If your child is taking option Music in Years 10–12, they must also receive vocal or instrumental tuition. This may be through private lessons or the school’s Funded Lessons programme, curriculum and high-priority instrument students are prioritised for funded lessons.
*For Year 13 Music students, lessons are recommended but not compulsory.
*Music lessons do not need to be taken with school tutors if students already learn with an external teacher.
Why are lessons compulsory?
- To provide a balanced musical education aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum.
- To develop the practical skills needed to contribute to music within the school and the wider community.
- To ensure students are properly prepared for the performance requirements of NCEA.
Conditions:
Funded lessons are available to students in Year 7-13.
Students receiving this funding are required to be enrolled in Music as a subject, and encouraged to join a school music group for the duration of the year. This is to provide the best possible musical education and application.
While families will not be charged for the lessons, costs may be incurred for instrument hire/purchase and some instruments require a small maintenance fee.
Students need to commit to the practice routine set by the tutor and attend lessons regularly.
Parents agree to:
Inform tutors ahead of time (preferably a week) if their child is going to miss a lesson, including trips, assessments etc.
Notify tutors of absence due to illness as soon as practically possible.
In consultation with the tutor, provide their child with appropriate resources to undertake the lessons (instruments, practice space/time etc.).
By applying for Funded Lessons you are agreeing to uphold the conditions stated.
Below is the Funded Lessons information. Please contact PAC@middleton.school.nz to enquire about funded lessons and check if your child might be ellegible.
The Ministry of Education provides Middleton Grange School with funding for instrumental and vocal tuition. This funding supports both the compulsory curriculum lessons and a limited number of Additional Funded Lessons for students in Years 9–13. These lessons are intended to develop the skills needed in our school performance groups and are therefore prioritised for high-demand instruments.
High-priority instruments are usually taught individually. As such, spaces are limited and prioritised for the following instruments:
– Saxophone
– Violin
– Trumpet
– Trombone
– Voice
– Flute
Some students may instead be eligible for a Funded Group Lesson. Group tuition provides a supportive peer environment with a focus on technique, ensemble awareness, and musicianship. These work particularly well for vocalists and guitarists, especially those beginning their musical journey or involved in choir.
Students receiving funded lessons are expected to join a school music group as soon as they are proficient and continue for the duration of the year. This ensures students are developing their skills within authentic performance settings. While lessons are free, families may need to meet costs related to instrument hire or purchase, and some instruments require a small maintenance fee.
Students must commit to regular practice and consistent attendance.
Additional funded lessons will be confirmed in Week 2 of Term 1, after curriculum lessons have been allocated. Applications can be made through the Sign-Up Sheet.
Families agree to:
- Inform tutors ahead of time (preferably a week) if their child will miss a lesson, including for school events or assessments.
- Notify tutors of absence due to illness as soon as practicable.
- Provide, in consultation with the tutor, the necessary resources for lessons (instrument, practice space and time, etc.).
By applying for Additional Funded Lessons, families agree to meet these expectations. Failure to do so may result in removal from the programme.
Itinerant Tutors visit the school to teach voice and a wide variety of instruments such as piano, drums, flute, saxophone, clarinet, violin, guitar, bass guitar, cello, double bass, trumpet and trombone.
Students wishing to sign up throughout the year should request up to date information from the music department or contact the tutor directly.
FEES
Tuition fees do not exceed $35 per lesson. You will need to consult your tutor regarding their fees structure; their contact details can be found in the tabs below.
Our Team
BMus (Performance)
Lana has been playing the baritone saxophone since she was 13. She developed her passion for music at school, jazz in particular, and then completed a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance at Massey University. Lana has worked in a 10-piece show band on cruise ships around North America and the Caribbean. She is currently enjoying teaching students and various groups both privately and as an Itinerant Music Teacher and Band Director in schools. Lana is the co-founder and Music Director of NZ’s first female big band “The All Girl Big Band”, and is also the Music Director of the “Garden City Band”. She plays in small groups, other big bands, and as a session musician for recordings and shows.
Cam has been a professional gigging musician since 2016, and also an experienced itinerant tutor, having worked in many Christchurch and rural schools. His passion for drumming was sparked over a decade ago as a student at Middleton Grange. He has since gone on to complete a Bachelor of Music Arts at Ara (Jazz School), majoring in Jazz performance on drums and jazz arranging at the end of 2017. Cam’s teaching methods are personal to each student, with emphasis on both reading and listening/playing by ear. Cam enjoys equipping young drummers with the skills they need to play in any and every context. He can be found drumming regularly in the city as part of various jazz ensembles and Pop/RnB/Funk bands, as well as serving on Sunday worship teams at Grace Vineyard church. He is also a member of the Eastercamp band ‘Satellite’.
Julian has been playing trumpet for over 35 years and continues to play professionally in various bands and as a composer and recording engineer. Julian attended Jazz School and recently majored in music at Canterbury University. He continues to teach privately and in schools and enjoys enabling students to find their voice. Julian has a broad experience of brass performance from traditional brass bands and orchestras to latin, soul, jazz and rock and continues a special interest in electronic manipulation of trumpet in composition.
ATCL
Julie has been teaching violin since 1981. She teaches privately, for the Ministry of Education, and has previously taught at the Christchurch School of Music. She has also played violin in the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra for the past 25 years. Julie is a committed teacher and enjoys both the technical and musical aspects of her teaching. Julie helps prepare students for ABRSM and Trinity College examinations with pleasing results. She encourages their musical journey and shares her passion of music with her students.
