Corelli Specialist Teachers

Corelli School's support crew is a "who's who" list of Auckland based instrumental teachers. Some have studied overseas and all have worked professionally with International musical icons. The collective experience they bring to Corelli School and pass on to students is invaluable in today's musical world.

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Dance

Lisa Carter

Lisa Carter started dancing at the age of three in Cape Town, South Africa. She was trained by Elisabeth Millington and later by Ms. Sheila Stirling (F.R.A.D.) at the University of Cape Town where she obtained her Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certification as well as a BMus degree in piano. Two years after graduating from the university, she joined the ballet faculty where she taught ballet as well as maintaining her own private studios in Cape Town. In 1998, Lisa and her husband traveled to Hong Kong where she trained ballet students at a private school, which she also headed, taught at the RAD summer school and won a choreographic award at the Hong Kong Arts Festival. At the end of that year, Lisa moved to the United Kingdom where she taught at the Italia Conti School of Dance and Drama and, the Central School of Ballet in London.

In 2002, Lisa joined the faculty of Creighton University, a private Jesuit university in the Midwest, as director of the dance department and artistic director of the Creighton Dance Company. In 2004 she became an examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance and traveled extensively all over the world as an examiner for five years. Lisa has given master classes in Hong Kong, South Africa, Europe and the United States of America. She has choreographed many ballet productions including Coppélia, The Nutcracker, Giselle and Raymonda as well as musicals including The Boyfriend, The Mikado and Joseph.

Lisa has written a book on beginning ballet which was published this year by Kendall Hunt Publishers. Before leaving for New Zealand, Lisa choreographed Romeo and Juliet for the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival and taught a month of summer school to young local and national dancers.

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Dance

Claire Stanley - Teacher/Performer/Choreographer

Claire has had a highly successful career as a Performer/Choreographer and Teacher. Originally from the UK,Claire trained as a Dancer (RAD Ballet and ISTD Jazz and Tap) and Singer and the majority of her career has been based in Musical Theatre. Claire has performed in numerous musicals, the highlight of which was performing in London's West End in Disney's 'Beauty and The Beast'. The next phase of her career saw her working for several acclaimed Cruise Lines (including Disney Cruise Line and P&O Cruises) and travelling the World. Needless to say she fell in Love with New Zealand and moved here in 2003!

Here in New Zealand,Claire continues to perform (most recently in the NZ Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's ' Starlight Express') but has also become recognised for her work as a Teacher and Choreographer ( work including TV's 'Stars in Your Eyes' 08 Season and most recently TVNZ's 'One Night Only') . Claire has a vast amount teaching experience and in the UK taught Dance for the Guildford School of Acting and as a Dance and Singing coach for 'StageCoach', a nationwide school that specialises in producing all round performers. She has also been Dance captain for various large productions,in charge of keeping the show in top shape.

Here in New Zealand Claire Teaches for several independent schools including 'Sole Movement' and Dance Dimensions'as well as running her own dance school 'The Dance Factory'. Because of her wide experience and training,she is an extremely versatile Teacher/Choreographer who prides herself on producing polished results. Only the best will do! Her patience and her attention to detail are second to none as she is renowned for her professionalism within the Industry.

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Dance

Melanie Meissenheimer

Melanie Lotze was born in South Africa and has been active in the dance industry for 25 years. She trained as a Royal Academy of Dance ballet dancer to elementary level and in A.I.D.T modern to advanced level succesfully completing the latter with honours. Upon completion of her studies she danced with a youth company for 2 years and performed as a guest artist in several productions. In 1998 she enrolled with the Association of International Dance Teachers (A.I.D.T) in order to train as a teacher and proceeded to become qualified as an A.I.D.T advanced 2 associate.

In 1998 she started to teach as an assistant teacher at pre-schools, teaching fun gym, motor skills development programs and modern dancing (pre-primary to preparatory).

In 2003 she relocated to Bahrain where she established the jazz / modern dancing department at a local dance school. Upon her return to South Africa she opened her own dance studio teaching students (aged 2 - adult) in order to prepare them for formal examinations, competitions as well as annual productions. Amongst many of her accomplishments she has also acted as a judge in the South African education department eistedford

In July 2007 she relocated to Auckland in order to further her career at Corelli.

