Kia ora!
I'm Kathryn,
a music educator specialising in piano, music theory and composition.
Kia ora!
I'm Kathryn,
a music educator specialising in piano, music theory and composition.
I’m based in Rotorua, New Zealand, where I work from my home studio in Springfield, online and in local high schools. I give piano lessons, teach music theory and create online music courses.
Experience
I have 30 years of experience across various areas of music education and this has helped me to develop a practical understanding of how different students learn and how to bring out the best in each of them.
I’ve taught in secondary schools, directed bands and orchestras, taught pre-schoolers at Yamaha Music School, contracted to NZQA and the Ministry of Education, and provided private lessons to students of all ages, including adults.
In this time, some students have gone on to achieve remarkable things in the music world - past students include: Celeste Oram, Claire Filer, Georgia Lines, Naomi Ludlow (Ny Oh), Anna Lee and Dominic Lee.. But, just as meaningful to me, are the everyday successes that I get to witness - students learning to play a favourite piece, overcoming nerves to perform in a concert or exam or simply gaining the confidence to really enjoy music as a creative outlet.
I believe that learning music adds value to your life. It provides opportunity to develop your mind, your capacity to think creatively, and to find enjoyment and connection with others.
Education
My own education is in classical piano and composition. I studied piano with Tamas Vesmas at Auckland University in the 1990s. Alongside this, I studied composition with John Rimmer, John Elmsly, Eve de Castro Robinson, and David Hamilton—an experience that developed my grasp of musical structure, instrumental colour, and sparked a lasting love of contemporary music. These studies continue to shape my teaching, especially when helping students interpret repertoire or explore composing their own music.
While at university, I was awarded a BMus (Hons, First Class), received the Hollinrake Memorial Scholarship, Bishop Music Scholarship, and Senior Music Prize. My compositions were recognised nationally and internationally, with a piano work selected to represent New Zealand at the 17th Asian Composers League Festival in Thailand, prize-winning entries in the Lilburn Trust Composition Prize Concerts, and an orchestral work performed by the Auckland Philharmonia
What I do now
For the last 13 years, I've loved being based in Rotorua, my home town. I am the accompanist for "Heights Tira Waiata" (Western Heights High School Choir) and am a Trustee for Orchestras Central.
While piano teaching remains at the core of my work, I also develop online learning resources to support students studying NCEA Music—an idea that grew out of a local school’s need for extra help with the Level 3 harmony external.
Drawing on my background in teaching, performing, and composing, I offer practical, thoughtful support to students. My goal is to meet each student where they’re at and help them grow in a way that’s clear, manageable, and enjoyable. To see how I might help you, take a look here.
If you’re interested in lessons, resources, piano accompanying or anything else I’ve mentioned here, I’d be happy to chat with you to see if I can help.