"So I would say the best teachers in Auckland or anywhere for that matter, are those who have a good musical background of course, but most importantly. they love to share this amazing and beautiful human art we call music." There are many guitar teachers in Auckland. I have met several teachers, worked with others and some I know by reputation only. Some of them are my ex-students. It is always a pleasure seeing people develop their musical skills and deepen their musical experience. As a guitar teacher myself I would have to say that I provide a high level of guitar tuition. I started teaching in 1981 working with the late Chris Bayne at the New Zealand Guitar Academy. Chris taught classical guitar and I was initially hired to teach Lead and Rhythm guitar, and bass. Chris was I believe an excellent guitarist with a graceful, stylish and secure technique, combined with a calm and steady performance style. Just as importantly he was a good teacher, with well-designed teaching resources, a good library and a comfortable studio. Working with him I was able to see first-hand plenty of guitar-playing in many styles, but also the way that he related to students from many different walks of life, united by a common bond, a love of music and making music. In 1984 I opened my own studio in Mount Street near the University of Auckland campus. In the 1980's I focused mainly on teaching classical guitar, while moonlighting playing in bands like Neon Quaver, the Auckland Concert Orchestra, several church groups and musical theatre shows. I expanded my teaching portfolio to include Music Theory, History, Ear Training and Singing, then branched out to teach drumkit and for a brief time, the piano. Several ex-students are now excellent and well-respected guitar teachers themselves. Good teachers should make professional development a priority throughout their career and professional development is requirement of registered teachers in the New Zealand system. A very good friend, Sylvia Blatchford encouraged me to develop my classical qualifications, sitting grade examinations leading to a Licentiate diploma in Guitar Performance from Trinity College London, then later a Bachelor of Music degree, an English degree with Music and a Masters Degree in Music. These formal qualifications are of course only part of what a music teacher has to learn and apply. Mostly music teachers work with helping people play and sharing their love of music. So I would say the best teachers in Auckland or anywhere for that matter, are those who have a good musical background of course, but most importantly also, they love to share this amazing and beautiful human art we call music. Since gaining some academic qualifications. I also studied for a Teacher's Diploma, developed my skills in recording, mixing mastering and music notation and now teach at ABC Studios. I continue to teach in several schools on a part-time basis. As part of my personal guitar study I have transcribed many solos from amazing guitar players such as George Benson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Django Rheinhardt, Carlos Santana and others, then teach these items to students who have the interest and dedication to do so. I have held subscriptions to several guitar magazines and they are a valuable resource for guitar teachers. They allow me to see and learn what other teachers are doing world-wide. I also maintain my Teacher's Registration and am a member of the Post-Primary Teacher's Association. Professional development is an ongoing and living thing. In 2021 I recorded a jazz album, Modal Behaviour (my fourth recorded album) with some fantastic New Zealand musicians and good reviews and I am looking forward to sharing this music further in Festival performances. If you would like to study the guitar further details are available on the Guitar Lessons Auckland - | "So I would say the best teachers in Auckland or anywhere for that matter, are those who have a good musical background of course, but most importantly also, they love to share this amazing and beautiful human art we call music." |