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Dance

Elizabeth Harvey

Elizabeth Harvey ARAD danced professionally in international Ballet companies and stage shows for the past twenty three years. She has taught extensively throughout her career and was the director of two ballet schools in the United States.

As a registered and certified teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance she intends to give students the finest of dance training.

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Drama - Jacqué Mandeno

Jacqué completed her initial training in speech and drama in the 1970's, and after a decade in Sydney, returned to teaching in Auckland in 1996. Since then Jacqué has taught all ages and levels, from pre-school to adult, in both drama and public speaking. In addition to teaching, she has been involved in public speaking competitions, both as competitor and judge, regularly narrates for Talking Books at the RNZ Blind Foundation, and has actively participated in amateur theatre, both as a performer and director.

Jacqué is currently completing a postgraduate degree in International Communication. "To me, performance is an essential mode of self-expression, and self-realization. Even more important, perhaps, are the cooperative and empathetic social skills students acquire, both as communicators and performers."

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Instrumental Music Coordinator:

Yun-Pai Hsu
(Piano, Theory, Aural Training)

Yun-Pai Hsu received her Bachelor of Music degree from the top ranking American music conservatory, Eastman School of Music (New York) after which she was awarded a full scholarship to study at the University of Cincinnati (Piano Performance, Piano Pedagogy). There she won several prizes, including the prestigious Concerto Prize. During the final stages of her Doctorate degree, she received a teaching and performance award to work and study at the University of Iowa (Music Theory).

Yun-Pai Hsu has appeared as a soloist with several orchestras and, as a member of the Center for New Music, she has been invited to premiere new solo piano works as well as chamber music throughout America and Russia. In addition, she has worked as staff accompanist at the University of Cincinnati, University of Iowa, and University of Auckland.

For over 15 years, she has taught in various musical institutions as well as privately in America, New Zealand, and South Korea. Her teaching posts included the University of Iowa, West Music Conservatory, Iowa All State music summer school, and Diocesan School for Girls.

Currently, in addition to her teaching, Yun-Pai Hsu performs regularly as a collaborative artist and a member of the Pounamu Trio.

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Instrumental:

Ashley Hopkins DipMus, LTCL
(Clarinet/Saxophone)

After completing a Performance Diploma on Clarinet at Auckland University, Ashley joined the RNZN Band as solo clarinetist where he spent 13 years rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer in charge of the day-to-day musical activities of the band. During this time he developed an interest in conducting and on leaving the band took up the directorship of the Auckland Secondary Schools Orchestra for four years and conductorship of the North Shore Concert Band (six years). Other duties included playing in the highly regarded Big Band on alto and bari sax.

Ashley performed for years as an associate player for the Auckland Philharmonia and has also played with the NZSO. He has played with many touring shows including Les Mis (twice), West Side Story, and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" as well as visiting performers such as Shirley Bassey and Michael Crawford. Ashley has spent some time in the jazz field playing baritone saxophone for the Roger Fox Big Band. Ashley was principal clarinetist in the Auckland Chamber Orchestra for a number of years. He is currently principal clarinet in the Opus Chamber Orchestra and has been since 2005.

In September 2001, Ashley performed as a concerto soloist with the New Plymouth Orchestra.

Ashley has also branched out into the IT world and looks after Corelli computers including this Web site!

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Instrumental:

David Woodcock
(Trumpet and Arranging)

Originally from Wales, David Woodcock studied music at the University College of North Wales, specializing in composition with William Mathias. There followed a period of study at the Royal College of Music in London, and a performing career on the trombone in London, and from 1983, New Zealand. He was with the Auckland Philharmonia for 5 years, and is still based in Auckland where he now spends his time composing and arranging. He has worked with British musician Jaz Coleman on symphonic arrangements of the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin which were recorded by the London Symphony and London Philharmonic Orchestras. He also collaborated with Eddie Rayner on arrangements of Split Enz songs which were recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as ENZSO and ENZSO 2.

