TUTORS
Our quality tutors will help you to GET HOOKED ON MUSIC
A product of the north (though born in central Waikato) Jon grew up in the Far North and attended Kaitaia College. An avid musician through College, Jon fell in love with teaching through itinerant teaching and decided to study a Bachelor of Education in teaching primary. Whilst studying, he joined a Dixieland jazz band in Tauranga, and continued developing his musicianship alongside his teaching. Whilst abroad in Ukraine, he joined a folk group and travelled around. Back in NZ and in the Far North, Jon realised he needed to up his game and moved with his family to Wellington to study jazz. Returning home, he wanted to bring the best back to the talented people he continued to see fail to reach their potential and decided to invest at the earliest possible age, combining his qualification and passion for teaching and music – Te Hiku Music Academy was born.
Braidz started on the drums at a young age learning from records and watching family members play. He continued through his teens and 20s and got a job playing 6 nights a week in the casinos in Townsville with a Filipino “Silk” and in NZ the iconic Northland rock band “Sirroco”. Now approaching retirement, Braidz has come to teaching from a background in Radio sales in Whangarei. On relocating to Tokerau Beach on the Whatuwhiwhi peninsula, he got involved with local bands, met Jon, and started tutoring drums and hasn’t looked back. Brady is thrilled with his work every day and has discovered an absolute joy of sharing his passion for music.
Robin was born and raised in the North. He started drumming at 4 years old and has always been active in his love for music. At 14, with his family band “Incite”, he was really turning heads with his powerful guitaring. He has embraced the colours of jazz and in his Level 1 year, was the first to complete his solos for Level 1, 2 & 3 all in one performance. His talent is exceptional and he has shown a good aptitude for teaching as well, though he was unsure leading up to it.
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Chris was born and raised in Switzerland and spent several years in the Swiss military band as a cornet player. In his 20s, he visited NZ and met and married his wife. They relocated to Switzerland where they raised their 3 children and spent 30 years before retiring to NZ. Chris is new to teaching also but has an absolute passion for the children of Te Hiku. He loves to watch the students grow and they love his involvement.