Hi, I'm Chris Marshall. Surprisingly I've been playing the trumpet since I was at primary school, so should be a lot better than I am, but there was quite a long hiatus between when I left school and getting back into it as my children took up music.

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I have also branched out into other valved brass instruments like the Baritone Horn, Euphonium, Eb Horn and Tuba (the fingerings are all the same which makes life easy).

The trumpet is a good starting point for other brass instruments and it is pretty adaptable. That means that you should make as many friends as you lose by playing one.

I play in a few local groups, such as the Taupō Concert Band and Great Lake Big Band. Ensemble playing is a great way to have fun and learn more musicianship and I would recommend getting involved in groups whenever you have the time. I am also one of the tutors with the Taupō School Of Music Wind Band.

Hi, my name is Eden Chester. I have been part of the Taupō music community since I first learned the recorder at six years old, before moving on to the flute a year later. Taupō School of Music has played a significant role in my musical journey.

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I have been playing the flute for 16 years and the piccolo for the past six years. With the support of my former tutor—and now good friend—Carrie van der Zwaag, I achieved up to Grade 8 Flute Performance through the Trinity College London music examinations.

I enjoy the flute for its versatility across many musical genres, with Celtic music being a personal favourite. The flute can be enjoyed both as a solo instrument at home and as part of larger ensembles such as orchestras and concert bands. I also value the recorder as an important foundation instrument, as it helps develop breath control and prepares students for larger instruments such as the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, and saxophone.

I am currently in my final year of studying a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) at the University of Waikato and am excited to teach and support up-and-coming recorder and flute students, sharing both strong foundations and a genuine love of music.

Hi, I’m Emma Clark. I recently emigrated from the UK and since February 2018 I have been teaching keyboard for the Taupō School of Music. I also teach piano privately.

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I am passionate about group keyboard classes which aim to be social, fun and a great way to explore different aspects of music theory and performance together. We enjoy music games together and work on a wide range of pieces.

If you are keen to learn, bring your keyboard, music folder and enthusiasm along each week. I’d love to see you!

Jo has been playing music since she was 10 years old when she learnt the violin. A multi instrumentalist, she plays the violin, cello, guitar, bass guitar, piano and loves to sing.

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Her passion is working with younger students. She is the vocalist for the Great Lake Big Band as well as a number of other ensembles in Taupō. One of the high points in Jo's musical career was when she sang at a friends wedding in Hampton Court Palace when she lived in London.

Little known fact - Jo is a specialist dementia nurse by trade.

Hi. My name is Kaylene Carson and I've been a tutor for the TSoM for over 20 years. I am currently teaching our Music Makers and Ukulele classes. I am also the Director of the Keynotes Choir.

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I believe that all children should have the opportunity to participate in music, as the benefits are so positive for their development.

I regularly tell students that "Learning music makes you smarter. It’s a proven fact!"

Hi, I’m Kristy, and I’m excited to be teaching beginner keyboards at Taupō School of Music.

I began learning piano at the age of seven and completed Trinity Guildhall examinations through Grade 8. Throughout my school years, I was actively involved in a variety of bands and musical groups, performing both at school and in the wider community.

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In addition to piano, I play flute and percussion. I was a long-time member of the Taupō Youth Wind Band, performing first on percussion and later on flute. I’ve also been part of Big Music Day since primary school, playing keyboard, flute, glockenspiel and timpani. About ten years ago, I had the opportunity to do some term relief tutoring in recorder for Taupō School of Music.

I’m passionate about helping students build strong foundations in keyboard and music theory, while making lessons engaging and enjoyable!

Kia ora! Ko Pinky Dawson tōku ingoa. I started playing guitar at just five years old—I could hardly get my arms around the instrument! I remember the excitement I felt whenever my teacher played her guitar and I wanted to be just like her! So I studied her finger positions very closely and carefully, then I’d run home to practise those same chord shapes over and over and over again!

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I am a mum, specialist science and music teacher, singer-songwriter, and recording artist. I am thrilled to bring more than 25 years of music tuition experience to the Taupō School of Music. As Pinky la Rouge, I find immense fulfillment in songwriting and recording new tracks that blend my classical and folk roots with rock, pop, reggae, and dub. 

Having taught at primary and secondary schools across Aotearoa, as well as international schools in China and the Middle East, I am here to help our tamariki discover their musical talents by teaching them songs they actually love to play! So, whether your child is picking up a ukulele or guitar for the first time, or is ready to front their own rock band, let’s make music the highlight of their week!

Hi I'm Richard. I'm a Violinist and have been playing this instrument for over 20 years, along with Trumpet. I am a gratuate of the University of Auckland School of Music with Honours in Composition, where I composed for a variety of ensembles such as NZTrio and ACE Brass.

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While being back in Taupō, I've been involved in a range of ensembles such as the Taupō Concert Band, Great Lake Big Band, Taupō Brass Band and I love playing trumpet in the band “Skarpakazoo”.'

As well as teaching at the TSOM, I also conduct the Taupō Youth Orchestra and teach students at Taupō-nui-a-Tia College and Tauhara College, both individually and in ensemble sessions.

Hi - I’m Sarah Monro. I’ve been the Co-Ordinator for the Taupō School of Music since 2009. Together with the Principal, Jo Paull, and our brilliant Board, our aim is to make instrumental music tuition available for all children in our district.

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You will find me in our music school office each Tuesday or perhaps relief tutoring keyboard classes or being the relief accompanist for the Keynotes Choir.

I have a degree in organisational and intercultural communications as well as music. I currently teach piano to students at both of our local colleges. You will also find me accompanying many students for their Trinity exams and local performances throughout the year.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, being out on the lake, biking and playing pickleball!

H,i I'm Steve. I've been playing the guitar since I was 11 years old when I signed up for group guitar lessons run by the Ealing Council in London. I belong to the Registry of Guitar Tutors in the UK where I obtained a teaching diploma about 10 years ago.

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I'm a member of a number of bands in Taupō and regularly perform with either one of these bands or as a soloist.

Outside of music I love anything to do with water, either swimming, boating, fishing or paddle-boarding and I'm an avid sci-fi fan. My special unknown skill is juggling!

I have taught at the Taupō School of Music since it first began in the 80’s and still look forward to group music teaching there. Clarinet is my specialist instrument and is a good one when moving on from recorder.

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It is light enough to hold for the average nine year old and is a good introduction to the saxophone which is heavier and larger! Competent clarinet players are in high demand as this is the main instrument for a concert band.

As creator of The Taupō Youth Wind Band I have also seen the value of having a good percussion section. I have taught percussion for several years and have enjoyed seeing students get involved in this often overlooked area of learning.

Growing up in Matamata New Zealand, Monique’s passion for music emerged after learning the recorder at primary school. Later transitioning to classical flute, Monique went on to study a BMus degree at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington.

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Wishing to pursue music further, Monique completed a Masters degree of Music with first class honours under the tutelage of Uwe Grodd at the University of Auckland.

Whilst in Auckland, Monique regularly played with several ensembles including Manukau Symphony Orchestra, St Matthews Chamber Orchestra, Wairua Sinfonietta, and Blackbird Ensemble. Monique was awarded the principal flute position with the Royal New Zealand Navy Band in 2016. A memorable experience was playing at the Battle of Messines Commemoration in Belgium. She has been teaching the flute privately since she was 15.

Pivoting towards classroom teaching in 2018, Monique taught English in Thailand before returning to New Zealand. She currently resides in Taupō and is a generalist classroom teacher as well as a music specialist at Waipāhīhī-a-Tia Primary School teaching ukulele, recorder, flute, and rock bands.