James has recently moved to New Zealand from the UK, and has a wide range of skills and experience to offer as both a brass teacher and ensemble mentor.

M.Mus., ATCL, LTCL, Dip.Tchg, AIRMTNZ, Dip.Legal.Exec.

Originally from Hastings, but now resident in Dannevirke, I obtained LTCL in Piano and Theory of Music studying with Marie Stothart. In 1996 I graduated with a Masters Degree in Performance Cello from the University of Canterbury. Following an ‘O.E.’ I was a secondary school classroom music teacher for nearly ten years. I am also a recently qualified Legal Executive.

I focus on the classical cello repertoire and theory of music with an emphasis on ABRSM examinations. Although these exams are not compulsory, my teaching is generally structured around the development of those skills: pieces (which I accompany at the piano) and the inherent note-reading and understanding of key centres, scales and arpeggios, sight reading and aural. I am also happy to assist with chamber music and NCEA assessment material.

My expectations of students include that they continue to progress by remaining engaged and forward-thinking. It is also helpful if they are well-prepared for each lesson, both musically and practically. These efforts will lead to autonomy and life-long skills as well as proven benefits in other areas of study.

Hello, my name is Miss Frances Morgan.  Most of my pupils like to call me Miss Morgan, but a few of them prefer to just call me Frances.  When I was a schoolgirl I loved music so I had lessons in piano and theory from my mother who was an excellent pianist. I also had a wonderful clarinet teacher.  

When I left school I was very lucky to study music in Wellington and Melbourne.  

I achieved some qualifications including FTCL, BMus(Melb) and LMusA.  When I came home I was admitted to the Institute of Registered Music Teachers.

I have always been involved in Music Departments teaching clarinet, piano, theory and saxophone.  I love music because it has been my way of meeting many fantastic people.  I have been able to play in orchestras, chamber music and solos which is both hard work and fun too!  My favourite composer is Mozart and I am still making new musical discoveries every day.

I hope you jump on-board and have as much joy from music as I am still having!

Kathy is the flute teacher at Iona.

She has a BMus (Hons) and LTCL in flute. She enjoys performing and teaching. She has taught flute and piano for many years privately and in different schools in Wellington and Hawkes Bay.

Her main aim is to have students achieve their goals whether it be exams, NCEA or just playing for pleasure and for them to come away with a lifelong love of music.

After many years in Wellington doing many different things she now lives on an orchard with her husband and 2 dogs with 3 adult children popping in to say hello on a regular basis.

Sarah Lee is a piano teacher originally from South Korea, who moved to New Zealand in 1995. She holds a BA, DipEd, ATCL, and L.Dip.SCSM from New Zealand. With over 10 years of teaching experience at schools, Sarah is an active accompanist, having worked with various choirs, opera groups, and orchestras in Hawke's Bay. While her teaching strength lies in classical music, she also incorporates contemporary pieces based on students' interests.

Kia Ora. I have taught piano since I was 15. I lived in a rural community where it was difficult for families to travel into the city, so because I had achieved an ATCL, families began asking me if I would teach their children. I then went onto study piano and composition at Otago University and completed more Piano and Theory qualifications.

Many of my students over the years have enjoyed the stimulation of doing examinations and others have been motivated to play music they choose. Where there is a commitment to practising, students can sit examinations and learn a wide repertoire of extra pieces. I especially see the value in learning theory and so I enjoy teaching the lunchtime class at Iona, which supports those playing instruments and the NCEA performance music and musical knowledge achievement standards offered at Iona. I am passionate about all the advantages in learning music.

Hello from Karen... tutor of Modern Piano at Iona College.

The foremost intention throughout my course is to always endeavour to make music a “Happy” occurrence. From the cheerful lesson, wanting to practise without being prompted and enjoying jamming in a band or with family and friends both at school and home.

Pupils can select their own tunes and gradually build up a personal repertoire of their favourites. The Modern approach uses chord structures which create a more full sound plus enables improvisation. Also, it is very useful for singing accompaniment.

