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Singing, Drama, and Music School
Meet Our Teachers
Meet our dedicated team of passionate professionals, committed to bringing creativity and excellence to everything we do. Learn more about each tutor below!
Jacqueline is a classically trained singer and qualified pianist who has performed shows and recitals in London, and has performed at various venues in Christchurch.
She has helped students achieve significant success in their NCEA exams, in auditions and provides high quality specialist tuition. She also has students competing on the international stage!
She loves bringing the joy of music to her students while developing their confidence and skills!
Our Tutors
Our tutors are passionate, talented, and dedicated to nurturing every student’s creative journey. With diverse backgrounds in music and drama, they bring expertise, energy, and enthusiasm to every lesson and class. Committed to fostering confidence, self-expression, and artistic growth, they inspire students to explore their unique voices while developing their skills in a supportive and engaging environment.
Piano and Guitar
Ethan
Ethan is a Christchurch-based musician, composer, teacher and performer. He has experience performing in bands on piano, guitar and also as a lead vocalist locally and around the South Island.
Having graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Music Arts, Ethan enjoys teaching piano/keyboards, guitar, ukulele and vocals to all, young and old, and helping people experience the beauty and blessings that music has given him during his life!
Drums
Sam
Sam has helped budding drummers find their musical feet on the drums for over 25 years.
Although born in Christchurch, Sam has mainly lived overseas teaching and performing in Dubai, Canada, USA, Japan and Korea. He is a versatile musician who loves playing all styles of music. Sam provides practical and fun lessons whilst covering the fundamentals and techniques necessary to play and perform drums.
Whether the student is playing drums as a hobby or they want to pursue music as a career, Sam is happy to help them on their way.
Guitar, Ukuele, and Bass
Hamish
Hamish is a Christchurch-based musician, teacher and performer. He has a Bachelor of Contemporary Performance (with honors) and specialises in contemporary performance based in rock and pop genres, and jazz based harmony/theory.
He will be offering both adult and children’s lessons. His tutorship could help you to nail that guitar solo, build your rhythm chops, develop improvisational skills and songwriting to help you on your journey to pursuing a musical career.
Drums
Jim
James Martin is a seasoned professional drummer and dedicated drum teacher with over 52 years of experience behind the kit. His career has taken him on tour along the East Coast of America, performing with two high-energy traveling bands.
The first specialized in Top 40 hits and Southern rock, while the second showcased a dynamic mix of pop, hip hop, blues, and funk. James brings this diverse musical background into his teaching, offering students not just technical skill, but also the groove, versatility, and stage confidence that only decades of live performance can provide.
Singing, Guitar and Piano
Liz
Liz Bolwell is an experienced and passionate music tutor and music therapist based in Christchurch. Liz works with individuals and groups of all ages and abilities, supporting personal growth, creativity, confidence, and musical skill development.
With a strong background in music therapy and education, Liz specialises in building genuine musical connections that help people feel safe, encouraged, and capable. Her teaching style is inclusive, supportive, and tailored to each person’s needs and goals.
Liz offers tuition in keyboards, rhythm guitar, and voice performance, with a strong focus on confidence and enjoyment in music-making. She also has extensive experience working with clients with neurological conditions, community groups, schools, rest homes, and wellbeing programmes.
Liz holds a Master’s degree in Music Therapy from Victoria and Massey Universities, as well as qualifications in education and teaching.
Piano and Violin
Sophie
Sophie is a patient and friendly music tutor dedicated to helping students develop strong musical skills and confidence. She supports students in improving their musical knowledge, instrumental technique, and overall musicianship.
Sophie teaches music reading and aural skills using the Kodály concept, building a solid foundation in rhythm, pitch, and listening. She works with children of different ages and abilities, tailoring lessons to suit each student’s learning style.
Known for her clear communication, Sophie works closely with both students and parents to support steady progress. She also organizes an annual student recital to give learners valuable performance experience.
In addition to teaching, Sophie provides professional piano accompaniment for flute and violin students for exams and competitions.
Guitar, Ukuele, and Piano
Reuben
Reuben is a Christchurch based music teacher with a Bachelor of Jazz guitar.
With a deep understanding of music theory, jazz, and guitar techniques, he enjoys helping students learn their favourite songs, mastering solos/improvisation and improving their overall playing.
