Leah Munroe
Director- M.Mus, LRSM, LTCL
Leah has over 20 years experience teaching flute, piano and music theory at all levels with high standards of excellence. In addition to private teaching, she conducts for the award-winning North Shore Winds. Leah uses a practical, down‐to‐earth approach to teaching and learning, and she encourages a high level of personal responsibility in her students. Her students have been accepted to study at Auckland University, Victoria University (Wellington), Waikato University, Melbourne University and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Leah studied at The University of Auckland, completing a Masters degree in Flute performance under Luca Manghi in 2014. She has performed with many orchestras as a freelance artist and engages regularly as a session musician and exam accompanist.
She is also an active composer and arranger, receiving several commissions for orchestral work and film and is the author of the popular Marimba Mix series.
Instruments taught: Flute, Piano, Piccolo, Recorder, Saxophone, Clarinet
Kent Isomura
M.Mus
Kent Isomura holds a Master of Music with First Class Honours in Piano Performance at the University of Auckland under the guidance of Stephen De Pledge.
Kent has been a prize winner in numerous competitions including the prestigious Auckland Gala Concerto Competition (3rd Prize), Christchurch National Concerto Competition 2015 (2nd Prize), 2013 (3rd Prize), and Semi Finalist in the Malta International Music Competition.
As a collaborative pianist, Kent has performed with world renowned artists such as Alexander Gebert (Germany) and Martin Rummel (Austria). Kent Performed the Schubert Arpeggione Sonata with cellist Alexander Gebert (Prof. at Hochschule für Musik Detmold) at the International Akaroa Music Festival. In 2011, Kent collaborated with Cellist Martin Rummel, performing in the ‘Sofia Gubaidulina Festival’ which they received an outstanding review for their performance of Shostakovich’s Sonata in D minor. Kent collaborated once again with Martin Rummel for two occasions in 2013, in the Popper Centenary Concert and The University of Auckland Fermata Series performing some of the unexplored works of David Popper.
In 2015, Kent was chosen as one of four pianists to participate for the inaugural collaborative piano fellowship for the prestigious Heifetz International Music Institute in United States. Kent Received coachings from world renowned artists such as Timothy Eddy (Juilliard School/Orion String Quartet), Atar Arad (Indiana University Violist), Steven Doane (Eastman School of Music Professor of Cello), Hagai Shaham (Tel Aviv University), Lawrence Dutton (Emerson String Quartet Violist), Patinka Kopec and Nobuko Imai.
Kent has had concerto appearances with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra. In 2017, Kent along with his brother/violinist Shauno (together known as the Isomura Brothers) embarked on a national concert tour with a special instrument the 'Tsunami Violin', which was made in remembrance of the deceased and hopes for the survivors of the 2011 Japan Tsunami & Earthquake. The concert at the Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber was performed to a full house audience. Isomura Brothers had the privilege to tour with this special instrument for the first time in New Zealand.
Kent is currently the staff piano accompanist at the University of Auckland School of Music.
Instruments taught: Piano
Elizabeth Mandeno
MA
Elizabeth Mandeno is a 2017 Freemasons NZ Opera Artist. She has a BMus (Hons) in Classical Voice Performance with First Class Honours and a BA in Italian language and literature from the University of Auckland. In 2013-14, she was a Freemasons Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist with NZ Opera, where she understudied mainstage roles as well as touring schools and mentoring young singers as part of the company’s education programme.
In 2015-16 she studied at the Wales International Academy of Voice under the tutelage of Dennis O’Neill and Nuccia Focile, receiving a MA (Distinction) in Advanced Vocal Studies. Elizabeth has extensive experience in both stage and concert performance, and regularly performs as a soloist with national and local opera companies, choirs and orchestras.
