Our tutors have been hand-chosen based on a specific balance of skill and character. All of the Music House tutors have the ability to teach at least 2 instruments, and they are all actively involved in performance in some way. More importantly, they all have the ability to create a friendly, relaxed learning environment.
Rheed Beverland
TUTOR – Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano, Ukulele
rheed.beverland (at) musichouse.co.nz
Why are you a musician?
I can’t picture a life without music, it sounds cliche but it’s a daily routine for me now, and I can’t imagine going without. Every now and then a moment occurs (musically) where you find yourself with goosebumps down your arms and it is such great feeling.
Why are you teaching music?
Seeing the smile on someone’s face when they finally get a piece perfected is the best thing in the world.
Learning music myself has for sure changed my life and showing others the steps I’ve gone through to get to where I am is extremely rewarding.
What are you up to at the moment (musically)?
At the moment I’m just enjoying where I’m at. My band is going well and I love playing gigs and writing music with them. Recording an album is the next step for sure.
How would you describe your teaching style?
I like to keep the lesson fun and teach students what they want to learn. A good way to learn is for me to squeeze new skills and techniques into something they love listening to and playing so they walk away with a new skill and a smile.
Jordee Farmer
TUTOR – Piano, Guitar, Vocals, Drums, Ukulele
jordeefarmer (at) gmail.com
Why are you a musician?
When I was a young girl music was constantly playing within our home, for as long as I can remember I listened to all sorts of my parent’s crazy music, going to shows and singing together on car rides. So, music and performing have been something that I have always loved and had a passion for.
Why are you teaching music?
I loved my music tutors, they are still some of the coolest and most influential people I have ever met. I loved the way they truly invested in me and helped me to develop my musicianship over the years. This is something I would really love to do for the people I teach, to champion them and help them to develop their abilities and knowledge so they are equipped to find their own love and passion for music.
What are you up to at the moment (musically)?
I have had the absolute privilege of being in the band Albert street, and have loved playing in shows, competitions, festivals, and local gigs with them. They are some of the coolest people I know and they have helped me develop as a musician so much over the last few years. I also love and have developed a passion as a solo artist, writing music, performing covers, and just having fun with my voice and guitar.
How would you describe your teaching style?
Music is one of the things that has blessed me most. It is a tool that is used to portray and message, create a feeling and something that should be enjoyed and experienced by everyone! Although it is super important to create a great foundation and theory knowledge, I believe it is just as important to have fun, create memories, and ultimately love what you do!
Yaw Asumadu
TUTOR – Guitar, Drums, Bass, Ukulele, African Drums, Flute, Xylophone
yaw.asumadu (at) musichouse.co.nz
Why are you a musician?
I am a musician because I love it. I come from a family of musicians so music was all around me as a child. I then trained for 12 years in Ghana with an orchestra which gave me a solid base from which to extend. I have enjoyed performing on stages around the world, leading bands and accompanying others.
Why are you teaching music?
I teach music because I love it and I want to share it with others.
What are you up to at the moment (musically)?
I am currently composing my own music which would be considered ‘Fusion Music’ – fusing Jazz and Afro-Funk with other styles. I have recently finished recording an album and am looking forward to ‘mastering it’ so it can be shared with the public. I also teach a community African drum class on Tuesday nights in Hamilton and teach guitar, drums and ukulele in a range of schools locally. Whenever I can, I perform African Drums, flute, bass, drum kit and xylophone in Auckland and Hamilton at various venues and events.
Mitch Walker
TUTOR – Drums, Guitar, Ukulele, Piano
mitch.walker (at) musichouse.co.nz
Why are you a musician?
Music has always been a huge passion of mine since as early as I can remember, looking up to musicians on stage and thinking “I want to do that”. I enjoy community and creativity and music allows me to connect these two together in a career I thoroughly enjoy.
Why are you teaching music?
I love equipping the next generation with the skills to express themselves, connect with others and learn how to focus and grow a new passion .
What are you up to at the moment (musically)?
I am currently involved with several originals and cover bands, often playing gigs across the country. I also do session drum work for local artists/bands and help produce local music.
How would you describe your teaching style?
Learning should be a fun and enjoyable experience while still balancing the theory necessary to advance in their chosen instrument.
