Lessons start soon, it’s time to choose your new passion and enrol!

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Will 2021 be the year you give your child the chance to learn some new skills, find a passion and have a great time doing it? 

Then it’s time to enrol for music lessons at Merrin! 

We have a wonderful group of experienced teachers sharing their love of music and with around a fifth of the school participating in the Itinerant programme it’s a great way to connect with like minded students. 

Due to the rebuild, lessons this year will be on various days. They will cost between $110 and $290 a term, depending on lesson length and whether it is an individual or group lesson. 

Spaces are strictly limited due to room constraints, I encourage you to enrol early to avoid being on a wait list.

 If your child is interested please email me directly with details (preferred) or fill out the form and leave at the office. 

If you have any further questions please feel free to ring or email me. 

Susan Dollin
Merrin School Itinerant Music Coordinator
021 262 9940, or email susandollin@merrin.school.nz

Parent/caregiver please complete the following required details:

Name of Student: ……………………...……...… Name of Parent ………........................…..…….

School year in 2021: ……....… Room: ....................

Home phone: ………………….........………………………

Mobile phone: ……………………………………………....

Email Address: ………………….................………………

Home address: ...................................................................................................................................

Instrument your child wants to learn: ………........................................................……………

Any other comments: ....................................................................................................................

Cello - Wednesdays 
Naomi Harmer studied cello at Canterbury University, with Alexander Ivashkin and Edith Salzmann. She has taught cello for many years and really enjoys working with students individually and in groups. Cello lessons are suited to students of all ages, younger students may benefit from having a parent attend lessons. Naomi is also a registered Suzuki teacher. Cellos can be hired through Music Works or Beggs, or second hand instruments can often be bought for $300-400. Naomi is happy to help organise cello purchase or hire, as getting the right size is important. 

Clarinet and Saxophone - Tuesdays
Guy de Lacey is a very experienced tutor with 40 years of teaching behind him. He teaches in a variety of schools and also privately as well. All levels of tuition are taught and it is possible to get coaching for instrumental exams. He has also spent many years conducting orchestras and concert bands at some of these schools Clarinet and sax take some time to master but do offer great reward to the student when they become more proficient on them. It is possible to have tuition in Classical or Jazz styles on either instrument. The playing opportunities these students receive ranges from concert bands to Jazz bands, orchestras, chamber music groups and also to solo playing. Merrin school has a thriving orchestra and Rock band and these groups are always in need of new keen players. Instruments can be hired from local music shops where there is also a large range available for purchase. Lessons are $20 for 20 mins and Guy is happy to answer any queries on 0210505103. 

Drums
Andrew Couper has a Certificate in Jazz Performance, is a qualified secondary school teacher & has taught drums for 20 years. He plays drums for the Garden City Big Band, Nor’ West Brass main band and in small group jazz ensembles. Drum kit lessons are best suited to children 8 years & older. Lessons cost $30.00 for 30 minutes & $20.00 for 20 minutes. Trinity Rock & Pop syllabus is available if parents are interested in their child sitting an exam. Pupils will need to have their own kit or have easy access to one in order for regular practice to occur. 

Flute and recorder - Thursdays
Susan Dollin (B.Mus (Hons), B.A, AIRMT) is a very experienced flute tutor and performer working in numerous schools around the city, tutoring for the SMP programme at Burnside High and performing with orchestras such as CSO and Resonance Ensemble. Flute lessons are suited to students aged 8 and older although sometimes younger students can be accommodated but will need to meet with Susan first. Otherwise recorder or fife may be an option as a starter instrument. Flutes can be hired through Music Works for the school year or second hand instruments can often be bought for $300-400, Susan is happy to help source a suitable instrument. Ideally students will learn in a pair for 30 mins at a cost of $15 per student. 

Guitar and Ukulele - Tuesdays
Chris Dabinett graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Music from Massey University. Instruments he teaches include guitar, ukulele and bass. Chris has over 15 years experience teaching children and likes to get them enthusiastic by using modern repertoire they can relate to along with a fun learning environment. Group lessons for ukulele are $10 per lesson, and guitar is $13 per lesson. 

Keyboard - Fridays 
Yoon teaches students the basics of playing keyboard/piano in modern playing styles. Her passion is helping students make great music through creative playing.
While her background is in classical music, she has expanded into playing in church bands and for choirs for 20+ years where she plays synthesiser and piano using a range of playing styles.
She teaches 1:1 and in groups. The Trinity Rock and Pop syllabus is available for students which is a hands-on experience for the band setting. Advanced students can learn composition, arrangement and jazz.
Lessons are for 20 or 30 minutes from the age of 5.
Yoon teaches under the auspices of the NZ Modern School of Music which has been teaching students throughout NZ since 1952. See website : https://www.modernmusicchristchurch.co.nz/piano-lessons
Contact her on: Cell: 027 721 1105 email: creator.joa@gmail.com

Piano - Mondays
Barbara Auton is a qualified and registered piano teacher. Her qualifications include an ATCL, an Advanced Diploma in Teaching, and a Certificate in Educational Management and is a member of the IRMTNZ. She has worked for many years as a music specialist in the classroom, a private piano teacher and an administrator in The Arts. Piano lessons are suited to students aged 7 and older. Younger students can be considered but need to meet with her first. A piano or keyboard will be required for practice at home. Individual and paired group lessons are available. At the first lesson she will assess which programme would best suit the student’s readiness or continuation of their piano and theory tuition. An individual lesson costs $28 for 30 minutes and pair group lesson costs $15 per student for 30 minutes. 

Violin - Wednesdays
Lorraine Horton (ATCL, LTCL, Adv. Dip. Teaching) is a very experienced, IRMTNZ registered teacher of piano, violin and theory. She plays first violin with Canterbury Philharmonia. The Suzuki Violin Method is taught at Merrin and is suitable for those 5 years and older, although traditional violin and separate theory lessons are also available. Parents have noticed their child's maths and reading progress has greatly improved after learning the violin for 9 months as it teaches focus, ability and self confidence. Suzuki Violin is a fun programme made up of both an individual lesson (20 minutes) and group theory/playing lesson (30 minutes) for each child. A parent must attend the private lesson. Violins can be hired and come in different sizes, Lorraine can advise. Traditional private lessons are available for years 5 -8.