In 2000 David arranged music for the America's Cup closing ceremony, and since 2001 has been arranging music for Hayley Westenra's recordings and concert tours. He also assisted with the music preparation of Howard Shore's music on the Fellowship of the Ring, the first part of the Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy.

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Instrumental:

Pene Brawn-Douglas (Flute/Piccolo)

Pene Brawn-Douglas comes to us with a wealth of experience in working with young people in the flute world. She is an extremely sought after teacher on Auckland's North Shore, having taught a wide range of students of all ages and abilities there for nearly 20 years. Originally trained as a primary school teacher, Pene has used these experiences and skills to motivate and guide hundreds of students in their fluting pursuits.

Her students have gone on to study Performance Flute at University; teach the next generation of flute players; and/or to continue playing for their own and others' enjoyment.

Pene has continued to broaden her own knowledge base with ongoing studies at University and regular of workshops with visiting artists whenever the opportunity is available.

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Instrumental:

Jennifer Raven G.B.S.M.; A.B.S.M (Percussion)

Jennifer was born in England and Graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire in 1990.While in the U.K she played with various orchestras,  including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (Simon Rattle conducting ) and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

She came to New Zealand in late 1990 and took up the Principal Percussion position with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in 1991. Jenny has also played with the NZSO and various shows, as well as teaching and coaching. She was the percussion tutor at Auckland University from 1991 until 1999 when she left to have the first of her 2 children.

Jenny is now Sub-principal percussion with the APO and performs regularly with them and other professional groups. She is also involved in the Manukau Symphony Orchestra as a tutor encouraging young players into the world of orchestral music.

Jenny continues to teach in private schools as well as privately and also goes into schools to give concerts with the group ‘Musique’, as part of the APO’s education program.

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Instrumental:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joachim Neupert (Violin, Viola)

• German - since 1984 living in New Zealand

• Masters Degree in Violin performance and Suzuki pedagogy
  from SIU Edwardsville

• Diploma as state assessed Viola Tutor (Stuttgart 1984)

• Diploma as Audio engineer (Auckland, New Zealand 1997)

• From 1987 - 95 violist with the APO and Auckland String Quartet

• Baroque performance studies with John Holloway

• Baroque performances with Pipers and various other groups.

• Since 1995 co-leader of the Auckland Bach Cantata Society orchestra

• 28 years Violin teacher (Suzuki and traditional) and 22 years Suzuki teacher trainer for the New Zealand Suzuki Institute

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Instrumental:

Sharon Joy Vogan (Piano)

Sharon Joy Vogan was well known to New Zealand audiences in the 1980’s and 90’s. She was a frequent soloist with all NZ orchestras, including the NZSO and APO. She was respected for her interpretations of Bach, Haydn, and Mozart, and also for her performance of contemporary NZ works.

She began piano lessons at an early age with her mother, a scholar at the Royal College of Music and student of Cyril Smith. Sharon first attracted national attention when she won the Auckland Star Piano Concerto Competition at the age of 15. Many performing and competition successes followed, and these included first place in the Christchurch Concerto Competition, runner up in the TVNZ Young Musicians Contest, and a TVNZ performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto in B flat with the NZSO and conductor Franz-Paul Decker.

She studied at Canterbury University under the well-known New Zealand pianist Maurice Till, and graduated with First Class Honours and a Masters Prize for first place throughout the Fine Arts and Music faculties.

Sharon won a QE2 Arts Scholarship for post-graduate study in the USA with renowned Hungarian pianist Bela Siki, and was subsequently offered a major fellowship to study for her doctorate at the University of British Columbia in Canada. During this time, she performed with the Orchestra of Barcelona, Spain by invitation of conductor Franz-Paul Decker, with the Inland Empire Orchestra in California, and recorded for CBC.

She returned to New Zealand in the mid 90’s. She performed as recitalist, recording artist and soloist throughout the country.

Sharon has now semi-retired from the concert platform, but is dedicated to her growing teaching practice. Recent teaching engagements have included that of Piano Performance Tutor at the University of Auckland and the University’s Academy of Music, and she currently teaches at the Corelli School of the Arts.

Sharon lives in Auckland, and is married with two children, John and Victoria.

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