Instruments taught: Voice
Ashleigh Fraser
M.Mus
Ashleigh Fraser is a classical flute player who recently completed her MMUS in classical flute performance at the University of Waikato. Music has been a passion of Ashleigh's from a young age. She has achieved highly as a soloist and collaborative musician, and has been recognised by the University of Waikato for her achievements, receiving two University of Waikato Blues Awards and the Norah Howell Music Award. Notably, Ashleigh was selected to play with the NZSO National Youth Orchestra in 2020 and 2021.
Ashleigh has over five years of experience teaching students of all ages, both in group and private settings. She believes that musical education plays an essential role in development and is excited to share her love of music with aspiring musicians
Instruments taught: Flute, Recorder
Jonathan Lau
Jonathan is a dedicated and enthusiastic piano teacher with a passion for music education. His qualifications speak to his love for music, having achieved a Grade 8 certification in each from ABRSM in both piano performance and music theory. His interest in the music field lies in composition, being the winner of the 2020 APO Secondary School Composition competition. He is currently in his final year of a Bachelor of Music majoring in composition at the University of Auckland, and is committed to advancing his knowledge in music.
Also a confident performer, Jonathan currently is a bassoonist for the North Shore Winds, Auckland Youth Orchestra and occasionally for the Auckland Symphony Orchestra.
Jonathan is passionate about providing his students with the tools and resources they need to succeed, including technical skills, music theory, and a strong foundation in musicality. He strives to instill in his students a lifelong love of music and the skills they need to become confident and capable musicians.
Instruments taught: Piano
Yvonne Wang
ATCL
Yvonne started learning music at the age of 6 by playing the piano back in Taiwan. When moving here she continued with her music, and also added violin to her list. In addition to piano, she began learning Clarinet in 2013 and has achieved an ATCL diploma.
While she graduated University of Auckland with First Class Honours in Software Engineering, she found that her passion for music was much higher and has decided to focus on that after graduation. In 2021, she achieved two awards in the NZCBA nationals, for best tertiary and overall solo performance.
She has been teaching ever since 2019 and wants to continue to share her passion of music to students of all ages.
Instruments taught: Clarinet, Piano
Natasha Port
B.Mus (Hons), DipABRSM
Natasha has been playing the bassoon for 14 years and recently graduated from the University of Auckland with an honours degree in performance music.
Throughout her years of study Natasha has had the opportunity to do some part-time relief teaching as well as taking on a senior/tutoring role in several musical groups, some of which include the National Youth Symphonic Winds and the North Shore Youth Symphonic Wind Band. Natasha has also recently completed a four-year apprenticeship as a brass and woodwind instrument repair technician and is currently a full time technician at ABI Music.
In addition to her studies and work with ABI Music, Natasha has a wide range of orchestral and ensemble experience. She has played in temporary positions with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra, and Hamilton’s Opus Orchestra, as well as being a regular performer with Orchestras such as the Wairua Symphonietta, Auckland Youth Orchestra and the NZSO National Youth Orchestra.
Natasha is excited to be a member of Scherzo, and is looking forward to introducing the many challenges and rewards of the bassoon to her students.
Instruments taught: Bassoon
Felicity Than
M.Mus, ATCL
Felicity has over 15 years experience teaching piano, oboe, clarinet, and recorder. Growing up in a musical family, music has always been a part of her life and Felicity continues to enjoy sharing her love of music with the students she now teaches of various ages and stages. Felicity has been teaching the oboe, clarinet, recorder, and piano privately and at various schools around Auckland including St Kentigern College, Mt Albert Grammar, Westminster Christian School, and Milford Primary School. Felicity has had a number of students receive distinctions for their music exams and is committed to helping her students in their overall development as a musician.
Felicity studied at the University of Auckland, completing her Masters of Music in performance oboe, under Martin Lee in 2018. She received her ATCL diploma in Piano performance in 2007. She has performed as a freelance oboist with many orchestras around New Zealand including the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Opus Orchestra, Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra as well as various smaller groups. She continues to maintain a busy performance schedule with different groups around the Auckland region and beyond as well as accompanying her students for their exams.
Instruments taught: Oboe, Piano, Clarinet, Recorder
