Hastings Piano Teacher

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Wendy has an abundance of joie de vivre, being enthusiastically involved in classical piano studies, chamber music, a cappella singing from madrigals to barbershop, jazz and musical theatre.

She trained as a primary school teacher and in her teaching years taught several students diverse learning using music enhance their learning and life experiences.

While raising her young family Wendy developed her already flourishing private piano studio to include a self written course in music appreciation for young children and their caregivers. Wendy's entrepreneurial education style was noted by Massey University and she went on to lecture at the College of Education before starting a 25 year hectic and passionate career as a secondary teacher where her skills in conducting bands, orchestras and choirs developed further. Wendy's various choirs, barbershop choruses, chamber music groups, jazz bands concert bands while Head of Music have won awards in NZ National Festivals and the Pacific Arts Festival in Sydney. Wendy thrives on opportunities to work towards excellence, particularly with the Woodford House Chapel Choir which is often enjoyed on TV1's Praise Be. Wendy is a committed advocate for the power of student-owned learning and individual learning styles. Her thesis for her Master of Education explored the importance of acknowledging such variables as personality, learning style, physical attributes, musical aptitude and support systems in the successful selection of an instrument and the perseverance towards proficiency. Wendy is passionate about helpong her students learn how to learn, and believes music leanring is the perfect vehicle for the development of student agency.

Wendy has been involved in musical theatre since her first tentative audition aged 14 for the Manawatu Gang Show. In this nurturing environment she grew to become Music Director and learnt to arrange music for the variety of instrumentalists, a skill which has proven invaluable in school ensemble work and in involving her family and friends to play as church band musicians. Her children have gone on to be professional musicians in their own right: Natalie as an orchestral composer, Ben as a performing Jazz musician and brass tutor. She has been Musical Director in Manawatu and Hawke's Bay, also enjoying on-stage roles. Her shows include Aladdin, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, Beauty and the Beast, The Threepenny Opera, La Boheme, The Magic Flute, Toska, Blood Brothers, My Fair Lady, Return to the Forbidden Planet, Antigone, Passengers, Miss Saigon, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Man of no Importance and the Great Gatsby, Les Miserables, Sewet Charity, Annie, Sound of Music, Oliver.

Wendy believes experiencing joy in music is the birthright of us all and ensures her lessons and rehersals reflect this. Her teaching style displays mutual respect as concepts are taught in fun, creative mixed-media ways. Her students are encouraged to attend a variety of concerts, seminars and workshops to expose their minds to a range of sound art and related arts. Many of her students have careers in musical theatre, set design, sound engineering, composing, music therapy, orchestral performance and music teaching. her lessons incorporate the blended learning approach, utilising electronic means to reach the students, other students and resources. Distance Learning is a specialty.

Since 1992 Wendy has served as a Councillor for the Institute of Registered Music Teachers and is currently the Chair of the Teacher Training Committee, responsible for developing initiatives at attract young tutors into the profession. She has adapted the initial teacher training course to be delivered on-line for both IRMTNZ and therTeraching Council of New Zealand, and is enjoying the contact with music teachers around New Zealand as they determine their own pedagogical style. Wendy was awarded the status of Fellow of the Institute in 2008 in recognition of her work with young music students, music teacher societies and community groups around New Zealand.

Wendy is an accomplished accompanist, understanding the practical and musical needs of singers and instrumentalists alike. She plays cello and trombone herself, plus with her myriad school teaching experience has learned the vital needs of most instruments.

Wendy is available for private tutoring in piano, keyboard, theory, composing, aural training, whether for leisure, exam preparation or NCEA consolidation. Sessions may be taken in person or via skype or an electronic learning platform.

She is also available for short or long term

• choral conducting (choir, church group, a cappella, Glee, barbershop.
• chamber music coaching.
• orchestra or band conducting.
• classroom music lessons as a relief teacher  (theory, singing, keyboard, guitar, ukulele, pitched percussion, violin/cello).
• accompanying soloists or groups.

If you are interested in discussing your needs, please contact Wendy

email         wendyhunt0@gmail.com

mobile      027 4477 410

Skype       wendy.hunt447

Wendy and this website are supported by

Appleton Pianos

For piano sales, service and tuning