MEET our MUSIC SCHOOL tutors & SUPPORT TEAM
Lewis Eady Music School tutors are motivated, committed, musically qualified and love sharing their knowledge - they are musicians teaching music! Together with our efficient support team, you can be sure you will be welcomed and looked after.
Enrol now to start your musical journey with Lewis Eady Music School.
Adam Thorndyke joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2018 and teaches guitar, ukulele, and bass guitar. Passionate about his music and teaching, Adam holds a Grade 8 Electric Guitar qualification from the Trinity College of London, completed his first year of his Bachelor of Contemporary Music degree at MAINZ in Auckland, and is now pursuing a degree in music production at SAE. Adam writes, composes and mixes his own music as well as producing music for other artists. Adam has played in his own band as lead singer and guitarist, has played in many other bands and also enjoys band mentoring. He has written and produced music in House, Hip Hop, Dance, Jazz and Blues genres and his original songs can be found on Spotify.
Alexander Botha joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2021 and teaches piano and keyboard. Alexander started learning the piano from age 12, completed his ABRSM Grade 8 in piano in 2019, and is now studying classical piano performance at the University of Auckland. Alexander has played keyboard in musicals for private theatre companies and at Selwyn College. Alexander also plays the trombone and was a member of the Auckland Youth Orchestra in 2018 and 2019. In 2018, he played at the Berlin Konzerthaus in Germany, representing New Zealand at the Young Euro Classic Festival. Alexander loves to see students develop their musical skills and grow to enjoy playing the piano as much as he does.
Alex Eichelbaum joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2024 and relief teaches woodwind (clarinet, saxophone) and keyboard for us. Alex completed his honours degree in classical performance clarinet at the University of Auckland, with secondary studies in saxophone performance and conducting, and completed his Grade 5 in piano. As an instrumentalist, he spent three years touring New Zealand as 1st clarinet and tenor saxophonist with the Royal New Zealand Navy Band. He has assisted in the formation, running, and performed as both Assistant Conductor and Concertmaster of the NZ Youth Symphonic Winds. Having performed a wide variety of music, including musicals, pop, jazz, and contemporary, he is adept at coaching students in whatever repertoire they wish to pursue. Alex takes particular pride in aiding students to overcome obstacles and realise their full potential.
Edward Zhang joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2023 and teaches violin, viola, piano/keyboard, guitar, and ukulele. Edward started his music journey at the age of 6. Music has always been a part of his life and follows him wherever he goes.
Edward graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Music in classical violin performance. During his time at university, he developed a passion for music education and sharing his love for music with others. He is always looking for innovative methods to apply to his lessons and strongly believes everyone can learn music. Edward also writes and produces music regularly and draws from his experience with a wide range of instruments, music styles, and genres. Edward believes music is one of the best forms of self-expression and encourages students to explore and discover their musical style.
Ellen Jeong joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2022 and teaches piano and keyboard. Ellen is passionate about teaching and performing music. She completed her classical piano performance degree at the Essen Folkwang Music University in Germany. During that time, Ellen participated in many masterclasses with professors from Germany and the Netherlands and performed as a soloist and a piano accompanist, supporting instrumentalists and singers. Ellen has experience teaching all ages, musical levels, and genres (from baroque to contemporary music) and successfully preparing students for examinations and performances.
Florence Lai teaches piano at our sister school, Chiron Music Academy, and provides both regular and relief teaching for Lewis Eady Music School.
From an early age, Florence discovered a passion and joy for playing the piano. She feels immensely privileged to have the opportunity to share her musical skills and passion with students of all ages and walks of life. Florence holds a Bachelor of Music in classical piano performance from the University of Auckland and her LTCL from the Trinity College of London. Many of her recent student successes include winners of regional piano competitions and gaining overall top marks in ABRSM exams.
