TUTOR SPOTLIGHT: NATSUKI NOMICHI
Multi-instrumentalist Natsuki has been teaching piano and keyboard at Lewis Eady Music School for two and a half years. Born and raised in Japan, Natsuki came to New Zealand in 2016 to pursue her dream of teaching music. Natsuki is a strong advocate of music education and currently teaches students ranging from 3 to 70 years old!
LEMS: Let's start from the beginning!
Big House Creatives!
NATSUKI: I started learning piano when I was four years old in Japan. My best friend and I went to lessons together through the Robert Pace method, a creative, holistic approach from the USA that uses the alphabet instead of the Do Re Mi names. 11 years of intensive piano and voice training gave me a strong foundation for becoming a music professional and allowed me to be more creative.
I moved to the Big House in Auckland alongside 22 artistic flatmates, including my partner Cam*. Being constantly surrounded by music made me more of a pianist, keyboard and Celtic Harp player!
*Cam taught piano/keyboard at Lewis Eady Music School. He has recently released a book, 'Microtonality in 55 Keys'.
LEMS: Who are you inspired by?
NATSUKI: Fujiko Hemming, Cécile Ousset, Enya, Joe Hisaishi, Cécile Corbel, Ajeet Kaur, and New Zealand musicians Whirimako Black, Maisey Rika, Dan Poynton, and composer Alex Taylor (my partner's brother).
I believe music is a peaceful yet powerful tool for personal growth and expressing feelings. Music has no age limit or gender - it is a universal language that can travel through time. But there is still a lot of gender inequality in the music industry. I especially appreciate and respect the strong female pianists, composers and musicians out there.
LEMS: How are you finding teaching at the LEMS?
NATSUKI: I teach at several partner schools of Lewis Eady Music School. There is a lot of diversity in New Zealand schools, each with different strengths - some have Hub type classes and others with Māori medium education. I use resources that suit students' strengths and try to engage with music relevant to them, such as Māori waiata.
I strongly believe that music affects child development. Lewis Eady Music School gives opportunities to students who may not necessarily receive music education.
LEMS: Any recent musical highlights?
NATSUKI: I have just finished a summer tour of New Plymouth, Wellington, Napier and Auckland with ‘F.R.E.D and The Ned Niamh Show’ with Jesse Sheehan, Cam Taylor, Louis Andrew Newton, Karen Hu, Alexa Kimono, Niamh O'Keeffe and Anabela Francesca Rea. It was a fantastic experience!
LEMS: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
NATSUKI: In ten years, I see myself still here in Aotearoa, continuing my dream job! I'm currently teaching students from 3 to 70+, but I'd love to learn more about alternative education including Steiner, Kodály and Dalcroze.
I also play the Celtic and lyre harps, so teaching those and incorporating more movement and art into my lessons are some of my goals for the future. And I intend to continue studying piano through ABRSM with hopes of taking my FRSM later on - the musical journey continues!
Natsuki with partner and fellow musician, Cam. Photo by Minon Fernando.
Lewis Eady Music School delivers instrumental music lessons to 1,300 students at 30 partner schools across Auckland and our music studios in Epsom.
Learn a musical instrument with us this year - complete an online enrolment form today!