchurch
Artist development | French Horn Lessons, Trombone Lessons, Trumpet Lessons, Violin Lessons
Bio
Principal Second Violin and Acting Associate Principal Horn of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Arna & Alex Morton are thrilled to be offering premium violin and brass lessons to passionate learners from their new central location: Studio 10 at The Piano: Centre for Music & The Arts.
With a strong understanding of performance psychology and the science of learning, Arna and Alex ensure their students develop not only an excellent technical and musical foundation, but a practice ethos to ensure that the lessons stick.
In 2020, Arna & Alex Morton co-founded The HIIP Method™ Online Course to coach budding musicians in the art of efficient and effective practice. In 2021, Alex and his wife Arna have since developed the programme to offer live trainings and 1:1 coaching on the method, and the course has debuted at an institutional level through the renowned Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School.
ABOUT ARNA
Newly appointed as Principal 2nd Violin of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Arna Morton is thrilled to be home performing for New Zealand audiences after completing her PhD in Violin Performance at the University of Melbourne, following the completion of both Bachelor and Master of Musical Arts degrees at the New Zealand School of Music under the tutelage of Associate Professor, Helene Pohl.
Using a critical, reflexive approach, Arna’s PhD research examined the development of a highly-personal interpretive methodology that aimed to create personal authenticity in her musical interpretations and performances, with a significant focus on Britten’s Violin Concerto, which she performed with the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 2016 as winner of the 2015 MCM Concerto Competition.
Arna was also a prizewinner in the 2016 Gisborne International Music Competition and joint-winner of the 2013/14 New Zealand National Concerto Competition, going on to perform both Szymanowski’s First Violin Concerto and Ravel’s Tzigane with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.
As a chamber musician, Arna is a founding member of the internationally-acclaimed ensemble, The Morton Trio, performing regularly alongside her husband and horn player, Alex Morton, and fellow-Kiwi pianist, Liam Wooding. In 2019, The Morton Trio toured the United Kingdom with the Royal-Overseas League, performing at esteemed venues such as St Martin’s in the Fields and St James Piccadilly, as well as a New Zealand tour with Chamber Music New Zealand.
As an educator, Arna has taught violin from beginners in her home studio all the way up to a tertiary level through her role as Casual Lecturer in Violin at the University of Melbourne from 2015-2020. In 2021, Arna was also a chamber music coach for young ensembles through Chamber Music New Zealand and Burnside High School’s Special Music Programme.
ABOUT ALEX
Alex is a horn player & music educator who is in demand across Australia and his native New Zealand as a soloist, chamber, and orchestral musician, currently performing as Tutti Horn in the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.
In 2017, he completed his studies at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), under the tutelage of Sydney Symphony Principal Horn, Ben Jacks, and Los Angeles Philharmonic Principal Horn, Andrew Bain.
Alex has held contracts with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (Associate-Principal Horn) and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (Tutti Horn), and freelances regularly with all the major orchestras throughout Australasia, including the Sydney, Queensland, and New Zealand Symphony Orchestras, and most recently appearing as Guest Principal with Orchestra Victoria.
As a chamber musician, Alex has performed at both the Ukaria Festival in Adelaide and the Bendigo International Festival of Exploratory Music, and is also a member of the internationally-acclaimed ensemble, The Morton Trio, with his wife & violinist, Arna Morton, and pianist, Liam Wooding.
Teaching Info
Here’s What To Look Forward To:
1:1 Premium Music Education
Be inspired learning from highly-qualified industry professionals, in person at our Christchurch studio or online!
Tailored Lesson Programmes
We take great care in tailoring personalised lesson and practice plans to meet the unique needs of each individual student. Students also get direct access to our unique practice philosophy, The HIIP Method™, which we weave into their lesson plan.
Supportive & Nurturing Mentorship
Quality music education is both incredibly rewarding and challenging, and it is our pleasure to guide our students through their musical journey with compassion and care, helping them to work towards their performance goals, whilst developing an abundance of transferable life skills along the way.
We are excited to guide you on your musical journey, if:
– You’re passionate about music.
– You’re open to trying new ideas and approaches.
– You’re craving more consistency and reliability in your technique.
– You’re ready to level-up your personal voice as a musician.
– You want to overcome the mental blocks that currently prevent you from enjoying your craft, be it practicing or performing.
– You want to fast-track your progress whilst building a sustainable practice routine that is both fun and challenging through Morton Music’s innovative practice approach, The HIIP Method™.
“Arna, I really appreciate everything that you have done to help me! You’re such a supportive teacher and have the best teaching approach that I have come across so far. I have definitely felt my own improvement and always enjoy coming to lessons!”
Petra Radmanovic | Christchurch, New Zealand
“I’ve so appreciated Alex’s enthusiasm and passion whilst tutoring my son. He took him from ‘ho hum’ to an A-Honours Pass in his latest AMEB exam. Better than that though, Alex’s approach and style has my son actually LIKING his music teacher! I also love the online Zoom lesson structure, which means I don’t need to be the taxi service, plus Alex can record the session, which enables us to review tricky segments. Thanks Alex!”
