Teachers

 

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.

In addition to solo and chamber performances, Nonoka has experience in accompanying choirs and other instrumentalists. She served as an accompanist for the Takapuna Grammar School Choir from 2020 to 2021 and has also accompanied ABRSM grade exams for various instruments.

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!

Graduated in 2006 from Northeast Normal University with a degree in Music Education. I have participated in multiple Steinway masterclasses and completed the latest ABRSM Level 1–8 piano performance teacher training certification.

Officially certified as a piano instructor, I was appointed as a member of the Evaluation Committee of the Beethoven Music Society.

With 17 years of experience, I specialize in piano education for young children and teenagers, particularly beginners. My students have consistently achieved a 100% pass rate in piano grading exams, and I have successfully organized student concerts and led participants in major piano competitions, where they have garnered numerous awards. I am dedicated, patient, and confident, with proven, effective methods for working with children.

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, Victoria University of Wellington.

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. He has placed in regional and international competitions, including the IRMTNZ Wellington Youth Music Recital Competition and the Fenix Award International Music Competition.

Kino has experience teaching students of all ages and levels, helping them develop technical skill, musicality, and confidence through tailored lessons and guided performance and assessment opportunities.

Piano Teacher | Collaborative Pianist

Victor Lei Fu is a piano teacher with nearly 15 years of teaching experience in both China and New Zealand. He is fluent in English and Mandarin and has extensive experience in bilingual teaching.

He is currently in the final year of his Classical Piano Performance study at the University of Auckland. He studies with Stephen De Pledge and Katherine Austin, and also receives specialist training in collaborative piano with Rosemary Barnes.

Victor has participated in the Lancaster International Festival in the United States, where he gave solo performances and attended masterclasses with internationally renowned pianists, including Alexander Kobrin. In 2025, he served as a faculty member at the New Zealand International Young Musicians Festival, providing guidance and musical coaching to piano students.

Alongside his music career, Victor holds a qualification in Early Childhood Education and has over five years of experience working with young children. He is known for his patience, warm teaching style, and strong ability to build trust and positive relationships with students. He carefully observes each child’s learning pace and interests, and designs personalised lesson plans to suit their individual needs.

With his background in early childhood education, Victor is especially skilled at working with young beginners. He focuses on encouraging children, developing their confidence, and helping them enjoy the learning process while building solid musical foundations. He believes in guiding students step by step and supporting them through challenges in a positive and motivating way. Many of his students have achieved excellent results in ABRSM examinations.

As a collaborative pianist, Victor regularly works with choirs and instrumentalists. He is a resident accompanist for The Cloud Children’s Choir and frequently provides accompaniment for individual vocal and instrumental performances.

Violinist | Teaching Artist | Arts Administrator

Born in New Zealand, raised in Hong Kong, and educated in America, Bernini brings an international perspective to her burgeoning career as a violinist and educator. An uncommonly versatile violinist, Bernini performs with a wide array of ensembles, including symphony orchestras, baroque and contemporary music ensembles, and operatic productions. Her diversity allows her to collaborate with artists of contemporary classical music: Itzhak Perlman, Ana Maria Martinez, Eric Whitacre, Richard O’Neill, Hans Graf, Mei-Ann Chen, Gerard Schwarz, Elim Chan, and the late Krzysztof Penderecki. Since her return to New Zealand in 2024, Bernini began playing with the Auckland Philharmonia, Auckland Chamber Orchestra, and Bach Musica NZ.

Passionate about teaching and passing musical knowledge to the next generation, Bernini has mentored young musicians for 15+ years in Houston, Chicago, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen. Trained in both traditional and Suzuki pedagogy and registered in Suzuki Books 1 to 6, Bernini is an experienced educator with beginners through advanced-level students of all ages. A strong advocate for the importance of music and the arts in people’s lives, Bernini is dedicated to helping each individual student develop their musical voice while gaining discipline, critical thinking, resilience, learning agility, and collaborative skills. Appointed by the Houston Symphony Orchestra as a Community-Embedded Musician Fellow in 2023, Bernini is also engaged in sharing musical knowledge to a wide diversity of groups in the community such as elderly homes, children’s hospitals, and homeless shelters.

During her free time, Bernini enjoys being with family and friends to spend time in nature, visit museums, tryout new restaurants, watch a movie, or just read a good book under the sun.

Irene Kim is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Viola Classical Performance at the University of Auckland. Her musical journey began at ages 6 and 7, when she started learning the piano and violin, but it was at age 15 that she discovered her true passion for the viola. Since then, Irene has performed with various orchestras in Auckland, including the Auckland Youth Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia, as well as ensembles within the Korean classical music community.

