Auckland
Saxophone Lessons | Clarinet Lessons, Flute Lessons | Theory Lessons, Composition Lessons
Bio
I am lucky to have enjoyed a diverse, 20+ year portfolio career on many instruments including (but not limited to) clarinets, saxophones, flute, recorders, Irish whistles, piano and vocals. Performance experience includes orchestral, jazz and original material. I have been employed by the territorial Band of the Wellington and Hawkes Bay Regiment and the full time Royal New Zealand Navy Band, been lead saxophonist for the Mercury Bay Big Band and am currently lead saxophonist and vocalist for Downbeat Big Band alongside several other freelance musical projects. I have also been a guest conductor for community choirs and led a community ukulele group.
I am an active composer and arranger whose experience includes Auckland Philharmonia; several concert bands including New Zealand Youth Symphonic Winds; Howick Brass; Saxcess professional saxophone quartet (Wellington); Cairo Club Orchestra (Melbourne); violinist Sarah Curro (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra); tenor singer Benjamin Makisi’s international cruise ship engagements; my original woodwind album Grooves Unspoken (recorded live in association with Auckland Fringe Festival, for broadcast by Radio New Zealand Concert). In 2023 I completed a new piece for pianist Sharon Vogan Cawston’s CD release of fresh New Zealand music, and 2026 brought my first composer residency through Wairua Sinfonietta.
From 2016 to 2018 I attained my full (and still current) registration with the New Zealand Teaching Council through the full-time position of Specialist Music Teacher at Mercury Bay Area School, during which I directed and arranged for a couple of the school bands and vocal groups and taught specialist woodwind, vocals and keyboard. Following subsequent experience as a primary classroom music teacher, I am now focusing on my private teaching studio alongside my itinerant work in Auckland schools.
Teaching highlights from 2026 so far:
– Auckland Grammar School Big Band (for which I lead saxophone and brass sectionals): selection for the final of the Auckland Secondary School Jazz Competition
– Distinction exam results from my private studio
– successfully assisting a brain-injured student towards performance of a favourite piece of music for their NCEA assessments, when they had previously spent years trying to sustain a sound
Available to teach private students in Māngere Bridge.
Teaching Info
I tailor my lessons to each and every student, fundamentally believing that a comprehensive education incorporating musical literacy, playing by ear, improvisation and a diverse range of styles ultimately creates a holistic musician. I am patient but firm, believing in the ability of each and every student to reach their fullest potential.
Please contact me for further info including pricing (only genuine enquiries please – contact of an inappropriate or unwarranted nature will not be tolerated).
"Yvette's passion for all types of music show through in her teaching... I loved the way she could easily change pace to suit my learning and comfort... She allowed me to focus on the styles I loved, yet challenged me to progress as a musician and step out of my comfort zones. She is extremely approachable, making it easy to ask questions and really enjoy every session."
