If your child is taking option Music in Year 9-12, it is compulsory for them to also attend vocal/instrumental tuition. You may choose to enrol in private/individual lessons, or signup for Funded Group Lessons.
*This is optional for Year 13 Music students.
The Ministry of Education provides Middleton Grange School with funding for instrumental and vocal tuition. The Middleton Music Academy uses this funding to provide the best possible opportunities for classroom Music students to gain valuable musical skills and experiences. Group tuition allows students to learn in a supportive and inspiring environment. Students work with their peers to grow their own skill and musical understanding. There is a large emphasis on collaborative work and peer motivation facilitated by a specialist music tutor.
Purpose
To provide students with access to a comprehensive musical education in relation to the NZ Curriculum document.
To build specific skills and musical understanding that students will use as acts of service in the school and the wider community.
To adequately prepare students for the performance requirements of NCEA assessments.
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.
The Ministry of Education provides Middleton Grange School with funding for instrumental and vocal tuition. In addition to compulsory lessons for enrolled classroom music students, the Middleton Music Academy uses this funding to provide the additional opportunities for students to gain valuable musical skills and experiences. Funded lessons provide specific learning opportunities to develop instrumental skills needed in our school performance groups, and is therefore limited to sought after instrument roles.
As such, there are limited spaces, and funded lessons for Year 7-8 are only available for the instruments listed below.
– Saxophone
– Violin
– Trumpet
– Trombone
– Voice
Group tuition allows students to learn in a supportive and inspiring environment. Students work with their peers to grow their own skill and musical understanding. There is a large emphasis on collaborative work and peer motivation facilitated by a specialist music tutor.
Conditions:
Additional Funded lessons are available to pupils in Year 7-8.
Students receiving this funding are required to join a school music group, as soon as they are proficient, 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.
*These lessons will be confirmed in Week 2 of Term 1, after compulsory lessons have been allocated.
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 Additional Funded Lessons you are agreeing to uphold the conditions stated. Failure to meet the requirements may result in removal from the Funded Lessons’ 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 $30 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!
BMus (Jazz Performance/Composition)
Chris is a sought after and versatile bassist with a Bachelor of Musical Arts from Ara Institute of Canterbury. He has seven years of experience in bass tuition and performance: teaching in many schools around Canterbury and performing with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, The Court Theatre and at numerous music festivals around the country. Chris is passionate about helping students to learn the music they love.
Masters Degree in music Performance and teaching (Flute and Piano)
Natasha has spent much of her adult life performing in Perm Theatre opera and Ballet in Russia and touring Europe and United States with the Perm Orchestra, she has played musical Theatres, orchestras here in NZ as well, alongside teaching music.
Natasha’s passion for teaching leads her to enjoy preparing students for all Piano/ Music Theory/Aural/ ABRSM and Trinity music exams. Natasha just loves Music either playing or teaching and loves to share her vast knowledge and experience.
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!
Digital Music
Digital music involves creating music using computers, which is a rapidly growing and exciting musical pathway.
Lessons are tailored to students’ interests, and cover composition, creating drum beats, programming software instruments, recording and editing vocals, and mixing.
Students are encouraged to grow their creativity and skills in writing their own music through projects such as film scoring, remixing, and recreating songs of their choice. Students with an interest in writing their own music and/or singing will have plenty of opportunity to hone their skills and record their creations.
Lessons will be with Chris Wethey, an experienced musician, producer and songwriter. The main software used will be Garageband, Logic Pro and Ableton. Both individual and group lesson options are offered.
BMus (Jazz Performance/Composition)
Chris is a sought after and versatile bassist with a Bachelor of Musical Arts from Ara Institute of Canterbury. He has seven years of experience in bass tuition and performance: teaching in many schools around Canterbury and performing with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, The Court Theatre and at numerous music festivals around the country. Chris is passionate about helping students to learn the music they love.