Vocal Coach
Nicole
Nicole Hannen is a versatile vocalist and passionate music educator with a Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice from the New Zealand School of Music. She has extensive experience performing at weddings, corporate functions, and special events, as well as professional work with Silhouette Pro Events, Toi Toi Opera Company, and NZ Opera. Nicole teaches both classical and contemporary styles, focusing on healthy technique, confidence, and expressive artistry. She believes singing is deeply connected to our overall wellbeing, and her warm, supportive approach helps students grow at any level as they discover their unique voice with clarity, creativity, and joy.
Keyboards, acoustic guitar, bass guitar and drums
Hazel Brown
As a singer/songwriter, Hazel Brown's primary instruments are bass guitar and acoustic guitar, supplemented by her expertise in keyboards and percussive instruments such as drums and cajon. Her musical repertoire includes original songs and innovative renditions of classic and contemporary hits, all delivered with a soulful flair. With two albums released and available for streaming online, Hazel Brown is presently focused on live performances, both solo and with her band, at various venues in and around Christchurch.
She loves teaching and bringing the joy of music to students of any age!
Musical Theatre
Jess
Jess strives to create a supportive and engaging environment where students can develop their skills, express themselves, grow confidence, and shine on stage. She holds a Certificate of Performing Arts from the National Academy of Dramatic Arts and a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary) from the University of Canterbury. She has seven years of experience teaching performing arts. This includes drama, musical theatre, vocals, acting.
She is also a primary school teacher and this allows her to bring both industry expertise and educational knowledge to her teaching. Jess's training spans jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, hip hop, ballet, and tap dance, allowing her to offer a well-rounded approach to performance.
Singing, Piano and Drama
Ruth
Ruth has been playing piano since the age of six and has been singing for as long as she can remember. She has gained a wide range of experience by performing in musicals and participating in bands and choirs in both Christchurch and Hawke’s Bay. She is currently working towards a Bachelor of Music at the University of Canterbury and majoring in performance with Classical Voice.
Ruth is delighted to be returning to Singing Stars, this time as a tutor, after having her first singing and drama lessons with the school in it’s early days which began her love for performing.
Musical Theatre
Ruthie
Ruthie has been dancing since the age of three, training in almost every style, including contemporary, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and more.
She has competed across New Zealand and Australia, gaining extensive experience in both competition and performance. Her passion for the performing arts has led her to the stage at the Court Theatre, where she has had the privilege of performing in various productions.
Currently, Ruthie is studying a Bachelor of Communications at the University of Canterbury, specializing in Strategic Communications and Marketing. She is passionate about combining her love for dance and performance with storytelling and creative strategy, bringing artistry and expression to everything she does.
Drama
Isabel
Isabel is passionate about drama and loves seeing students grow in confidence. She has been involved with the arts from a very young age and it has become a massive passion of hers. She has experience in a variety of productions across Christchurch, from Shakespeare plays to musicals, providing her a well-rounded background in the arts.
Isabel believes in creating an environment where students feel encouraged to express themselves and develop a love for the arts. She was previously a student at Singing Stars and she is super excited to teach where she once learnt.
Drama
Lola
Lola Houghton is an actress, creator and artist. She has experience and background in educational support, theatre, and the creative arts. Her roles have spanned working with children in various educational settings, assisting in theatrical productions, and performing in both theatre and film. In the theatre, she has gained valuable experience as an actor, assistant director, and assistant drama teacher, contributing to the development and execution of successful productions.
She graduated Unitec in 2023 with a
Bachelor in Performing Arts for Screen and Theatre, receiving a scholarship to study Commedia dell’Arte at Scuola Sperimentale dell’Attore in Italy the following year.
Lola has always loved the process of creating in theatre and is looking forward to continuing to foster engaging and creative learning.
Drama & Musical Theatre
Tom
Tom is a drama assistant and aspiring educator with years of community theatre experience.
Currently studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary), he enjoys helping students develop confidence, creativity, and communication skills through drama
As well as teaching with Singing Stars, Tom is also well versed with microphones and Stage Manages on the side.
Technical coach - Acting & Performance One-on-one Acting Coach
Josiah
Josiah Morgan offers 1-on-1 coaching for auditions, exams, competitions and more. 1-on-1 sessions are designed on an ad-hoc basis to meet client needs. Sessions can cover technical skills, vocal and breath control, acting theory, acting technique, physical characterisation as well as audition strategies.
With a focus on either Stanislavsky's Method or Meisner Technique, Josiah gives you tools to create your own embodied, realistic and memorable performances.
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Admin and Drama
Magenta
Magenta has loved drama since she was a child and is now thrilled to share her passion by teaching young performers the art of acting. She is heading to Las Vegas this year to compete in WCOPA, a milestone she has reached through dedication, hard work, and a deep love for performance.
