Wellington

Singing Lessons | Choirs | Ensemble Coaching, Theory Lessons, Composition Lessons, NCEA Music Tutoring

Qualifications: BA (Hons), MA, PGCE
Pricing: $68 per hour (one-off), $64 per hour for bookings of five or more lessons, discounts available for tertiary students, thirty minute and forty-five minute lessons available.
Styles: Strengths in Musical Theatre and Classical technique, experience in all styles.
Suitability: All ages and stages welcome!

Bio

Michael Stebbings is a Wellington-based singer, music director and composer, specialising in musical theatre. Although originally from the United Kingdom, he’s now a fully registered teacher with the Education Council in New Zealand and has over ten years experience teaching singing and classroom music.

A passionate musician, Michael gets great joy from helping his students realise their potential and from making music with other people. A regular Music Director in the Wellington theatre scene, Michael has worked with The Wellington Footlights Society (which he co-founded), Red Scare Theatre, Backyard Theatre and Kapitall Kids Theatre. In addition he wrote the score for M’Lady, a hugely popular take on men’s rights activists and pick-up artists, as well as music for Cassanda Tse’s Long Ago, Long Ago and songs for various Kapitall Kids shows.

Teaching Info

Singing is at the core of Michael’s life. Musical expression through the voice is truly a wonderful gift and it brings him great joy to help his students find, explore and develop their voice, as well as to sing with them. Since graduating from the University of York, where he worked with John Potter and the Postgraduate Vocal Ensemble, Michael has studied with several tutors – most recently Lisa Harper-Brown. In addition, he has completed the Estill Level 1 and 2 courses in London and has a keen interest in Jo Estill’s techniques and pedagogy.

Although happy to work in all styles, Michael’s main background lies in Musical Theatre and it is here that he has the greatest breadth of repertoire knowledge and technical experience. To him, songs from musicals allow the greatest connection between singer, music and audience – so often their emotions speak straight to the soul and Michael considers himself a specialist at exploring and teasing out every nuance of a piece in a student’s performance.

In addition, Michael is an experienced music director and composer and is able to teach theory and composition, as well as provide addition coaching for students working towards NCEA exams.