Early Years
Originally from Blenheim, I started learning piano when I was nine. I learnt from Dorothy Payne who also taught my Mum. I studied piano to Grade 8 under Rewa Crawley (FTCL, QSM). Rewa was an amazing teacher and mentor, expanding my musicianship and music education during my teenage years. She encouraged me to learn other instruments (violin to grade 6 and bassoon to grade 4) and tutored me in accompanying singing and instrumentalists.
I played piano duets, piano trios, turned pages for professional touring pianists, performed at competitions and sat Trinity College of Music theory and practical exams. At Marlborough Girls’, I became the orchestra leader (1st violin 1st Chair), sang Soprano 2 in the auditioned choir La Chorodia, put together choral arrangements/medleys, participated in chamber music groups, and sat recorder ensemble exams with Trinity College. I also began teaching Piano privately and Recorder to groups of primary school aged children for the Marlborough School of Music Instrumental Classes. In my final year at Marlborough Girls’ College, I was awarded a number of music prizes and trophies.
University
- I completed a Bachelor of Music (MusB) at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch New Zealand in 1989, majoring in Music History and Analysis with 2 years Composition.
- While in Christchurch, I sang Soprano 2 with the Celebration Singers (an auditioned choir).
After Graduating
- Took up violin lessons to grade 6 with Marios Sophocleous (FTCL), and returned to live in Blenheim working in radio as a copy writer and then in print for The Marlborough Express.
- I was offered a fill-in role with the Blenheim Choral Society as one of their accompanists.
- At the same time I taught piano and set up a children’s choir at Nativity’s Anglican Church shortly before moving to Wellington in 1994.
Orchestras & choirs
- After moving to Wellington for my advertising career, I joined amateur orchestras playing 2nd violin for Tawa Orchestra and The Hutt Valley Orchestra. I taught piano in a small way.
- In 2010, I answered an ad in The Upper Hutt Leader and I began working with Joanne Roelofs, Musical Director of The Hutt Valley Singers as their rehearsal pianist/accompanist. I accompanied this choir for almost 8 years.
- With my friend and colleague Joanne, we formed The Major Minors Children’s Choir in 2012. This choir has now grown another vocal group, The Harmonic Minors- which is auditioned. I accompany both groups, help manage them and design their website and publicity.
Teaching & Further Study
- Began teaching piano in person again in 2017.
- 2018 began teaching piano online.
- January 2020 Attended Piano Pivot Live hosted by Tim Topham – Top Music Pro in Melbourne. Invited to be on his panel as a guest speaker to talk about growth as a teacher and with students.
- May 2021- resigned from a management role in advertising support operations at Stuff to teach piano full time.
- Provisional Member of the Institute of Registered Music Teachers (NZ) and I help out with the Wellington branch web design and social campaigns.
- March 2023 completed The Foundation Course with the Institute of Registered Music Teachers which included teacher observation.
- Currently I am studying for further piano qualifications and also studying for a certificate in Developmental, Learning & Behavioural Disorders in Children & Adolescents.
