Auckland
Clarinet Lessons | Piano Lessons, Saxophone Lessons
Bio
Billie is an itinerant clarinet and saxophone teacher at Murrays Bay Intermediate School, Rangitoto College and Ōrewa College. She has experience teaching students from 5 – 50+ years of age, and is welcoming students of any level to her studio in the Silverdale area.
Billie has performed as a soloist with the St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra and won Third Place in The International Clarinet Association Young Artist Performance Competition in 2023. She was awarded the Ken Wilson Memorial Prize for the highest marks in clarinet performance at the University of Auckland for four years in a row.
Though Billie specialises in clarinet, she also works as a collaborative pianist, regularly accompanying musicians in their performances and exams. As well as accompanying classical music, Billie has experience playing for musical theatre. She has accompanied auditions and rehearsals for shows such as Wicked (North Shore Music Theatre) and Mary Poppins (G&T Productions). She also regularly accompanies vocalists for their singing exams and competitions.
Teaching Info
Billie helps students work towards their personal goals, whether that be completing ABRSM/Trinity grade exams, increasing their confidence performing, or exploring repertoire. She prioritises student mental health and leads with compassion in her teaching, guiding students to craft a practice routine that works for them. Billie teaches theory and aural components alongside performance.
Billie’s varied background gives her a wide range of knowledge to draw from in her teaching. Her Masters research investigated early clarinets and historically informed performance, giving Billie a deep understanding of the Classical and Romantic styles on the clarinet. Additionally, her experience in the musical theatre world has enabled her to explore a wide range of music, giving her the ability to guide students through the basics of jazz and other more contemporary performance styles on both clarinet and piano.