The RVS Music Academy provides an avenue for students to receive music tuition on-site during the school day, both vocally and in a variety of instruments. Throughout the year, students will have opportunities to perform, be that in school assemblies or publically with the school orchestra or choir. In 2021 tuition will be given in the following instruments:
Clarinet
Drums
Guitar
Keyboard
Saxophone
Ukulele
Vocals
OBJECTIVE To support the holistic education of children by giving RVS students the opportunity to discover and develop their musical abilities and share them with others for the glory of God.
PHILOSOPHY
Learning music teaches many life skills, encourages commitment, enhances memory, gives confidence, and provides many other unique opportunities for growth of character.
A student need not show special talent in order to be eligible for music-making.
Everyone has the capability to make music and everyone should have the opportunity to learn music.
Sharing music with others is important for improving musical and performance skills: using our talents to bring enjoyment to others is a Godly concept.
Stephanie is the Coordinator of the RVS Music Academy. She teaches guitar and ukulele lessons, oversees the school choirs and orchestra, and will also be teaching music lessons in some of the Junior school classes this year.
Stephanie grew up singing and learning to play piano, recorder, guitar, bass guitar and mandolin - some in lessons, some self-taught. She began playing in her church’s youth and main worship teams at the age of 10 and began leading worship as a young teen. Fast forward 30+ years and you will still find Stephanie playing and leading worship in church with great enjoyment alongside her husband Mark (an excellent bass player) and some of their four children. A life-long lover of learning and music, Stephanie has in recent years been teaching herself lead guitar, solo ukulele, reading/writing/composing music (which she utilises for the school orchestra) and song writing - some of her songs are being used in churches today.
Stephanie has a real passion for seeing children discover and enjoy their natural God-given musical talent and develop this confidently into skills God can use for His glory. She is motivated by a vision of the music academy students becoming the next generation of band members and worship leaders and as a music teacher knows her calling is “to nurture and prepare all the holy believers to do their own works of ministry, and as they do this they will enlarge and build up the body of Christ.” (Eph 4:12 TPT).
CHARLOTTE PANOHO
Charlotte is a 22 year old, who has graduated from home education in Marlborough. Her nationality is British/Māori/Chinese with audio and visual arts being a ‘second language’. She has recently worked on NZ films as a camera assistant, and in the Entertainment Industry as a theatre technician, and is currently involved in the founding stages of an Arts academy with the vision of glorifying Christ and discovering Marlborough’s inheritance through the arts.
For 11 years she trained in piano, under the expert tuition of Linda Lloyd and others and learnt clarinet and saxophone through the Marlborough School of Instrumental Music. She gained her Trinity College Grade 8 Piano and won community scholarships, and a regional chamber music competition with clarinet, whilst also playing for local orchestras. After picking up jazz saxophone and jamming on guitar with Ni-vans she studied for a teaching diploma in 2017 with a desire to equip students with skills to engage with a broad range of creative environments. Through her lessons, she hopes to give students increased confidence in their chosen instrument, a strong foundation in notation, rhythm and chord structure, and encouragement to expand their thinking. Her greatest joy is to see students go further than herself.
ALISON DIGHT
Alison teaches vocal lessons at RVS. With over 30 years of performing on stage, she has competed in many vocal competitions and performed in over 15 theatre shows. Alison studied vocals and drama at Excel School of Performing Arts, graduating in 2003. She is currently completing a qualification in Contemporary Voice Teaching. Currently Alison is a vocal tutor at Kids Can Sing and spends her spare time performing in Blenheim Musical Theatre shows as well as singing in the Worship team at Elim Church. Alison is a professional Director and Actress. Alison is a mother with her two eldest children currently at RVS.
Alison believes that singing is beneficial to students for several reasons. Learning to sing can improve not only a student’s voice and performance skills but can also help the following:
strengthens the immune system
is a natural antidepressant and improves mental alertness
boosts confidence
broadens communication skills
ANNIE HARPER
Annie grew up in Scotland in a musical family and school taking part in musical productions, plays and attending choir during her school years. Later on when she first arrived in New Zealand she sang with the Nelson Civic Choir, including singing with them in multiple performances at the Nelson School of Music, and also at Opera in the Park 2005.
Annie has been playing drums in church music teams for more than a decade and is currently playing regularly at Nativity Church. Since coming on board at RVS in 2018, Annie has been working at broadening the drum course to enable more students to develop their physical co-ordination and ability to play rhythms and beats in effective ways, with great results. Annie is married to Hamish and they have four children, who all attend RVS; Fiona, who is one of the pioneer seniors, Ciaran, Alastair and Caitlin. She is a qualified veterinary nurse and along with music she enjoys cycling, swimming, reading, arts and crafts in her free time.
Annie’s desire is to help her students to learn and grow through music and to inspire them to be future musicians and equip them with great drumming skills, musical knowledge and theory.
LAURA PEDERSON
Laura grew up with a love for music, art, and serving people. Over the years she has been involved in several choirs, church music teams, Christian Camping NZ and various other Christian organisations. Laura tutors our Junior School Choir. She is very passionate about seeing children develop a love for music whilst having fun along the way - she often incorporates actions and NZ Sign Language to help the children with their words and keeping the songs lively.
Laura is a busy mum of two who attend RVS, and in her spare time she serves at Elim Church on the music team, M&M's, Superkids and wherever else she is needed or able.
