Music Education Specialist Available for Workshops, Classes and Consulting

I am a US-trained youth music education specialist, a very rare entity in New Zealand! My Bachelor's and Master's courses were rigorous programs of study in music pedagogy, performance and educational theory. What makes me particularly unique is that I have extensive training and experience  as a primary and early education music specialist; teaching singing, movement, instruments, ear training, improvisation and composition to children ages 3-12. I have an eclectic, personalized approach to music teaching, incorporating the Orff-Schulwerk, Kodaly, Dalcroze and Gordon techniques  and accomodating a wide range of learning styles.

My work and travels around the world have inspired me to incorporate and celebrate music of all cultures in my teaching. I have taught in the Czech Republic, Hawai'i and Japan and traveled to 60 countries. Currently I am doing coursework in Pacific Studies, with an emphasis on music and dance, at the University of Auckland.

My philosophy is that participation in music is essential for healthy families and communities. Unlike rigid Royal Academy of Music grades and other highly structured music curricula, my aim is to teach "music for life." Through singing, movement percussion, creation, and instruments like the guitar and 'ukulele, I enable my students to be lifelong learners and participants in music.

I train ECE and primary teachers in how to integrate music into their curriculum and empower them to teach music with skill and confidence. I also write and direct original musical productions for youth.

As a relative newcomer to New Zealand I am eager to be involved in community music festivals and productions and to support all of the music of New Zealand's rich and multicultural communities.

If you are interested in creating a studio class, organizing a workshop, or collaborating on a project, please get in touch!