Just a quick note to say a huge thank you for the wonderful 3 days Ellie has experienced at the Rock Academy this week. It was better than she imagined it would be, and gave great results. Ellie is really a classical studies student with a little piano, a lot of formal choir work and Grade 5 violin. She has enjoyed the more 'out there' aspect of the band this week. Please pass on our thanks to Brent for his very positive tuition. Thank you for this excellent programme. Linda McBurney (parent)
“I have loved going back to piano lessons after thirty years! I learned piano as a child and although I only learned for a couple of years it was amazing how much I remembered as an adult when I took up lessons again. I enjoy working on new pieces every week and look forward to my lesson. With 2 young children around I find that playing the piano in the home brings a lot of joy and fun, it also provides me with a different and creative focus. I would highly recommend taking up any instrument as an adult! Fiona Mogridge (piano student)
“Firstly, my partner Donna and I would like to thank you for the violin lessons you are giving April; Thursdays have become her favourite day of the school week as a result!” Huia Hanlen
"The Lewis Eady Rock School has been a huge hit with our boys. Well- organised with great tutors and the chance to compose music and rock out over 3 days - what better way to spend the holidays!" Jennifer Ward-Lealand
"St Joseph’s Orakei has benefitted in many ways through its association with Lewis Eady. Having Lewis Eady in our school has provided students with easily accessable and affordable music tuition. Through group learning children enjoy the social element and musical rewards that come from learning and playing together. Students learning the guitar through Lewis Eady have played in School/Parish Masses alongside the teacher.
Credits are given by Lewis Eady for each pupil enrolled, for the school to use - we have been able to purchase a range of instruments using these credits. Lewis Eady has provided music scholarships which has made it possible for pupils who might not otherwise have the opportunity, to learn an instrument.
It is through Lewis Eady nominating our school, that St Joseph’s received 25 free ukuleles.
It is also through Lewis Eady that our school received an invitation to a free concert put on by the APO for school students.
Lewis Eady is very supportive of schools in their efforts to provide music for their pupils. I fully endorse the Lewis Eady initiative, as I have seen individuals, and the entire school, benefit enormously from this amazing arrangement!"
Here are some comments from pupils in my class re: Lewis Eady lessons:
• "I enjoy learning from Lewis Eady because it is more enjoyable with a friendly teacher."
• "I learned all I know about instruments from Lewis Eady and I’m very grateful for them."
• "I enjoyed learning the violin and it was a great experience. It was nice to learn the violin because it made a peaceful sound and I love Music."
• "I really enjoyed the keyboard because the teachers were really nice, and the recorder because we did fun competitions." Sue Bennett (DP St Joseph’s Orakei)
"Lewis Eady has helped me so much with my music and guitar skills. They have a great holiday programme called Rock School and I love going there. The tutors are awesome and are a lot of fun. Thank you Starship and everyone at the Guardian Angel launch for giving me the Lewis Eady voucher. I’m going to use it at the next Rock School. Music is my life!" Campbell Mackenzie (guitar student)
"Andrew started piano lessons about three years ago. He was very keen to learn piano at that time, and for that reason, even though I thought it might be too early for him, we let him start.
Andrew progressed very slowly. He struggled to learn to read the notes and to coordinate his hands independently of each other. We had many battles getting him to try; and to concentrate. I think we were pretty close to giving up, as it was a source of considerable tension.
Since coming to Lewis Eady, first with Flavio and now with Teresa, Andrew’s enthusiasm for and concentration when playing the piano has picked up considerably. He now goes to play without being asked, and he appears to finally be learning to read the notes and understand a bit of the bigger musical picture. While some of this could be due to increased maturity, I think a large part of it is due to Teresa’s style with Andrew. He is delighted with her teaching style, and so am I.
Thanks again. You have made a huge difference." Judy (parent of piano student Andrew)