BMus (Hons)
Naomi Harmer started learning cello before she went to school. She studied at the University of Canterbury with Alexander Ivashkin, Natalia Pavlutskaya and Edith Salzmann, completing a Bachelor of Music with Honours in Performance and Music Education. Naomi has played and recorded with many different musical groups such as the Canterbury Cellists, Silencio and Resonance Ensemble. Naomi has taught cello and chamber music for many years at the Christchurch School of Music, the North Canterbury Academy of Music, many different schools around Christchurch and recently at the Pettman Junior Academy. She is a Registered Suzuki Cello Teacher.
Dip Mus (Performance)
Motoi teaches guitar to our Middle School & Senior College students. Motoi picked up guitar at the age of ten, and has been playing ever since. He studied at ATC Vision College School of Music for two years, and in 2010 completed his Level 7 Diploma in Performance Music. He has been teaching guitar at multiple schools in Christchurch since 2011 and works as a session musician. Motoi has worked for New Zealand artists such as Stan Walker, Ginny Blackmore, and Marley Sola.
M A (Hons), BMus, LTCL, DIP TCHG
Christine teaches guitar to our Primary School students. Christine has spent much of her adult life performing in schools, choirs, musical theatre orchestras and church, alongside teaching music and conducting various school/church choirs and orchestras. A passion for teaching leads her to enjoy preparing students for all piano/theory exams and all levels of NCEA piano perfor-mances. Christine encourages students to play a wide range of mu-sic styles, to practise good technique, and above all to understand artistic interpretation and enjoy the music!
Rob Daglish
Rob has been playing guitar for 12 years, bass 13 years and drums 18 years. He has been in countless bands supporting on guitar and bass and has studio experience producing recordings for himself and various other artists. He has been around the world playing music and producing. He lived in Melbourne for 2 years under a mentorship and immersing himself in the art of songwriting, production and mixing before accepting a 6 month voyage on a cruise ship playing bass guitar in a party band. He is now focusing full time on mixing and teaching music.
Susan Dollin
Mus.B(Hons), B.A, A.I.R.M.T
Susan has a First Class Honours degree in performance flute and has 25 years experience teaching flute, from beginner level through to diploma and university performance entry. She has a strong technical background ensuring students are learning great technique while having a focus on making lessons and repertoire enjoyable. She knows the power of creating positive relationships with students to foster confidence and provide inspiration for achievement.
As well as teaching Susan has done a lot of performing with CSO, Resonance Ensemble and chamber ensembles, is a tutor and auditioner for the Lions Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival, a tutor for Waitaki Summer Orchestra camp and has done a lot of ensemble conducting and coaching. She is very much looking forward to working with Middleton Grange flute students!
Dip Tch; B. Ed; L.T.C.L.; F.T.C.L. (Singing Performance); IRMT
Elizabeth is a Soprano who has performed widely as a soloist in New Zealand, and internationally in Australia, Asia and Europe. She has performed lead and supporting roles with Canterbury Opera, acted lead roles in Musicals in New Zealand and Australia, performed in chamber music and Oratorio, and enjoyed lighter moments with Jazz and Music Theatre. She currently teaches privately and is a secondary school drama teacher here at Middleton.
(BA) in Music Teaching
Marina has a lot of experience teaching violin and piano to students of all ages and abilities. Marina has been playing the piano and violin since she was 6. She has been classically trained following the best traditions of European Classical Music Education leading her to getting her Diploma (BA) in Music Teaching.
Marina has played in Chamber and Symphonic orchestras, and did spent some time touring and performing around central Europe.
Marina is very passionate about music and music teaching. She pays a lot of attention to piano foundation techniques, posture, hands positioning as these core elements affect further development and success of a young piano player. During her piano classes Marina tries to expose her students to a wide range of music styles, focusing on their artistic interpretation as well as good technique. Marina will methodically prepare your child to successfully sit the Trinity College Piano Grade Exams.
Marina believes that fostering a positive and fun learning environment will make her students celebrate their success.
M A (Hons), BMus, LTCL, DIP TCHG
Christine has spent much of her adult life performing in schools, choirs, musical theatre orchestras and church, alongside teaching music and conducting various school/church choirs and orchestras. A passion for teaching leads her to enjoy preparing students for all piano/theory exams and all levels of NCEA piano perfor-mances. Christine encourages students to play a wide range of mu-sic styles, to practise good technique, and above all to understand artistic interpretation and enjoy the music!
Lynley Fuglestad
BA Dip Tchg LTCL(Flute) LRSM(piano)
Lynley began learning piano at age 7 and then excitedly added flute playing, learning at school through the itinerant music programme. She has over 30 year’s experience teaching flute and piano in schools and privately, including previously teaching flute at Middleton Grange for 10 years. Accompanying school and community choirs and instrumental exams has been a significant feature of Lynley’s additional musical activities. Her musical skills and passion have been incorporated into church worship over her whole life.
Lynley loves introducing students to the fun and joy of instrumentalplaying and to a variety of musical styles. She adapts lessons to their needs, abilities and tastes and will carefully prepare students for Trinity or ABRSM exams as appropriate. Lynley is excited to help students thrive and succeed in their musical endeavours.
Rob Daglish
Rob has been playing guitar for 12 years, bass 13 years and drums 18 years. He has been in countless bands supporting on guitar and bass and has studio experience producing recordings for himself and various other artists. He has been around the world playing music and producing. He lived in Melbourne for 2 years under a mentorship and immersing himself in the art of songwriting, production and mixing before accepting a 6 month voyage on a cruise ship playing bass guitar in a party band. He is now focusing full time on mixing and teaching music.