Guitar
Rob Joass
Tutor: Rob Joass
I have been a professional musician most of my adult life, and have performed in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and all over NZ. I have released 10 albums, both solo and with various bands, and have been a finalist at the NZ music awards three times. I have also worked as a recording engineer and producer. I love writing songs and am happy to incorporate songwriting into my lessons if that is appropriate.
I try to approach teaching guitar in a way that makes playing fun for my students, rather than another chore. To that end, I will always ask my students about the music that they enjoy and will try to incorporate that into our lessons. My main focus is Contemporary music from the 50’s to now, but I will usually incorporate other styles including classical, jazz, folk, country, etc., as we go on. If a student is interested in graded exams, I use and recommend the Trinity/Guildhall series, and I also have a very successful record of preparing students for NCEA performance.
I have been teaching at Scots for nearly 20 years now, as well as 25 years at Wellesley College, and 6 at Queen Margaret’s. I also teach privately at my boat shed on Porirua Harbour.
If a student is interested in graded exams, I use and recommend the Trinity/Guilldhall series.
Genre
Contemporary, Rock/Pop
Offer external exam prep?
Yes
Teach notation reading?
TAB only, but music notation will be introduced and explained.
Your teaching day/s
Tuesday and Thursday, during school hours
Which year levels do you teach?
Junior (5-6), Middle (7-10), Senior (11-13)
Hamish Graham
Tutor: Hamish Graham
Qualifications
B.Mus (Victoria University)
Many, many years of playing and performing here and abroad. I have taught for the last 8 years (3 at Scots).
Teaching Approach
No two students are the same, so I like to have a range of options for when I am teaching. For example, I will ask what the student likes to listen to and where possible, and I will try to incorporate it into the learning while also exposing them to other styles. From classical to metal, to old and new, solo or ensemble, there is valuable learning to be had. Also, some like to sight read more than others, and while I do teach and encourage the written language of music (which is all sight reading is), particularly for my bass students, on guitar I don’t insist on it. Some like to sing and strum, some like to pick out melodies.
Ultimately, the enjoyment of the instrument, the music produced, and the process involved in making it is a big part of what I want the student to experience and what makes it worthwhile for them.
Genre:
Contemporary, Rock/Pop, Aspects of Musical Theatre and Jazz
Offer external exam prep?
Yes
Teach notation reading?
Yes and TAB
Your teaching day/s:
During School hours: Mondays, Tuesdays
After School: Mondays
Which year levels do you teach?
Junior (2-6), Middle (7-10), Senior (11-13)
Nikita Tu-Bryant
Tutor: Nikita Tu-Bryant
Nikita Ya-Han Tu-Bryant is a Taiwan-born Aotearoa touring Artist who has been working as a multidisciplinary artist for 17 years. Although her training was in Jazz Guitar and Voice, she is a multi-instrumentalist and specialises in "unblocking creativity" through various mediums of art, as well as running songwriting workshops and using music as a form of therapy.
She was previously teaching at Scots; however, touring and acting roles took precedence temporarily, and led to her hiatus here at the College. Nikita is eager to return to share her knowledge learnt on the road and on set. If you are interested in a more contemporary, abstract approach to your child learning/finding their instrument, Nikita comes highly commended. Instruments include: Voice, Guitar, Ukulele, Piano (contemporary, not classical). She particularly enjoys teaching songwriting through her students' instrument of choice, and finding their authentic voice through their instrument. She will only be here 1 day a week, so spaces are limited.
Instruments Offered:
Guitar and Ukulele
Genre:
Contemporary