Individual Lessons

Rosemary Moon-Sun Song

Teacher, Orff-Schulwerk Instructor, Collaborative Pianist

Rosemary Moon-Sun Song is a collaborative pianist based in Auckland. She has extensive experience, having worked in Sydney after completing a Master of Music in Collaborative Piano at the Conservatorium of Music. During her studies, she received the Mollie Neale Memorial Scholarship and a grant from PPCA in 2010. She studied under David Miller and Maree Ryan, following her Bachelor of Music with Elizabeth Powell.

Rosemary works as a casual collaborative pianist at the University of Auckland. She holds a Master of Teaching from the University of New England and has worked at ACG Parnell College. She is also a certified Orff-Schulwerk teacher.

Nonoka Ohta

Nonoka Ohta was born and raised in Japan and began her piano journey at the age of four. She moved to New Zealand in 2019 and is currently in her fourth year at the University of Auckland, studying a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Arts conjoint degree, majoring in piano performance under Stephen De Pledge and economics.

Since commencing her piano studies, Nonoka has competed in various competitions, including being a finalist in the WAPAC Concerto Competition in 2021 and winning the Schubert Scholarship in the 2023 IRMTNZ Competition. She also enjoys performing in chamber groups at university, and her piano trio was selected as a finalist in the University of Auckland Chamber Competition in both 2023 and 2024.

Nonoka has experience in teaching beginner level to advanced students, including music exam preparation. She is passionate about all things piano and looks forward to meeting her new students!

Lucy Bai

Lucy Graduated in 2006 from Northeast Normal University with a degree in Music Education. She has participated in multiple Steinway masterclasses and completed the latest ABRSM Level 1–8 piano performance teacher training certification. Officially certified as a piano instructor, she was appointed as a member of the Evaluation Committee of the Beethoven Music Society.

With 17 years of experience, Lucy specializes in piano education for young children and teenagers, particularly beginners. Her students have consistently achieved a 100% pass rate in piano grading exams, and she has successfully organized student concerts and led participants in major piano competitions, where they have garnered numerous awards.

Kino Shi

Kino Shi is a passionate and versatile pianist and music educator based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Classical Performance at the University of Auckland, having previously studied Jazz Performance at the New Zealand School of Music.

Kino’s qualifications include ABRSM Grade 8 Piano with Distinction and ABRSM Grade 6 Music Theory with Merit. He has performed extensively, including recitals of works by Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin, and has premiered an original composition at a TEDx event. Kino has experience teaching students of all ages and levels, helping them develop technical skill, musicality, and confidence.

Bernini Chan

Violinist | Teaching Artist | Arts Administrator

Education:
• Doctor of Musical Arts – University of Houston (USA)
• Master of Music (Distinction) – DePaul University (USA)
• Bachelor of Music (Honours) – The HK Academy for Performing Arts

Born in New Zealand, raised in Hong Kong, and educated in America, Bernini brings an international perspective to her career. She performs with a wide array of ensembles, including symphony orchestras and baroque ensembles. Since returning to NZ in 2024, Bernini has performed with the Auckland Philharmonia and Auckland Chamber Orchestra.

Trained in both traditional and Suzuki pedagogy, she is experienced in teaching beginners through advanced-level students of all ages.

Irene Kim

Irene Kim is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Viola Classical Performance at the University of Auckland. Irene has performed with various orchestras in Auckland, including the Auckland Youth Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia. She serves as the principal violist for the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra.

Her teaching journey began in high school, where she taught violin at holiday music camps. Known for her patience and dedication, Irene tailors her teaching approach to each student’s unique temperament and needs.

Shek Wan Li

Hong Kong born Shek Wan Li is currently serving as the Sub Principal Violist at the Auckland Philharmonia. He holds a Master’s degree in Viola Performance from the Indiana University Jacob School of Music and a Bachelor’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music.

His past orchestral work includes positions with The Orchestra Now, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, and the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra as principal violist. With a deep desire to share the joy of music, Shek Wan envisions himself as a promoter of musical joy.

Diana Sanz Pascual

Spanish cellist Diana Sanz Pascual earned her Bachelor's degree from the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid and her Master's degree from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Diana is a regular casual player of the Auckland Philharmonia and has performed with European orchestras such as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Diana has over 12 years of teaching experience. She has taught in Spain and the Netherlands, where she was based the past four years.

James Yoo

Convenor of Classical Performance, UoA

James Yoo is the Convenor of Classical Performance and Director of Undergraduate Studies at the School of Music, University of Auckland. He teaches cello and chamber music and is dedicated to inspiring and mentoring the next generation of musicians in New Zealand.

James was a member of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra for four years. As a member of the Jade String Quartet, he performs around 20 concerts each year. He studied at the Sydney Conservatorium, the Musikhochschule in Cologne, and The University of Waikato.

Claire Xu

Claire Xu has been playing the cello since she was 8 years old. She has won numerous prizes such as first places in the North Shore Performing Arts Competition and National Young Performer Awards. She passed LTCL in 2021.

Claire has played in the Auckland Youth Orchestra, University Symphony Orchestra and Auckland University Student Chamber Orchestra. Apart from cello playing, she is also very passionate about calculus and studies Mathematics and Computer Science.

Annie (Kexin) Zhang

Born in China and raised in New Zealand, Kexin completed her Master of Arts in flute performance from the Royal Academy of Music in London. She is a rising flautist who made her concerto debut with the Auckland Youth Orchestra in 2022. She is the principal flute of Auckland Youth Orchestra, a position which she held for 6 years.

She has successfully obtained the Licentiate of Royal Academy of Music (LRAM) in flute teaching. She utilizes a student-centred approach, fostering a supportive environment and solid success in ABRSM grade exams.

Tomomi Johnston

Tomomi began learning the clarinet and saxophone at the age of ten in Japan. She completed an Honours degree with First Class Honours at the University of Waikato and a Master of Music from the University of Auckland. Tomomi works with leading ensembles such as the Auckland Philharmonia and Royal New Zealand Ballet.

From 2020 to 2025, Tomomi served as President of the New Zealand Saxophone Society. She is dedicated to supporting young musicians in Aotearoa.

Victor Zhu

Victor has a passion for music with 20 years of performance experience and 10 years of teaching. He is currently the Drum tutor of SL Drum School and Auckland Drum School. He participated in the 2024 World Choir Competition in New Zealand and won first place in the C1 champion group.

对音乐有着执着的热爱。拥有20年的演出经验和10年的音乐教学经验。目前担任SL Drum School资深架子鼓老师和Auckland Drum School架子鼓老师。作为“成都美歌者童声合唱团”的打击乐手一起参加2024年新西兰世界合唱比赛获得C1冠军组世界第一名。

Albert Lee

Drummer, Jazz Pianist, Director of Jazz

Albert studied Drumkit at the New Zealand School of Music but graduated with a Jazz Performance degree in Jazz Piano. He is currently the Director of the Jazz Programme at Saint Kentigern College. Every year, his students and ensembles consistently win top honours at national competitions.

Student Achievements in 2024:
• Most Outstanding Combo Musician – National Youth Jazz Competition
• Most Outstanding Arranger – National Youth Jazz Competition
• Top 3 Finalist – National Jazz Improvisation Competition