Classical piano & theory lessons in Karori, Wellington. DMA, BA, FTCL, LRSM, AIRMTNZ Rachel is a pianist and teacher based in Wellington, New Zealand.
She gained her FTCL and LRSM in piano performance while studying for a B.Mus (Hons) and BA at Victoria University, then continued her studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music, graduating with a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA). She performs regularly around New Zealand as both a collaborative and orchestral pianist, and loves teaching and sharing her love of music. Her students have been highly successful in both examinations and competitions, and all enjoy regular performance opportunities.
02/08/2026
It has been a huge weekend of recitals at our IRMTNZ Recital Competition and YMF Class 5 - I’m very proud of the efforts of all my students, you all improved heaps in these last few focussed weeks, and it was a very valuable experience! Special shout out to Claire for her VHC in Class 5 (plus a highly commended on flute) and to Haoyuan for his HC in the Secondary Recital class. 👏 🎶
28/07/2026
Even on tour we managed to find some rehearsal time (after a chilly -4 degree start in Christchurch! 🥶) Looking forward to this concert in Wellington on August 8th! It’s such an awesome piece…
For today’s dose of cuteness, here is Bryan accompanied by An Vinh at the recent mid year recital 😍 Someone almost forgot to hold the last note, but had a last minute ‘save’ 🤭
22/07/2026
We found the perfect way to keep Bryan occupied during his brother’s lesson - we armed him with manuscript and a pencil, and before we knew it he was consumed with writing some devilishly difficult exercises ‘for FTCL’!! 😂🤭 So cute - and such neat work for one so young!
I’m feeling suitably energised for the day after hearing these lovely girls rehearse their Piazzolla for a concert on Saturday - they let me record a snippet while I sipped my coffee! 😉☕️
13/07/2026
Pop the date in your diaries - it will make me practise! 😆🎹
12/07/2026
It’s been a fabulous and full-on week at the Australasian Piano Pedagogy Conference in Adelaide. There was so much on offer and so many great ideas to absorb, alongside some great camaraderie with old friends and new. I even squeezed in a day sightseeing yesterday with Annemarie, braving the blustery and squally weather along the coast! Fortification with some treats from the Central Market and then some wine tasting in the McLaren Valley helped 🤭 Now to come home and digest on all levels… ✈️
07/07/2026
The first full day of the APPC is underway - so much to explore and listen to, and tough choices to be made as to what to attend! 😅
Here’s a better snippet of Anthony Ritchie’s Prelude (in memory of Chopin) played by Haoyuan ☺️ I’m always guaranteed to get something wrong in late night posts 🤭 and I hadn’t realised it had been clipped just at the start. Although I’ve fixed that now, this is a shorter section at the end to enjoy…