Trombone, Trumpet, Recorder, Orchestra

Teaching is a powerful and transformative process, for both student and teacher. It cuts across cultures, languages and ages. In teaching trumpet, trombone and recorder and leading the TuM Orchestra, I do ensure that students learn theory, musical vocabulary and musical teamwork alongside the tunes. And most importantly, they should have fun and make friends.

Music was my special ‘thing’ growing up. As a socially awkward and very un-sporty child, I found my own place of belonging in the brass section. But I never dreamed I’d start a Music School! In 2014, on a wing and a prayer, Alison Price and I founded Lakes Community Music School. Now re-launched as Turn up the Music School, with an amazing team of Board members and great teachers, we’re beyond delighted to be able to help so many children on their musical journey of learning!

Piano

I am Kana, originally from Tokyo, Japan. I started studying music when I was five years old and attended Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo, graduating with a Bachelor of Art in Music in 1991. I achieved an ABRSM Diploma in piano performance in 2017, and I am an associate member of the Institute of Registered Music Teachers in New Zealand.

I have been living in Queenstown since 1996 and have been teaching the piano for more than 10 years, mainly during school term, also performing for the Queenstown public on occasion.

I am happy to teach a range of students, from beginner to advanced, for Classical, Pop & Jazz and also music theory at Wakatipu High School on Tuesday & Thursday.

Violin

Claire is an accomplished and experienced performer, teacher and singer/songwriter. She has played the violin and guitar for over 30 years and has been a member of many orchestras, bands and the traditional Irish music circuit. She has a BAHons, a diploma in Music Education and has been teaching violin and music theory to both adults and children for over 10 years.

Her lessons relay her passion for music, and are fun and enjoyable whilst productive.

Violin, Beginner Piano, Early Childhood Groups

Piano

Originally from Japan, I grew up with a piano because my mother was always teaching it to others at home.

Starting with lessons at five years old, I fell in love with the piano and carried on in my training for a further 15 years. Wanting to expand my musical knowledge, I joined school brass bands and began playing the trumpet and tuba for six more years. 

I have now been teaching piano for eight years, and as a professional pianist, I often play for special events and concerts. 

Currently, I am a member of a ukulele group as well as two choir groups as it is enjoyable for me to get to experience music with different people.

Piano & Voice

Hi, I’m Erandi Fernando, music teacher, and examiner from Sri Lanka. I have been teaching since 2005 as a private music tutor at home for beginners till London piano Diplomas. I have done LLCM , ALCM and ATCL in piano, theory of music and singing up to grade 8.

My passion is teaching and to see my students perform and enjoy music to the fullest making their families proud and happy. I also enjoy teaching solo singing and choirs as I know how much I enjoyed being in a group and singing with harmony. Training choirs and the brass band was what I loved the most in my school teaching career the most. I believe musicality is a gift brought from birth which has to be polished adding theoretical knowledge into practice.  today music has been my most favourite companion who walks with me everywhere I go.

Guitar

Studied Graduate Diploma in Contemporary Music from Southern Institute of Technology with specialization in Guitar and Music Education as a major subject. Been playing guitar for more than 10 years now and into teaching for more than a year.

Saxophone

Born and raised in Rochester, NY into a musical family, Alexander has had experience with both classical and Jazz from an early age. Always part of the school band as well as local jazz big bands, he grew up to study saxophone at the Eastman School of Music before switching degrees to Electrical Engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He has however been continuously active in music performance.

Alex moved to Queenstown in 2018 where he plays in several local groups including the Queenstown Jazz Orchestra as well as Alchemy. In addition to playing and teaching music, Alex also runs a woodworking business as well as working  for Shotover Systems in Frankton.

Guitar

Coming from Australia, Matty J picked up a guitar at age 12. In the first 6 months of teaching himself the instrument, he was playing guitar, bass and drums in 5 different bands – and then rapidly progressed to performing in pubs and clubs when he was only 14 years old! During this time, he formed the Gold record-awarded band Thirsty Merc, signed a major label deal with Warner Music, and spent the next 10 years touring all over the country.

Following on from the success of the band, he went into freelance Live and Studio session work, playing and recording for some of Australia’s biggest artists and studios, across all styles of music. In 2009, he was invited to perform in China, and since then has spent the last 10 years performing, musical directing, and managing bands all over the globe in top-level Clubs and Casinos, in countries such as China, Malaysia, Macau, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Bahrain, Dubai, and many more.

Having thousands of live performances over the years and a deep knowledge of all facets of the entertainment industry, he is a seasoned professional and lives to take his love for music and wealth of experience to teach Guitar, Bass, Studio Recording, and Music theory – and inspire the next generation of passionate young musicians in Queenstown!

Ukulele & Guitar
B.Ed, Dip Teach, ACET accredited.

Chris relocated to Central Otago after 34 years of teaching Primary School children in Southland Schools. Most of those years Chris had the added responsibility of the schools’ music teacher, or music specialist leading Teaching colleagues and writing school Curriculum plans. 

A highlight of her career as a school music teacher was conducting the World Vision Kids for Kids choir concerts in Invercargill and Gore, with Suzanne Prentice as the guest artist.

Chris gained ACET,  National  teaching  recognition in 2017 and again in 2018, for raising student achievement in the Arts and Literacy. 

In her personal time, Chris enjoyed performing as the lead singer in a variety of popular Invercargill bands, which stretched  over 30 years. She also played rhythm guitar or keyboard. She was a member of the Southland Musicians club and once, nominated for Entertainer of the Year. 

Chris teaches a variety of instruments, ukulele,  guitar, recorder, xylophone, junior percussion and African drumming, 

‘I truly believe music soothes the soul. It is a gift, a koha  that keeps giving. Playing music together strengthens social relationships, builds teamwork and is FUN. It is wonderful brain gym! Start your musical journey now. I can’t wait to meet you!

Flute

Dougie is an experienced flautist with over 30 years of experience 22 of which as principal flautist ‘The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland’ travelling worldwide as a performer. He studied at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall where he gained qualifications in performance and theory. 

He has lived in Queenstown for almost 10 years and has focused on his roots in Celtic music with local band ‘Hair of the Dog’.

Dougie can teach flute to all ages and has a fun approach to learning whilst encouraging students to reach their full potential.

Violin

Sheena has been playing violin for almost as long as she can remember. Her roots are in classical music, but she has also played fiddle music extensively, both in a Celtic rock band, and as a solo performer. She enjoyed solo spots with the City of Invercargill Pipe Band’s signature show, ‘Pipin’ Hot’ and plays regularly at weddings in the District.

Originally from Scotland, Sheena has called Queenstown home for over 20 years. During that time, she has been a member of the Central Otago Regional Orchestra, leading the orchestra from time to time. She is a founding member of Queenstown Party Orchestra – a group that performs contemporary and popular music, using (mainly) traditional orchestral instruments.

Sheena recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Contemporary Music at SIT. She has been a violin teacher with Turn Up the Music school since 2021 and loves helping others to learn and enjoy an instrument that has been such a massive part of her life.