Music Tuition

Adrian Brown is a professional guitarist and music tutor with over 9 years of teaching experience. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Jazz Performance from the University of Auckland in 2021.

As a performer, Adrian has played across the country with various groups such as The Hipstamatics and the Auckland Jazz Orchestra. He also leads his own band, performing often at the Creative Jazz Club, Ponsonby Social Club, and many other venues throughout New Zealand.

Since 2022, Adrian has worked as an Itinerant Guitar Teacher, teaching at schools throughout Auckland such as Pinehurst School, ELIM Christian College, Aorere College, Kingsway and Green Bay High School. Adrian loves nothing more than to see his students thrive and develop a passion for playing music.

MMus, BSc, DCS, PGDMM

Ben is a classically trained jazz pianist, composer and arranger. He has a Masters Degree in Music majoring in Jazz performance from the
University of Auckland. He also has degrees in Physics, Computer Science and Business Management. Ben gave up a successful career in Foreign
Exchange, Travel Management and Advertising to make music a full time career choice.

Ben has performed at concerts and events in over 25 countries and is an award- winning composer for jingles, TV shows and movies. He is also the pianist on call for events and functions hosted by the Governor General of New Zealand.

He has released 9 Albums of his music here in NZ and his music is available on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, and most other streaming platforms.

Ben is an experienced music teacher and teaches music at Pinehurst School, Rangitoto College, Rosmini College, Stella Maris School and St
Mary’s School, Northcote. He conducts regular workshops on jazz improvisation in New Zealand and overseas. He has done workshops for
ABRSM and IMRT (Institute of registered music teachers, Auckland), Music Works amongst many others. Also conducts jazz piano workshops every year in India for Furtados India.

Celina Reyes is a professional musician with more than 20 years of experience. In her native Argentina she won a professional full-time
position with the state] orchestra at the age of 23.

She later formed the renowned Xantara String Quartet and was a member of the Sinfonietta Martha Argerich as well as the Cordoba Ensemble. She attended the University of Cordoba and had the honour of complementing her studies with Clara Takarabe (Chicago Symphony), Ingeborg Scheerer (Cologne Hochschule für Musik) and Garth Knox (Ensemble Intercontemporain), among others.

The mother of two little kiwis, Celina has dedicated the last few years mostly to her family while always keeping music alive and close in her life.
Her part-time musical activity in New Zealand includes: being the Principal Viola of Manukau Symphony Orchestra since 2014 and a member of Bach Musica and Pipers Sinfonia. Celina is also the founder of the emerging Latino Strings ensemble.

Celina is an experienced music teacher with a friendly approach who always looks to adapt her lessons according to students’ needs and goals.

She taught in the Sistema programme in Argentina and at Pinehurst School, ACG Parnell and Glenfield Music Centre here in New Zealand.

Colleen Pope has been teaching at several schools on the North Shore since 1999. She studied classical piano at UNISA (University of South Africa) and has completed many jazz, general music and education papers at Massey University. Colleen teaches piano, recorder and theory of music.

She has many years of experience working with children who have special needs. Students who wish to participate in music exams are entered through Trinity College and/or ABRSM examining boards. In her spare time, Colleen runs a recorder consort for adults, practices a little yoga and enjoys reading.

Current projects include ukulele lessons for beginner adults as well as speakers of foreign languages where music is used as a medium to improve
conversational English.

Finn Scholes is a versatile musician, educator, and performer, teaching trumpet and tuba. With over a decade of teaching experience across Auckland schools and private tuition, he combines deep musical knowledge with a passion for inspiring students. A former Head Boy of Northcote College, Finn won national awards for jazz performance, composition, and arrangement before completing a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Jazz Trumpet at the University of Auckland. His career has taken him around the world, touring Europe and South Korea and sharing stages with acts such as Dizzee Rascal, The Prodigy, and Skunk Anansie.

Kelly has been teaching music as a full-time profession since 1995, both in Korea and New Zealand.

She studied Clarinet and Flute at Seoul National University in South Korea, and Jazz Piano at Massey University in New Zealand. She teaches Clarinet, Flute and Piano at Pinehurst and leads our Violin Ensemble, as well as teaching privately and coaching small ensembles and jazz bands.

