Alexandra Primary Lessons.
Welcome to music lessons at Alexandra Primary School! Liz Conway and Joel Neilson are very excited to help continue your guitar and music learning during school. Lessons will run weekly each term. Have a read below about what we’re offering and a bit about us and then head over to our registration page to get signed up! We are excited to offer the following programmes:
FOUNDATION MUSIC (years 0-3): This programme focuses on the building blocks students need in order to understand and play music. We will expand our learning through the use of a variety of instruments such as ukulele, piano/keyboard, percussion (and guitar). We will learn the language of music (such as notation, rhythm, songs, melody, harmony, performance techniques, and much more) that will form as the foundation students will build on for many years of playing music!
GUITAR/UKULELE (years 3-8): This programme focuses on establishing good guitar technique, learning a variety of songs and understanding the context of guitar and ukulele in a wider music setting! Students will progress on any skills already learned and learn new skills which will help them reach their musical goals.
GUITAR/SINGING (years 3-8): The element of singing will be added into groups that would like to learn how to sing alongside their guitar playing. There will still be a focus on building strong guitar technique and learning songs, but lessons will also include basic singing technique and how to work both instruments together. (Please note, this programme may not be offered depending on group sizes and interest.)
JOEL NEILSON
Joel moved to Alexandra from Cromwell (where he grew up) in 2019. He has been teaching guitar for 11 years both privately and at schools after completing a Bachelor of Audio Production Degree. He enjoys working with a range of genres and styles, and individually tailor lessons to suit students’ guitar experience, musical goals and musical tastes. Joel’s experience with both solo and band performances allows him to integrate musicianship skills into lessons; this aspect is often overlooked and can be the difference between being able to play guitar, and being a musician! Joel’s main goal is to make music inspiring, enjoyable and fun, and give students the tools to be able to progress in the best way possible both inside and outside of lessons. He loves living in this area and being a part of the community. He enjoys being involved with such a dynamic school as APS and helping students achieve their musical goals.
LIZ CONWAY
A native of Boulder, Colorado (USA), Liz began learning music at a young age. She went on to gain a BA in Composition and Music Theory from the University of Richmond, VA (USA), a DipGrad in Studio Music Teaching from the University of Otago, and a diploma from the Institute of Registered Music Teachers of New Zealand. Liz has 18 years of private teaching experience and has worked many years in the schools and university teaching piano, singing, guitar, band performance, music theory, songwriting and recording.
She founded a teaching and recording studio in Dunedin, which was sold when her husband’s work took them overseas for a few years to Canmore (Canada). She moved to Alexandra in 2016 with her husband, Jono, and their two kids, Jackson (11) and Maia (9) who are both students at APS. Liz loves teaching in local schools and from her home and loves being involved with music at APS! As a mum, recording artist, composer, local performer, and qualified private music teacher, Liz is able to combine practical aspects of music with her grounding in music education.
Foundation Music. Ukulele. Guitar. Singing.