GUEST SPEAKERS
Tim Topham BMus, DipEd, MBA (Educational Leadership), and DipPianoPerf (AMusA) with Distinction.
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An internationally recognised leader in music education, Tim Topham has been helping to reshape and recharge the traditional landscape of instrumental music education since founding TopMusicCo in 2010. Tim’s vision of a more creative, modern and integrated approach to music teaching has seen him speak on stages from the USA to UK and Australia, including the 2024 Keynote to the Music Teachers’ National Association of America in Atlanta. Tim is the author of No Book Beginners, a leading text demonstrating the many benefits of delaying reading in beginner music teaching. |
Dr Hannah Darroch DMus, MMus, BMus(1st Class Hons), LTCL, MBA Arts Innovation
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Dr Hannah Darroch has been described as “a musician comfortable both in the ancient and the modern – a master of musical communication, demonstrating total mastery of her instrument.” She was Principal Flute of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Artist Teacher at the University of Canterbury’s School of Music in 2024 before leaving to become the new Chief Executive of SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music. |
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Gillian Ansell LRSM, ARCM, MNZM  Credit: Latitude Creative |
Gillian Ansell MNZM is a founding member of the New Zealand String Quartet. Originally second violinist, she became the violist in 1989. Gillian teaches violin, viola and chamber music at the New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī and has been Artistic Director of the Adam Chamber Music Festival, since 2001. In 2008 she became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to music. Read more... |
Dr Sarah Watkins BMus Canterbury, MMus DMA Juilliard School (New York), AIRMTNZ
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 Credit: Lydia Searle |
Dr Sarah Watkins has enjoyed an impressive and busy career as a collaborative pianist. She performed across Australasia, Asia, the USA and Europe as a founding member of NZTrio from 2002-2018 and now enjoys a wide variety of collaborations with musicians throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Sarah is a graduate of the University of Canterbury (NZ) and the Juilliard School in New York City, where she earned both Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in collaborative piano. |
Dr Martin Emo PhD, MEd, GradDipTheol, GradDipTchg(Sec), BMus
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Dr Martin Emo is a Lead Adviser for Learning Design in the Curriculum Centre of the Ministry of Education Learning Area Lead (Arts, Social Sciences, Health and Physical Education). He is based in sunny Whakatū (Nelson) and brings extensive experience in curriculum, assessment, pedagogy and digital technology in Music. Beyond his educational expertise, Martin is also known as DJ Tunesifter – “one who sifts the tunes”. He performs his unique blend of funk, soul, disco, hip hop and latin for festivals, street parties, regular club nights and private functions, bringing the same thoughtful curation approach to music that he applies to educational design. |
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Brenda Oakley – MENZA
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Based in Rotorua, Brenda brings over two decades of experience across classroom teaching, itinerant music instruction, and private tuition. With a passion for helping young people grow in creativity and confidence, Brenda is a strong advocate for the value of the arts in education. Her work is grounded in the belief that music can be a powerful tool for personal and academic growth, and she is committed to supporting meaningful, connected learning experiences for students across all aspects of music education. Brenda is currently HOD Music at John Paul College, and a Board Member of MENZA with a focus on Itinerant Music Teachers in Secondary Schools. |
Assoc Prof Graham McPhail BMus (Hons), DipTchg, MMus, AIRMTNZ
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Graham is Associate Professor in the School of Curriculum and Pedagogy, in the Faculty of Education and Social Work, at the University of Auckland. He took up this position in 2015 after twenty years of work in the secondary education sector including three years as the National Moderator for NCEA Music. His current research is centered on the role of knowledge in the curriculum, in particular within C21 schooling and music education contexts. |
Pete Rainey BMus, Dip Tchg, MNZM
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Pete is an event producer, and his company Rockquest Promotions ltd has been producing music events, including the smokefreerockquest Secondary Music Competition, nationally for almost 40 years. He has extensive governance experience, currently being a fourth -term Nelson City Councillor, as well as holding board positions with local Arts organisations including the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts (formerly Nelson School of Music). He is Chair of the New Zealand Choral Federation and the Big Sing Committee and has been the artistic director of Opera in the Park in Nelson since 1999. He was awarded the MNZM for services to music in 2013. |
Alvaro Saura Moreno BMusEd (Murcia), MMusTher (Barcelona)
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Originally from Spain and now based in Nelson, New Zealand, Alvaro Saura Moreno is an educator and performing arts teacher with a background in music therapy. He studied Education and Music Education at the University of Murcia and completed a Master’s in Music Therapy at the University of Barcelona. In Spain, Alvaro worked as a music therapist with elderly people and adults with special needs, and after moving to Aotearoa, he continued this practice as registered music therapist, working with adults with disabilities and young people with neurodiversity who wanted to learn music. Alongside this work, he has taught guitar, double bass and bass guitar at the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts and Nayland College, and he currently teaches Performing Arts at Nelson Intermediate School. |
PUBLIC CONCERT
We are delighted to announce that Sarah Watkins, Gillian Ansell, and Hannah Darroch will join forces to showcase their exceptional talents in a public concert on Thursday, 9 April 2026
Watch this space for details as they come to hand.
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