George Manning joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2023 and is a relief tutor for piano/keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, singing, and trombone. Having completed his Bachelor of Popular Music at The University of Auckland, George has filled many shoes as a session musician, writer, recording artist and performer. Starting piano and guitar before leaving primary school, he has used his musical knowledge and skill in various competitions, concerts and tours around the country. George made his performing debut overseas, completing a makeshift tour of small English venues and finding his rhythm there. After returning to New Zealand, he started his degree and quickly began performing and collaborating with other up-and-coming artists. George has currently released two singles and is working on releasing more.
Gideon Voon joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2023 and teaches guitar, bass guitar, and ukulele. Gideon's first experience with the guitar was at age 7, but his passion for music ignited around the age of 14 through the discovery of rock music and the electric guitar. After high school, Gideon attended MAINZ and gained his Diploma in Contemporary Music Performance and Bachelor of Musical Arts. While at MAINZ, Gideon met singer Filivaa who asked him to audition for the band Shepherds Reign after witnessing one of Gideon's performances. Since then, Shepherds Reign has toured all over Australia, garnered over 3 million YouTube views for their 2019 hit single 'Le Manu', and won three awards at the Pacific Music Awards, the most recent being the 2022 Creative NZ Award. Some of Gideon's favourite guitarists include Mateus Aasto, Guthrie Govan, and Joe Satriani.
Greg Dallison joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2011 and teaches guitar and ukulele. Greg studied at the Nelson School of Music where he gained a Merit pass in Contemporary Music and went on to study at Teachers College. Greg has been teaching full time in Auckland for 15+ years and is passionate about teaching beginner students. “I love being able to see students enjoying playing music, getting progressively better and becoming capable musicians”.
Gulnara Mukhametzhanova-Ah Koy joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2021 and teaches piano and keyboard. Gulnara began her career in 1998 as a piano teacher and accompanist at her alma mater, Almaty State Conservatory in Kazakhstan, and taught piano at the Astana National Academy of Music. In 2005, Gulnara moved to Fiji, where she was the accredited piano tutor for the International School Suva and operated her private piano studio. She has recently completed further postgraduate studies at the University of Auckland School of Music. Gulnara is a mum to four boys and enjoys teaching and performing piano at recitals.
Holly Gao joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2021 and teaches piano/keyboard and flute. Holly began her musical journey at the age of five, learning both the piano and violin, and completed ABRSM grade 8 in both instruments in 2017. Later, she expanded her repertoire by picking up the flute. Holly enjoys exploring a wide range of instruments, including traditional Chinese instruments such as the guqin and dizi. She is currently studying music at the University of Auckland, focusing on conducting and music studies. Music has always been an inseparable part of Holly’s life; she has participated in orchestras and choirs throughout high school and university. Holly loves sharing her passion for music with those around her and is excited to geek out about various instruments with her students.
Dr Irena Angelovska joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2021 and will rejoin again in 2025, teaching piano, music theory and, singing. She is a multilingual music teacher with over 12 years of experience in primary, secondary, tertiary and community settings in Macedonia and New Zealand. She has performed extensively as a chorister, pianist, and conductor throughout Europe and New Zealand. Irena holds a Doctorate in Music from the University of Auckland, where her research focused on cultural diversity in/through music education.
Irena believes music is for everyone and focuses on inclusion, learning and understanding through shared musical experiences. She prioritises building strong relationships and mutual trust with her students, creating a safe space for exploring performance techniques, collaboration, and new approaches to developing musicianship.
Jagwinder ‘Jag’ Singh joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2024 and teaches guitar, including electric and bass. A seasoned guitarist with over 18 years of mastery, Jag boasts an impressive musical journey that includes sharing stages with acclaimed international metal bands. As a skilled audio engineer, he has not only self-produced his bands but also navigated the global music scene, releasing his work through diverse labels. Jag's dynamic presence has fuelled the sonic landscapes of multiple bands, carving a niche in the metal realm. With a fusion of technical prowess and professional engineering acumen, he has cultivated a distinctive progressive style. Beyond the stage, Jag continues to shape the auditory landscape, embodying the essence of a multifaceted musician and dedicated audio craftsman, consistently pushing the boundaries of his creative expression.