As an ‘Old Girl’ of Iona it has been a privilege to return these past fifteen years to pass on my love of music through Modern Piano.

Thalita is originally from Brazil, she moved to New Zealand in 2018 with her husband and two children.  She joined Iona College as aViolin/Viola teacher in 2022 and has been teaching for over 18 years.  She achieved her teaching degree in Art Education (Music) from the Federal University of Rio de Janeriro in 2003 and her Bachelor of Music (Violin Performance) from the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro in 2008.  She also has been a registered violin teacher of the Suzuki American Association since 1999.

Hello, I am Orlena and I am a registered music teacher. I have been teaching piano, theory and vocal lessons for more than 20 years. I am one of the singing teachers at Iona.

Lessons are usually 30 minutes each and this involves technical singing warm-ups and learning repertoire and technique work tailored to individual students. The songs I choose range from Classical through to Music Theatre and Contemporary. I am especially interested in teaching students to cross over from one genre to another (for example, teaching the classical singer to sing music theatre and vice versa). 

I follow the Trinity College of London syllabus for external examinations for the dedicated students who wish to do this and also prepare students for NCEA performance assessments when required. 

Outside of work I like to spend my time with my family and pets, doing yoga, and travelling. 

Opera singer Anna Pierard trained as an opera singer at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London. She returned to New Zealand years later with her conductor and musician husband, Jose Aparicio. Together, they are founding directors of The Prima Volta Charitable Trust, a community-driven project to help teenagers find their voice. They’re also directors of Festival Opera Ltd - an outlet for sharing performances with the community of Hawke's Bay. Anna's lesson will be held in the Blyth PAC.

My love of ballet began as a young student. Knowing by the age of 11 that teaching dance was my destiny.I began my classes in Taupo and then moved to Auckland where I danced full time in the Northern Ballet Company while finishing my final exams in Ballet, Jazz and Tap.

I qualified in Advanced Ballet  and Solo Seal with Honours  (BBO), Advanced and Solo Seal Jazz with Honours (NZAMD),  and Elementary Tap (NZAMD).

I  won a Shell Scholarship to New Zealand School of Dance however accepted a partnership with my former ballet teacher, Audrey MacRae, where we worked together for 4 years.   I then took  a 2 year teaching opportunity in England where I made the most of my time with Ballet and Jazz opportunities before returning to Taupo to open a dance school.   

Following marriage and children I became a full-time mum for 5 years before we settled in Havelock North. For 22 years I have had the wonderful oppertunity to focus on competition work, helping students from Hawke's Bay ballet studios extend there love of dancing with extended work and stage opportunities. I love working with students who are destined for a career in ballet or those who simply want to dance.

I look forward to working with students at Iona and dancing in the fabulous Blyth Performing Arts Centre.

Stacey is from Canada and brings 29 years of dance experience to the Sophie Jean Dance Company. She started teaching at Sophie Jean Dance Company in New Zealand in 2019 & taught dance for 4 years in Alberta, Canada, at MacDonald Island Dance Academy (2014-2018).

Stacey has studied & competed in a range of dance styles from contemporary, jazz, hip hop, modern, tap, ballet, African, Acro and musical theatre at various dance academies. Stacey has trained with the Canadian National Tap Team (2007-2009) & Canadian National Jazz Dance Team (2009), and the Matthew Clark Dance Company, competing in world dance competitions in Germany, Poland and Spain and taking home three gold medals from the experience! She also participated in the Tap Reloaded European dance tour (2010), where she performed in Malta, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.

Stacey continued to develop her dance training at the University of Auckland in New Zealand for 3 years (2011-2014). Stacey is also a co-creator and choreographer of The Intro Club, performing contemporary pieces in Fringe in the Stings (Hastings, Hawkes' Bay). She has been teaching private dance lessons at Iona College since 2019. Stacey teaches competition work for soloists/duets & troupes as well.

She is extremely passionate and believes in providing a dance education that is fun, inclusive and inspiring for all ages & levels!