MUSIC BOX ACADEMY TUTORS
Anna Wild
Drum Tutor
Anna has always had the passion and rhythm for drumming and has been playing the drums for the past decade. Anna has had experience tutoring in Rotorua both privately and at Lakes Performing Arts Company before moving to Wellington where she now teaches here at Musicbox Academy. She has impressive experience working with Jazz, Concert and Brass bands across the country playing both behind the kit and with auxiliary percussion.
She has been in the lineup for multiple New Zealand festivals, including Newtown festival, CubaDupa and Winterfest in Queenstown. Anna is currently finishing her final year studying Commercial Music at Massey University. Anna is excited to share her love of music with you and her knowledge in drumming to the next generation of musicians.
Home Tuition is also available!
David Lester
Advanced Guitar Tutor / Owner
David Lester has been studying music for over a decade and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Rock, Jazz and Commercial Music. David has explored and performed many styles of music over his musical journey, including but not limited to: Blues, Jazz, RnB/Soul, Metal, Pop, Reggae and many others. Whether you are a student or an established artist – David will guide you to reach your goals!
June Potifara
Piano & Vocal
June Potifara is a passionate musician from Auckland with a background in classical performance. She graduated from the University of Waikato a few years ago with a Bachelor of Music (Honours), majoring in Classical Voice Performance - Opera. June is currently studying towards a Master of Music Therapy at the New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University here in Wellington. From a very young age, June has always been passionate about music, and is deeply passionate about helping others explore and express themselves through music in whatever way, shape, or form. She is excited to share this fun musical journey with each and everyone of you!
Jasper West
Guitar & Bass Tutor
Jasper has been playing music since he was three years old and has had many years of being the student as well as the teacher. He has Bachelor's degree in Commercial Music and is interested in blues and country music as well as pop punk icons like Green Day. Jasper is looking forward to bringing joy to learning music and helping you reach your goals!
Hanno van den Berg
Guitar & Bass Tutor
Hanno is a bassist, guitarist, singer and songwriter studying his Music Therapy Masters at Te Herenga Waka. Originally from South Africa he is qualified with a BMus degree and many years of writing, performing, recording and tutoring experience. He also creates is own original music under the name Well Done Sun.
Melissa O'Rourke
Piano Tutor
Melissa has been playing piano for the past decade, and has a deep appreciation for all genres of music. She started teaching privately in her home town Whakatāne, then moved to Wellington where she is currently studying a Bachelor of Music majoring in Jazz Performance at Victoria University of Wellington. She has taught in multiple settings around the Wellington region, and has a keen interest in exploring classical, jazz and blues genres with her students. She believes music is the best form of self-expression and is excited to help you on your musical journey!
Ashleigh Cole
Piano & Vocals
CEO / Founder of Music Box Academy
With over 11 years of teaching experience, Ashleigh Cole has shared her vocal talents, songwriting skills and piano knowledge with hundreds of her students.
In 2016 she Graduated the Whitireia School of Music leaving with a Bachelor of Arts in Rock, Jazz and Commercial Music Performance, majoring in vocals.
Continuing with her itinerate music teaching at various schools in the wellington region, she then moved onto teaching her own songwriting curriculum at Whitirea/TeAwaha School of Music in the Star Songwriting Course for aspiring Wellington songwriters.
Sharing and creating music with people has been one of her biggest passions, and that is what inspired her to open Music Box Academy in 2018.
With the help of small local cafe, ‘Le Maquis’ in Wadestown, Wellington. She began teaching piano and vocals there, and soon overflowed to the Wadestown Community Centre, where she now has a team of talented musicians that teach Drums, Guitar, Piano, Vocals and more.
"Music Box Academy is my dream and I want to bring as much joy and inspiration through music to the community that I can. I love what I do and I want to help more aspiring Wellington musicians find their voice in music, while giving back to the Wadestown community."