Music is a big part of Kelly’s life and she gets great satisfaction when she sees her students exploring with their music. During lessons, she aims for her students to develop the following:
• A love and understanding of music
• Fulfillment through achievement
• Self-discipline
• Teamwork
• Intelligence
• Ear-training and listening skills
• Problem-solving skills

Lessons with Kelly will always cover technique, musicianship, and theory skills, all tailored to the individual needs of the students.

Kelly says, “I believe that learning to play an instrument should be fun and that a high standard of technique and musicianship lead to lifelong
enjoyment”.

Mark Close has degrees in Music, Politics & Town Planning.

After graduating from VUW in 1992 and following further study in the US, including at the Music Academy of the West, Mark returned to NZ in 1994 to take up the role of sub-principal Trombone with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, a position he held from 1994-2018. During that time he taught and performed extensively at various schools throughout the Auckland region.

Since leaving the orchestra, Mark has expanded his teaching hours and now teaches at seven high schools across Auckland, including Auckland Grammar, Rangitoto College and Kristin School.

Mark continues to perform with various music groups, including Bach Musica, and has spent many years directing and mentoring youth brass ensembles, most especially N Shore Youth Brass from 2018-2024. In addition, Mark has conducted Kumeu Brass, taking them to National D Grade Championship wins in 2015 & 2016, and the Auckland Base Band of the RNZAF (2017-2019). Mark is currently Music Director of Auckland City Brass, winning a clean sweep in the B Grade in 2022 and gaining promotion to the A Grade in 2024.

Mary studied music at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, where she completed a master’s in music (Ethnomusicology). Her performing instrument was percussion, with flute and piano as secondary instruments. Mary particularly enjoyed playing in several award-winning Symphonic Wind Ensembles, both in South Africa and abroad. She has played in various festivals, productions and music tours in Southern Africa and the United Kingdom.

Mary started instrumental tutoring as an undergraduate and discovered she really enjoyed developing young musicians, teaching in the government development programme and at prestigious South African private schools. Since immigrating to New
Zealand in 1999, Mary has taught orchestral and ethnic percussion, as well as rock and jazz drumming as part of private school itinerant programmes and privately at home.

Mary is currently participating in community ensembles and theatre productions.

Na'amah Cheiban is a professional musician and teacher with over seven years experience in New Zealand's music industry. She earned her Bachelor of Music majoring in jazz performance from the University of Auckland in 2022 and is active as a solo artist as well as a member of various ensembles. Na'amah is also the co-founder and director of Wāhine In Jazz, an organisation dedicated to supporting the development of women in the jazz industry.

As a teacher Na'amah is committed to helping students improve their instrument technique, performance ability, self confidence, and general
musicianship skills. She currently teaches Vocals, Guitar and Bass at five schools across the Auckland region and also directs the school choir at
Pakuranga College and a vocal group at Rosehill College.

Trudy is a bit of a jack of all trades and certainly a master of them all. She is not only a talented piano teacher but she is also an accomplished flute and vocal performer who has been teaching at Pinehurst for a number of years.

She is a flutist and vocalist based in Auckland, New Zealand. She has performed at Jazz and Arts Festivals around the country with her band,
Mojave, as one of The Jazz Divas, and as a Sister of Swing. She has recorded and performed with The Rodger Fox Big Band, Black Sand Diva, Whirimako Black, Ishtar, King Kapisi, Many Hands, and on the sound track of the 2013 New Zealand film, Mt Zion. She has also toured internationally to Australia, Singapore and Korea.

Trudy completed a BMus in Classical performance at Victoria University in 1991, studying with Dr Alexa Still. She then took up the position on Associate Principal Flute with Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. She became the first jazz flutist in New Zealand to complete her Masters of Music in jazz performance. She has released two albums, Ristretto and Well Dressed Standards, both of which are available on iTunes, Amplifier, CD Baby and Bandcamp. Both of these releases combine Jazz standards with Latin and other influences

Tom Dennison is a jazz bassist based in Tamaki Makaurau. He’s performed in small ensembles with Alan Broadbent, Mike Nock, Molly Ringwald, Roger Mannins, Frank Gibson Jr. After a stint in New York in he released his debut album Zoo on Rattle record, the result of a surplus of inspiration from seeing the greats play and getting lessons with Matt Penman, Larry Grenadier and many others.