Violin Viola ITM Nicky currently wears many hats, from teaching the violin to performing, coordinating events to directing the Forte unit of ITMs. Her passion is to keep learning and growing as a musician whilst providing opportunities for others to experience all that it is to be a performing musician.

Voice ITM Singing makes me feel happy and there’s nothing I want more than to unlock the door to enable students to find their true voice and share it with other’s, either in lessons or in a vocal group. There is nothing more powerful than singing your heart out and taking the audience on an emotional journey.

Guitar ITM My father taught me guitar when I was ten and I have been playing ever since. I performed as part of the Chch Jazz festival and currently am working with the Chch Smooth Jazz group ‘Frictionless’, Jazz/reggae/funk group ‘Wranglin’ and ‘Sophisticated Lady’ jazz duo with Nanako Sato. I have provided accompaniment for multi-platinum artist Yulia since 2015, and played guitar on her live CD recording in 2017.  I have a particular passion for teaching beginners and jazz improvisation.

Woodwind ITM I can't remember a time when music wasn't part of my life and I consider myself extremely fortunate to be spending my time making music and sharing my passion with others. I absolutely love working with students and exploring how learning an instrument, or being part of an ensemble, enhances life and teaches us so much about ourselves.

Voice ITM I have been singing since I could talk! I have spent my life living and breathing Music. As a classically trained, “contemporary” vocalist I have a strong understanding of technique but a love for the more modern styles. I think versatility is a brilliant skill to have and I encourage students to try a variety of genres. It is a privilege seeing students feel proud of their musical development, build confidence in front of an audience and develop a life long love of Music.

Brass ITM Antonio was born and educated in Bulgaria, and completed with distinction a Master’s Degree, majoring in French Horn. Antonio enjoys teaching all brass instruments to students in schools.

Percussion ITM My passion is playing drum kit and 4 mallet tuned percussion. I enjoy all styles of music from Contemporary, Jazz, World Music, Brass Band and Classical. I perform all of these styles of music and enjoy sharing my knowledge with my students.

Violin / Viola and Piano ITM Playing music takes me to my happy place. I love performing and want my students to enjoy these instruments as much as I do. There's nothing quite like getting lost in the music that you're playing and being transported to another time, place and universe.

Woodwind ITM Rachael is a passionate jazz saxophone player/teacher. She is involved with bands such as The All Girl Big Band, Rhomboid and Themeta to name a few. She is always working on new instruments to expand her knowledge and share the love of music with her students.

Bass Guitar ITM Mike has been playing electric bass guitar since 1988 and has been teaching professionally since 2000. He can be found performing anything from jazz to metal at venues up and down the country!

I have enjoyed playing many different instruments from Flute, to Cello, to even Drums, but the instrument that has taken my heart is the Euphonium. Much of my time outside of teaching brass here at Forte is spent preparing for brass band competitions and concerts, or composing my own works. Music has the power to change how you're feeling in an instant and make you forget what else is happening in your life, so it's a great privilege to be able to help pass this on to our ākonga.

Voice ITM Singing and playing instruments together were my family activities. I knew from age 15 that I wanted to teach and share my love of music with young people. My passion for singing has taken me all around the world. Learning to sing is more than just mastering technique. It provides an emotional release and develops a sense of security and provides a way to express feelings that they might not be able to verbalise. Singing has been shown to improve our sense of happiness and well-being.

Drums ITM Joe joined the Forte team in 2019 as one of our amazing drum teachers. He has a passion for percussion!

Tēnā koutou katoa, Kai te mihi ahau ki te mauka whakaruruhau ko Te Pahuri o Te Rakipohika. Tēnā koe e te awa e rere nei ko Ōpoho. Nō Ōtepoti ahau. Ko Rachael tōhuku ikoa. Ko tēnei tāhuku mihi ki kā tākata whenua o te rohe nei. Tēna tātou katoa. I hold a Bachelors in Music & Masters in teaching from Otago. I specialise in classical clarinet, but am passionate about all areas of performance (music, theatre & dance). I advocate strongly for inclusive, adaptable and considerate education.

Brass & Piano ITM Having worked as a professional musician across various countries, I have been privileged to experience firsthand the profound impact music can have. I teach because I believe that music has the extraordinary ability to uplift and inspire, allowing individuals to express themselves creatively. My diverse experiences inform my teaching approach, enabling me to provide a rich and nuanced perspective that enhances my students musical education.

Violin / Viola ITM Kerrin Brizzell has been teaching violin many years in schools in NZ and the UK. She has been a member of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra since 1979 and she spent 15 years living in the UK where she played a lot of folk music in clubs, and at festivals around the UK.

Strings ITM I love the cello and its expressive qualities. Nothing makes me happier than sharing my knowledge with students and seeing the fulfilment it brings them.

Guitar ITM Cameron is a classical guitarist and teacher. He is passionate about musical performance and music education. He holds a Master of Music in classical performance from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Teaching and Learning from the University of Canterbury.

Guitar ITM Steven is passionate about composition and improvisation. I aim to give students the skills necessary to have freedom on their instrument in many musical settings.

Strings ITM

Voice ITM Music has been an important part of my life from a young age and it has brought me so much happiness and personal fulfilment throughout my life. It is my great pleasure to help students similarly explore their passions and enrich their lives through music. I genuinely believe that everybody can sing and that involvement in music is one of the best gifts a student can give themselves.

Voice ITM I have always loved the performing arts, especially singing and the way it makes me come alive. Singing has enabled me to express and experience some of the greatest joys and process the hardest moments of life. I am equally passionate about aiding others to grow in their own musical expression and share their gift of song with the world.

Piano ITM Music has always been part of my life: listening to it, singing and playing. I learned to play the piano and violin, and sang in choirs while at school, and continued with further tertiary study beyond then. I aim to teach students to read music, and to learn the technical skills of piano playing and interpretation. I hope that they enjoy playing the piano now, and continue playing in the future, all the while developing a lifelong love of music.

Strings ITM A recent honours graduate from New Zealand School of Music, Grace has performed as a soloist and in ensembles across the country. She is very passionate about nourishing musical ability and helping create a positive relationship with discipline and creativity.

Brass ITM

Piano ITM Marie’s love of music and of playing the piano includes classical, rock and jazz. Her involvement in musical theatre has included being pianist, repetiteur and also musical director. As a teacher she is passionate about helping her students achieve their potential and develop their love of music.