Throughout her high school years, Irene won numerous solo awards and medals at competitions across Auckland and excelled in the New Zealand Chamber Music Contest. She was appointed section leader in high school and performed as a soloist at the prestigious KBB Music Festival. Irene’s leadership skills have continued to grow, as she now serves as the principal violist for the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra, a role she has held since her first year. She has also participated in masterclasses with renowned musicians, including award-winning soloist Yuri Zhislin and Alexander McFarlane, Associate Principal Viola of the NZSO.

She has also had the privilege of working with members of the NZ Trio, including cellist Ashley Brown and violinist Amalia Hall, in chamber music settings. Beyond her university commitments, Irene frequently performs at events, galas, and weddings across New Zealand. Her teaching journey began in high school, where she taught violin at holiday music camps. As she entered university, Irene became even more passionate about teaching and helping her students embark on their own musical paths, many of whom have joined orchestras.

Known for her patience and dedication, Irene tailors her teaching approach to each student’s unique temperament and needs, ensuring a nurturing and effective learning environment. Irene is willing to inspire and guide her students in developing their musical skills while fostering a lifelong love for music.

Hong Kong born Shek Wan Li is an accomplished violist with extensive experience in orchestral and chamber music. Currently serving as the Sub Principal Violist at the Auckland Philharmonia. Previously performing with the New World Symphony , He has also played with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. His past orchestral work includes positions with The Orchestra Now, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, and the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra as principal violist. Shek Wan was also principal violist of the New England Conservatory Orchestra.

In chamber music, Shek Wan was a member of the Denali String Quartet from 2019 to 2021, enhancing their collaborative skills. As a soloist, he performed with the Hong Kong Children Symphony Orchestra during a concert tour of Europe and America in 2015, after performing with them in 2013. Throughout his career, Shek Wan has earned numerous honors, including being a finalist in the Jan and Beattie Wood Concerto Competition and the Eastern Music Festival Concerto Competition. He was awarded Second Place in the Hong Kong Strings Scholarship for Stringed Instruments and First Place in both the Viola Solo Senior and Violin Duet categories at the 64th Hong Kong School Music Festival.

Shek Wan holds a Master’s degree in Viola Performance from the Indiana University Jacob School of Music 2019-2021 and a Bachelor’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music 2015-2019. He studied with renowned violists Atar Arad, Edward Gazouleas, and Marcus Thompson, and worked with esteemed chamber music coaches, including the Borromeo and Pacifica String Quartets. He has also worked under the baton of renowned conductors such as Hugh Wolff, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Stéphane Dèneve.

Shek Wan continues to thrive in the classical music world, showcasing his artistry and commitment to excellence. Beyond the orchestral realm, Shek Wan finds joy in chamber music, highlighting his versatility and collaborative spirit. With a deep desire to share the joy of music, Shek Wan envisions himself as a promoter of musical joy, spreading the transformative power of music to all they reach.

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, where she studied in the class of Gideon den Herder.

As a performer, Diana is a regular casual player of the Auckland Philharmonia and has performed with European orchestras such as the Residentie Orkest den Haag, Noord Nederlands Orkest, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra or the Orquesta y Coro de la Comunidad de Madrid. She has a great passion for chamber music, which led her to win the 1st prize of the 'Jesús de Monasterio Chamber Music Competition' in 2018 with her quartet, and in 2023 she was awarded the Jeunes Talents distinction in France as a member of Dúo Nim. She has been regularly invited to perform in chamber music festivals in Europe.

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

Begonia Chan is a passionate and multifaceted cellist whose musical journey began at a young age. Starting with the violin at age four and the piano at five, Begonia's true calling emerged when she picked up the cello at nine. Her talent quickly became apparent, leading to her admission into the Shenzhen Arts School within two years, where she studied under the nurturing guidance of Prof. Yi Hao Zhang.

In 2013, Begonia was scouted by the Royal Conservatoire The Hague to study under acclaimed cellist Lucia Swarts in the Netherlands, where she earned her Bachelor's degree by age twenty. She then pursued a Master’s degree at the Hochschule für Musik Dresden in Germany under the tutelage of Ramón Jaffé and graduated in 2021 with full marks.

As a versatile musician, Begonia has performed with various orchestras, ensembles, and as a soloist in renowned venues such as the Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Kozerthaus Berlin, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, De Doelen Rotterdam, and the Hong Kong City Hall. She has had the privilege of working with celebrated conductors including Christoph Eschenbach, Valery Gergiev, Manfred Honneck, Krzysztof Urbański, Antony Hermus and Benjamin Zander. Notably, she performed as a soloist with the Baden-Baden Philharmonie in 2019 and was solo cello for the performance of Stockhausen’s Orchester Finalisten at the Holland Festival in 2017.

Begonia has excelled in numerous competitions, winning prizes at the Hong Kong Youth Strings Competition, the Hong Kong Virtuosos Music Competition, and the Princess Christina Competition in the Netherlands. She also participated in the National Cello Concours of the Cello Biennale Amsterdam in 2016.