Jessie Wu joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2024 and teaches piano and music theory. Jessie has been playing the piano since she was 6 years old and completed her ABRSM Grade 8 in Piano with Distinction in 2022. She also has played the double bass in the Auckland Youth Orchestra for a number of years. With experience in teaching music theory and tutoring in schools, Jessie is passionate about helping students discover their unique musical style and nurturing their interest in music.
Jimmy Wang joins Lewis Eady Music School in 2025 to teach piano/keyboard, composition, songwriting, and clarinet. Jimmy is a doctoral candidate in the Music School at the University of Auckland, where he is advancing his research in musical composition and related fields. His expertise includes musical composition, clarinet, piano, piano improvisation, music production, and music theory. Previously, Jimmy served as a Teaching Assistant for a Composition Workshop at the Music School of Southwest University and as a clarinettist with the Southwest University Orchestra. He has been commissioned by multiple professional ensembles and his works have been performed in countries such as China, Poland, and the United States.
Kevin Cluzeau joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2024 as a relief tutor for drums, guitar, keyboard, and singing. Originally from New Caledonia, Kevin has been a music aficionado since 2006. As a multi-instrumentalist, he has been involved in different bands and musical projects in New Caledonia, France, and New Zealand. With over ten years of teaching experience, he is looking forward to sharing his passion for music with his students.
Leon Reynolds joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2024 as a relief tutor for flute and keyboard. Leon holds a master’s degree specialising in flute performance and research, and has worked with groups including the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, NZ Opera, Royal New Zealand Ballet, and the Royal New Zealand Navy Band. A passionate educator, Leon works with the APO Connecting and Partnership in Schools programmes, teaches itinerant music at Murrays Bay Intermediate School, and directs the Epsom Girls’ Grammar Senior Concert Band. He also loves getting involved in musical theatre and has worked as music director and conductor for the Centrestage Theatre productions of The Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde: The Musical, and Hello, Dolly!
Liam Coughlan joined Lewis Eady in 2024 and teaches drums, electric bass, guitar, and ukulele. Liam developed an interest in music at a very early age and started learning instruments at school. He has considered them lifelong passions ever since. Liam played in various bands at school, ranging from jazz to classical to a Queen tribute band, some of which competed and won at the KBB Music Festival. He also attended Rodger Fox’s Jazz Workshop at Victoria University. Liam is currently studying for a Bachelor of Music in Jazz at the University of Auckland. He is eager to impart his knowledge and inspire a new generation of musicians.
Martin Qi teaches violin and viola at our sister school, Chiron Music Academy, and provides both regular and relief teaching for Lewis Eady Music School. His teaching has a focus on modern playing techniques and thoughtful teaching research. A graduate from the University of Auckland and Canterbury, Martin holds a Master of Music with a specialization in violin and viola pedagogy. Martin has built a reputation for connecting with students of all ages and skill levels. His teaching spans a broad range of styles, catering to beginners through to advanced players, and includes effective strategies for overcoming learning plateaus. Martin’s students have achieved notable success in performances, ABRSM graded exams, and orchestral/university auditions, reflecting their hard work and dedication.
Mirabella Uphof joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2024 and teaches piano/keyboard, as well as relief teaching on a number of instruments. Mirabella began learning piano at the age of 3 and developed a strong passion for musical performance and composition.
While her foundation is in classical music (ATCL diploma from Trinity College London), Mirabella has also cultivated a deep passion for jazz. Mirabella’s diverse experience includes directing choirs, collaborating with chamber groups, and directing steel bands, in which she also performs. She has also accompanied choirs and opera singers, gaining exposure to musical theatre and opera. Mirabella is currently studying for a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and aims to enhance her musical journey and skills alongside this.
