Piano
Anita Schwabe
Tutor: Anita Schwabe
B.Mus.Hns (Jazz Piano)
Anita Schwabe is a jazz pianist and composer currently tutoring at the New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University, Scots College, Wainuiomata High, and Aotea College.
She has studied here in New Zealand and has a Bachelor of Music First Class Honours and did further study at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in the Netherlands, Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada, and Berklee College of Music in the USA.
She has performed at all the major festivals in NZ with her own groups and as a member of the Rodger Fox Big Band, which has toured both here in NZ and in the USA.
In 2020, she was a recipient of the Wellington Jazz Festival Commission and wrote a suite of music called “A Snapshot of Wellington,” with photography of Wellington by Saskia van Dijk accompanying the suite.
In 2018, she won the APRA award for best jazz composition for “Spring Tide,” which was released on her CD Eat Your Greens. She was also a finalist in the 2021 APRA jazz awards. One of her big band compositions features on the album The Rodger Fox Big Band plays Hone Tuwhare, and she was commissioned to write a big band composition for the Royal New Zealand Airforce big band album Kaiwhakatere.
She teaches beginner students, jazz/blues styles, classical, and popular music, and encourages improvisation and creativity with her students. Trinity piano exam preparation is optional.
Schedule
During School Hours: Tuesday and Friday
Irene Lau
Tutor: Irene Lau
ARA.M; LRAM; LRSM; FTCL
Irene Lau was born in Wellington. She began lessons in Wellington and furthered her studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Upon graduating, she became a lecturer at the Coventry School of Music.
She is a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians (UK) and the Institute of Registered Music Teachers (NZ).
As a student, she gained numerous piano awards, and in 2001, Irene was elected as an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (London). This award honours past students for achieving distinction in their profession.
On her return to New Zealand, she became an itinerant specialist teacher at several Wellington colleges, teaching piano, coaching Chamber Music Competitions, accompanying, and helping examine NCEA performances. Irene Lau’s students have gained many music awards and prizes. She puts her students for ABRSM: Trinity, St Cecilia Exams, AMEB, or other music exams.
She enjoys teaching children and derives much pleasure from working with young people.
Schedule
During School Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday