Our Training Courses
The Institute has developed training courses for studio music teachers which are open to members and non-members. This flowchart illustrates a professional development pathway for members and non-members.
own compositions, and recently also with Shapeshifter. As a sergeant in the RNZAF band he regularly represents our country at official functions at Government House, and in Anzac observances in Anzac Cove, Chunuk Bair, the Western Front. With the Rodger Fox jazz orchestra Ben has played in the 2020 Jazz Educators conference in New Orleans, (where he has also payed gigs as an independent horn player) recorded albums at Capitol studios in Los Angeles, and most recently in Bunker studios, New York.
What a wonderful life for a young musician!
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our sponsors in providing vouchers, welcome gift packs and graduation packs to our Course Participants.
Find out more about our training courses:
IRMTNZ Teacher Upskill Course – for members wishing to earn continuous professional development (CPD) points
Teacher Education Refresh (TER) Programme – for teachers who need to renew their provisional practising certificate.
Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced Courses – for musicians who have attained senior levels in practical and theory components and wish to pursue a career in teaching music
IRMTNZ Teacher Training Library
IRMTNZ members may borrow library books, videos, CDs and DVDs from the list for $7.00 per item (inclusive of GST) which covers the postage and packaging. If borrowing items in person, the charge is $5.00 per item (inclusive of GST). To obtain these, please contact the Librarian:
Wendy Hunt
513 Whitehead Road
Hastings 4120
Click here to view and save the Library List (PDF).
Please send your name, address, phone number and email address where possible, and include your cheque ($7.00 per item) made out to Wendy Hunt, IRMT Library, with your order. The item will be forwarded with a tax invoice. Rental is for one month from the receipt of the cheque and the item must be returned in a postage pre-paid bubble envelope at the borrower’s expense.
IRMTNZ Teacher Upskill Course
This course is aimed at IRMTNZ members who wish to upskill or refresh skills – in the form of self-directed distance learning with one Contact Workshop.
This course gives IRMTNZ members the opportunity to earn CPD points by attending the course,
or presenting, facilitating or demonstrating at the Contact Workshop.
Note: if you need to renew your provisional practicing certificate, you need to do the Teacher Education Refresh (TER) programme.
Accessible Affordable Achievable Affirming
See IRMTNZ Teacher Upskill Course Summary for details and apply using the IRMTNZ Teacher Upskill Course Registration Form
All inquiries should be directed to Course Coordinator, Wendy Hunt, at
Teacher Education Refresh (TER) Programme
IRMTNZ, in conjunction with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and MENZA, has developed a TER programme for Music teachers which has been running since the beginning of 2017. This is for teachers who need to renew their provisional practising certificate.
The course has 4 modules, covering Curriculum Assessment, Planning and Teaching, Tomorrows learning Communities (including health and safety), Professional Teacher Practices, and Cultural Competence. It is delivered via distance learning, in an independent learning style, and with flexible timeframes negotiable to suit the needs and interests of the candidates. Every effort has been made to keep costs to a minimum and relevance to the individual candidate paramount.
IRMT TER Registration Form here
Course details are available from Wendy Hunt at
The Ministry of Education subsidised the cost of this course for the first 5 eligible participants who applied (from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021) – these places are now full. New participants will need to pay for this course themselves.
NOTE : If you are a Music teacher teaching on a Limited Authority to Teach (LAT) TER does not apply to you. You will need to send your application for a LAT to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand in the usual way. Please see The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand website for more details.
Foundation Course
The Foundation Course is designed for musicians who have attained senior levels in practical and theory components and wish to pursue a career in teaching music.
Please read the Foundation Course Summary for information about course objectives, learning outcomes, time frame and course outline. The IRMTNZ Foundation Course Registration Form is also available. If you live in the Auckland area, consider applying for the Thelma Gordon Scholarship Grant (please contact the Auckland branch for details.)
All inquiries should be directed to Course Coordinator, Wendy Hunt, at
Intermediate Course
This course helps course participants acquire and apply a wide range of technical skills relating to pedagogy and teaching methods for the candidate’s chosen instrument at the Grade 4 – 5 level and follows on from the Foundation Course.
Please read the Intermediate Course Summary for information about course objectives, learning outcomes, time frame and course outline. The IRMTNZ Intermediate Course Registration Form is also available.
All inquiries should be directed to Course Coordinator, Wendy Hunt, at
Advanced Course
This course follows on from the Intermediate Course and covers networking, pedagogy and detailed studies of music types. Participants must commit to three phases of study and a practical workshop day.
Please read the Advanced Course Summary for information. The IRMTNZ Advanced Course Registration Form is also available.
All inquiries should be directed to Course Coordinator, Wendy Hunt, at