Zak Trenwith
TUTOR – Drums, Guitar
Why are you a musician?
Why are you teaching music?
What are you up to at the moment (musically)?
How would you describe your teaching style?
Jordan Carpenter
TUTOR – Bass, Guitar, Ukulele
carpainterguitar (at) gmail.com
Why are you a musician?
I started playing because my older brother’s band needed a bass guitarist when I was 14. Within 2 months of picking up the instrument we were playing live shows.
Why are you teaching music?
I was inspired to teach by the tutor of my guitar ensemble in high school. He encouraged us to explore as many different styles of music as possible, from blues and jazz to reggae and heavy metal. He proved to me that you could be a grown up teacher and still be ‘cool’ at the same time.
What are you up to at the moment (musically)?
I play in progressive metal band Achilles Complex, blues/funk/rock band JP Drag Kings, make my own music and bass guitar covers for my YouTube channel from home and teach rock bands at middle schools.
How would you describe your teaching style?
I approach teaching with the intention of making sure my students are learning songs they enjoy playing and are appropriate for their stage of development as a musician. My goal is to instil an understanding of the students role as an instrumentalist so they can build a skillset to perform and create music with others and share their personal enjoyment in a live performance setting to the best of their ability.
Jacob Smith
TUTOR – Drums, Guitar
Why are you a musician?
I grew up listening to all sorts of music and at the age of 8 I decided to play the drums, and I’ve never looked back. In doing so I have met some awesome people and had some great experiences.
Why are you teaching music?
It is so rewarding as a teacher to experience other peoples enjoyment and satisfaction in learning a new skill. Having many awesome teachers on my musical journey has had a huge impact on me, and I would like to inspire new students in the same way that they did.
What are you up to at the moment (musically)?
I am the drummer in the band Albert Street. We love to play live and have played at many cool gigs and festivals including, Soundsplash and Festival One. I also love to write original music with my mates.
How would you describe your teaching style?
I believe that music is about having fun! I like to teach the basics of an instrument first before giving the student an opportunity to tell me what they would be interested in learning.
Paul Trenwith
TUTOR – Banjo, Mandolin, Ukulele, Bass Guitar, Slide Guitar
paultrenwith (at) gmail.com
Why are you a musician?
I started learning ukulele when I was about 13, from my Mum, and have loved music ever since. Almost 60 years later, I still enjoy the sound of musical instruments played singly or with others, and I love both the simplicity and complexity of bluegrass music.
Why are you teaching music?
Helping other people get the same enjoyment from playing a musical instrument as I have had is one of the great rewards of being able to play.
What are you up to at the moment (musically)?
I teach from my home in Hamilton East; I play in the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band at occasional gigs; I play in an ‘Irish’ band named Reelmen, at ceilidhs and parties, and with two of my four sons, Sam and Tim, in a group playing original and contemporary music with a ‘bluegrass’ groove.
How would you describe your teaching style?
I like students to learn the basics of the instrument – for banjo, a simple picking style, basic chords, and how to play with other musicians; for mandolin, how to pick melodies as well as how to play chords and fit in with other musicians. As soon as possible, I like to get my students to ‘play along’ with simple songs, as well as playing specific melodies. Mostly, how to have fun.
Sam Trenwith
MANAGING DIRECTOR and TUTOR – Guitar, Drums, Saxophone, modern Piano, performance Vocals
sam (at) musichouse.co.nz
I’ve grown up playing music, having parents that toured New Zealand frequently. Guitar was a compulsory instrument to learn while growing up, but I also learnt the drums, saxophone, bass and piano. In my teenage years I started writing music, playing in rock and jazz bands, and performing on stages throughout New Zealand.
I’ve had success with my original music on NZ radio and recorded eight albums. I like being able to pass on musical knowledge and especially the ‘love’ of music. I am excited when a student finds his/her own love of their instrument.
My greatest musical moment was having an original song voted into the top 20 at the NZ Silver Scroll awards, alongside Dave Dobbyn, Elemeno P, Shihad and others.
I’m currently playing in four bands; Late 80’s Mercedes (swing/funk), The Trenwiths (alt-bluegrass), The Kool Club (jazz), The Sam Trenwith Band (party covers).
Sulee van de Steeg
ADMINISTRATOR
admin (at) musichouse.co.nz
