Former TSoM Student Spotlight - Rachel Carson

Written By Kim Manunui

We love hearing about what former Taupō School of Music students are up to, especially those who have perused a career in music.
Recently we sent a few questions to Rachel Carson, this is what she had to say.

  • How old were you when you started at the Taupō School of Music? 7 years old.

  • What instrument did you start on? Flute.

  • What instrument did you learn at the School of Music? Flute & Keynotes Choir.

  • How did School of Music impact your life? Taupō School of Music was where my musical journey truly began, giving me the foundation and encouragement to pursue my passion. The opportunities I had there, starting with the flute, and singing in Keynotes Choir built my confidence and inspired me to continue making music through high school, studying Performance Voice at University, and then heading into a teaching degree to educate in Secondary Schools.

  • How is music part of your life now? Music is at the heart of everything I do as Assistant HOD of Music at Westlake Girls High School in Auckland. I am in my 9th year of teaching, conduct Cigno Voce choir, and have musical directed and performed in a range of Music Theatre shows in the last ten years. I’m also deeply involved in leading curriculum design, NZQA and touring with students on music trips overseas and around NZ, keeping me completely immersed in music-making.

  • What is your greatest musical experience or achievement to date? My greatest musical achievement is building a career that I’m truly passionate about, where it never feels like I’m working because I love what I do. It’s incredibly rewarding to be creative, empowering, and to inspire teenagers as they grow in their own love and passion for music.

  • Anything you would like to add? Take every music opportunity you can, because each experience will help shape your confidence and passion in what you do. Keep an open mind, give your best effort, and enjoy the journey - you never know the doors music may open for you.

 
Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

The digital world is never static and neither are we.

And I say ‘we’ because I work with an awesome group of talented people who I gather together as required to complete a project.  Whatever your business, not-for-profit or individual needs are we gather the best team to get the job done.

Collaboratively we are creative, share sustainable values and work hard for great outcomes because that’s the buzz of satisfaction that drives us.

If you have an audience and market to reach, we can make that happen. Creative design, words that work and smart behind the scenes stuff that cuts through the online noise. We’ll design your website and then build it. We’ll manage the content as well as all your hosting needs. We can handle your online advertising so you get noticed,
and we’ll manage your social media presence so you get the clicks, likes and engagement to grow your business. All within the budget you set, because none of this needs to cost the earth.  And the job doesn’t stop when your website goes live. We are your virtual business partner.

https://www.korio.co.nz
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The Big Music Day