Nonoka Ohta joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2024 and teaches piano. Born and raised in Japan, Nonoka moved to New Zealand in 2019 and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts at the University of Auckland. Music has been a constant presence in Nonoka's life since she first started playing the piano as a child. In addition to the piano, she also took up the euphonium and trombone at primary school, participating in various concert bands and jazz bands both in Japan and Auckland throughout high school. Since commencing her piano studies at university, Nonoka has successfully competed in numerous competitions, including winning the Schubert Class in the 2023 IRMTNZ Competition. Nonoka is passionate about all things piano and looks forward to seeing her new students!
Otis Christoffersen joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2024 and teaches guitar and bass guitar. Otis has just completed a Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland and is now providing his passion for music, specifically his guitar and bass skills, to many different artists within the Auckland music scene. Along with being able to apply his distinct artistic style to other artists' music, Otis is also focusing on his own solo endeavours.
Richard Linklater joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2006 and teaches drum kit. Richard has over 30 years’ experience drumming at a professional level in many different genres of music including jazz and world-fusion. Over the years, Richard has performed at many events including Sweetwaters, WOMAD, the Taupo Arts Festival and the Percussive Arts Festival at Victoria University.
Robert Li joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2024 and teaches piano. Robert started learning piano at the age of five and have enjoyed music all his life. Classically trained, Robert has a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree from the University of Auckland and a Trinity LTCL Diploma. Over the years, Robert has participated in various music activities as a soloist, in chamber ensembles, and as an accompanist with choir groups around Auckland.
“Music is the universal language of our world, and it brings me joy to share my musical knowledge and experience with my students.”
Sarah Christie joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2021 and teaches singing, piano, keyboard, and Musical Jam. Born into a musical family in South Africa, Sarah knew from a young age that being a musician was the only job she'd ever want and wasted no time in getting started! Sarah began to develop her passion for all kinds of music and performance from the age of four and participated in years of vocal competitions, recording children's albums and musical theatre performances. As an adult, she went on to study at the Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand (MAINZ) and is currently completing a musical arts degree with the focus being on vocal performance and piano. Since then, Sarah has discovered a love for teaching and sharing her passion for the healing quality of music.
Tianling Lu joined Lewis Eady Music School in 2021 and teaches violin and music theory. Ever since she picked up the violin at the age of seven, music has been a major part of Tianling's life. She enjoys playing in orchestras and holds an Associate of Trinity College London Diploma in Violin Performance.
Tianling loves that, through music, she can help students connect, enrich lives, and have fun!
INTRODUCING OUR MUSIC SCHOOL SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERS…
ALISSA HUNT
| ADMINISTRATOR / incoming manager 2025 |
Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Alissa holds a degree in Healthcare Management and brings extensive administrative experience. As the first in her family to move abroad, she has embraced the challenge and excitement of starting a new life in Aotearoa New Zealand. With a proven track record in administration and customer service, along with a results-driven approach, Alissa will step into the role of Lewis Eady Music School Manager in 2025.
She is eager to foster a love of music and support students on their musical journeys. In her free time, Alissa enjoys exploring New Zealand’s scenic landscapes, staying active, and experimenting with new culinary creations.
GEORGINA CHASE
| ADMINISTRAtOR |
Georgina joined the Lewis Eady team on a part-time basis. She has diverse administration experience gained whilst living in London and previously trained and worked as an environmental geologist.
When not in the office, Georgina is kept busy by her toddler, her preschooler, and DIY home renovation projects.
ADITYA MULIK
| ADMINISTRATOR |
Aditya is the newest addition to the Lewis Eady team. With a master’s degree in professional accounting from AUT, Aditya has eight years of experience in the accounting sector working for various NZ-based companies. When not in the office, you are likely to find Aditya at the gym, travelling, or enjoying a nice BBQ with friends.