Her artistry has been further enriched through participation in top summer festivals such as the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, International Summer Academy Mozarteum, and the PyeongChang Music Festival, as well as masterclasses with esteemed cellists including Jian Wang, Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt, Laurence Lesser, Troels Svane, Julian Lloyd Webber, Hans Jensen, Louise Hopkins, and Wolfgang Boettcher among many others.

Begonia has firmly established her presence in the local arts scene since relocating back home to New Zealand in late 2021, and won her first professional orchestral audition with the Auckland Philharmonia in 2022, where she currently holds a tenured position as Tutti Cello.

James Yoo was born in South Korea and began playing the cello at the age of seven. He studied at the Sydney Conservatorium, the Musikhochschule in Cologne, and The University of Waikato, receiving lessons and masterclasses with Maria Kliegel, Susan Blake, Thomas Tsai, Pieter Wispelwey, Pinchas Zukerman and Truls Mørk, among others.

James 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. Many of his students are contributing to the music community, with some receiving recognitions in competitions across New Zealand and Sydney.

In addition to his teaching, James has a vibrant performance career. In 2005, he won the NSW Secondary School Concerto Competition in Australia, performing Dvořák's Cello Concerto with the Kuring-Gai Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2011, he won the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln Cello Competition. He has performed works by composers such as Vivaldi, Haydn, Elgar, Dvořák, Brahms, and Saint-Saëns with numerous orchestras, including the Sydney Camerata Ensemble, SBS Youth Orchestra Sydney, University of Waikato Orchestra, New Korean Symphony Orchestra, and North Shore Symphony Orchestra Sydney.

James regularly performs across New Zealand, Australia, and Asia. Since the age of 16, he has been invited to perform on Fine Music 102.5FM and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. As a member of the Jade String Quartet, he performs around 20 concerts each year. The quartet has also recorded an album with Rattle Records, titled Tapestry, featuring compositions by New Zealand composers for string quartet. James was a member of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra for four years until 2018. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with students and contributing to the wider music community.

Claire Xu studied Bachelor of Science student at the University of Auckland, majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science. With a strong focus on Algebra, she has excelled academically, earning an A in MATH 250 and maintaining a GPA over 7.5. Her passion for mathematics was evident early on, as she placed in the top 30 nationwide in New Zealand’s Otago Junior Mathematics Competition (Year 9 section) while still in Year 8. Outside of academics, Claire also plays the cello and has completed Trinity LTCL when she was 16 years old.

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 graduated with a First class Honours in Bachelor of Music from the University of Auckland. Her former teachers include Paul Edmund-Davies, Katherine Baker, Anna Noakes, Uwe Grodd and Kathryn Moorhead.

Kexin is a rising flautist who made her concerto debut with the Auckland Youth Orchestra in 2022 with performances of the Mozart Flute & Harp Concerto in Whangarei, Warkworth, Hamilton and Auckland Town Hall. She is the principal flute of Auckland Youth Orchestra, a position which she held for 6 years. During her time with AYO, she has toured with the orchestra across cities in NZ and also to Europe, culminating in a performance in the Berlin Konzerthaus. She has also worked with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

She has successfully obtained the Licentiate of Royal Academy of Music (LRAM) in flute teaching. She always utilises a student-centred approach, focussing on both fostering a supportive environment for the growth of lifelong love and enjoyment of music and also solid success proven by distinction results obtained by students in their ABRSM grade exams.

Tomomi Johnston began learning the clarinet and saxophone at the age of ten in Japan. During her school years, she was an active member of her school’s concert band, taking part in regular rehearsals and performances. She later graduated from the Faculty of Education at Oita University, where she focused on music education and studied teaching methods in the Japanese school system.

After moving to New Zealand, Tomomi completed a Diploma in Music Performance (LTCL) and continued her classical saxophone studies at the University of Auckland. Her chamber music groups, TrioNique (2017) and Hari Trio (2018), were both finalists in the Auckland Chamber Music Society Prize Competition. She went on to complete an Honours degree with First Class Honours at the University of Waikato and later earned a Master of Music from the University of Auckland. In 2019, she returned to Japan to give a solo concert and lead workshops and lectures at local schools. In 2025, she visited Japan again, performing at the Embassy of Romania alongside a traditional Romanian instrumentalist.

Tomomi continues to develop her career as a performer, working with leading ensembles such as the Auckland Philharmonia, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Auckland Chamber Orchestra, and Manukau Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed at the CANZ Nelson Composers Workshop, Clare Cowan’s The Black bird Ensemble, Akari Saxophone Quartet. With her trio TrioNique (piano, flute, and saxophone), she has toured widely, offering both concerts and educational outreach programmes. Dedicated to supporting young musicians in Aotearoa, Tomomi mentors students through the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s education programme. She has led workshops across the country, including saxophone and woodwind workshops in Auckland and Whangārei, and school visits in the South Island as part of TrioNique’s outreach tour. From 2020 to 2025, Tomomi served as President of the New Zealand Saxophone Society, organising workshops, concerts, and events. One highlight was hosting a special performance by world-renowned saxophonist Mr Nobuya Sugawa.

 

Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Katie Danforth is a versatile performer and educator. She moved to Auckland in 2024 to perform the role of Acting Associate Principal Oboe with the Auckland Philharmonia. Previously, Katie has performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Akron Symphony Orchestra, and the New Texas Sinfonia.

Prior to teaching and performing in Auckland, Katie led a large private studio and local masterclasses in the greater Houston area. A dedicated teacher, Katie is passionate about creating a comfortable and accessible environment for students to cultivate a love for music. Her students can consistently be found in the top ensembles and high school arts programs in their regions.

Katie graduated with her Master of Music in oboe performance from Rice University in 2024. Previously, she received a Bachelor of Music degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. In her free time, Katie can be found hiking and running outdoors; she also loves to relax with a cup of coffee and a great book!

 

Jonah Levy is a trumpet player from San Francisco, California. He has made a name in the trumpet world as a teacher, recording artist, soloist and orchestral player. As an orchestral musician, he has most recently served as Second Trumpet with the San Diego Symphony, Associate Principal Trumpet with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Third Trumpet with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and Principal Trumpet of the Orquesta Filarmonica de Jalisco. Jonah currently plays with the Auckland Philharmonia and will be joining them as their tenured Sub-Principal Trumpet for the 2026 season.

Levy is equally at home in the worlds of studio recording, contemporary music, jazz, klezmer and experimental art, and was lauded by the New Yorker’s Alex Ross as an “assassin of the ordinary” for his appearance as a rooftop soloist in the Industry’s “Hopscotch” opera production in 2015. Over the past decade, Levy has been heard as a member of the Grammy nominated ensemble Wild Up, as well as a substitute musician with the Hollywood Studio Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, LA Opera, San Diego Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Hawaii Symphony, LA Master Chorale, Santa Barbara Symphony, Long Beach Symphony, Fresno Philharmonic, Golden State Pops Orchestra, Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, and The Bay Brass. Jonah’s studies included summers participating in the Lucerne Festival Academy, Orford Arts Academie, Spoleto Festival USA, and the Center for Advanced Musical Studies at Chosen Vale.

His primary teachers have been James Thompson at the Eastman School of Music, Edward Carroll at the California Institute of the Arts, and James Wilt at the Colburn School. As well as vital teachers/mentors whose influence remains, including William Mitchell, Jay Rizzetto, Mark Inouye, Markus Stockhausen, Jon Lewis, Ryan Darke, and Chris Smith.

Victor has a passion for music. He has 20 years of performance experience and 10 years of music teaching experience. He is currently the Drum tutor of SL Drum School and Auckland Drum School.

• Drummer of The Cloud Children's Choir
• Tenor singer of The Cloud Chamber Choir
• As the percussionist of Chengdu Sweet Psalmist Children's Choir, participated in the 2024 World Choir Competition in New Zealand and won the first place in the C1 champion group
• The judge of the ‘GO! Youngster’ musical instrument competition of Skykiwi.com in 2021
• Performed <Phantom of the Opera> at the Bruce Mason Theatre in Auckland Moon Festival in 2018.
• Participated in the ‘Dreamwork’ in 2018 and won the third place

 

Albert studied Drumkit at the New Zealand School of Music under NZ drumset legend Lance Philip. His unique undergraduate experience saw him admitted into university as a drum scholar, but he graduated with a Jazz Performance degree in Jazz Piano, studying with internationally renowned Mark Donlon (UK).

Albert has quickly established himself as one of Auckland’s most in-demand private music educators, excelling in the teaching of Jazz and Contemporary genres. He is currently the Director of the Jazz Programme at Saint Kentigern College, where, over the past 10 years, ensembles under his direction have achieved major national success. As a Musical Director, he is also responsible for leading a large-scale music gala at SkyCity later this year.

Albert is committed to continuous professional development in musical pedagogy, and his students benefit greatly from his expertise. Every year, his students and ensembles consistently win top honours at national competitions. Many of his students have also received music scholarships at both the secondary and tertiary levels, in New Zealand and abroad.

Student Achievements in 2024

• Most Outstanding Combo Musician – National Youth Jazz Competition (chosen from 48 ensembles across New Zealand)
• Most Outstanding Arranger – National Youth Jazz Competition
• Top 3 Finalist – National Jazz Improvisation Competition
• Sole recipient of King’s School Music Scholarship (valued at $30,000 over 2 years)