One of the first challenges new guitar students face is learning how to keep their instrument in tune. A guitar that’s out of tune can make even the simplest exercise sound wrong, which can be frustrating for beginners who are trying their best to learn. That’s why clip-on chromatic tuners have become such a valuable tool for beginner guitar pupils. Simple to Use Clip-on tuners are designed with ease of use in mind. They attach directly to the headstock of the guitar (or bass

At The Rock Academy , we don’t just teach music — we build bands, confidence, creativity, and serious stage presence. Designed for students ages 9 to 16 , our program gives young musicians the skills, structure, and support they need to grow — while keeping the energy high and the experience genuinely fun. Because let’s be honest: rock and roll should never feel boring. 🎶 Learn the Instruments That Power the Band Students at The Rock Academy train in the core instruments tha

One of the absolute highlights of our recent holiday programme was working with two incredibly talented 11-year-old singers who brought confidence, energy, and a real love of music with them from day one. These two young performers already loved to sing — and it showed. They weren’t shy about stepping up to the mic, trying new songs, and giving it their all. That kind of confidence is something special. But what made the experience even more exciting was seeing just how quick

When most people think of piano lessons, they picture classical pieces and formal recitals. But at The Rock Academy NZ, we love turning that idea on its head. Playing rock songs on piano — even high-energy bands like AC/DC — is not only possible, it’s incredibly fun. Rock music on piano builds power, rhythm, coordination, and confidence. Driving bass lines in the left hand, punchy chords in the right, and strong rhythmic patterns transform the piano into a full band experienc

One of the absolute highlights of our holiday programme at The Rock Academy NZ isn’t just the music — it’s the epic games of Four Square that take over the playground each day! If you’ve ever watched a group of kids playing Four Square, you’ll know how quickly it turns into a mix of fast feet, quick reflexes, big smiles, and lots of laughter. At Rock Academy, it’s no different. The game is always full of energy, friendly competition, and plenty of memorable moments. Inclusive

At The Rock Academy NZ , I bring over eight years of experience playing both guitar and drums, along with a genuine passion for helping students grow in confidence and skill. I’ve performed live with a range of bands at events including the Auckland Jazz & Blues Festival, Battle of the Bands, and the KBB Music Festival, giving me strong real-world performance experience that I bring into my teaching. My musical background includes playing in high school Jazz Band and Big Band

Robbie has been coming to our holiday programme for about a year now and he is seriously good. Up until now he has been playing in a band at our school. We have been secretly hoping that he joins our band school as he is so good. During the January holiday programme his mum mentioned he would like to try a session at our band school as he wanted a band slightly more focused and serious about results. Jackson (our band mentor and head teacher at our holiday programme) and I we

Playing rock and pop music together in a band is authentic, enjoyable and engaging experience for kids and teenagers. When young musicians rehearse, share goals, and work on songs they like, the group dynamic adds motivation and enjoyment that individual practice doesn’t always provide. There’s a clear social benefit: band participation encourages teamwork, cooperation, and communication. Playing music with others gives students a sense of belonging and shared purpose, and fr

I love listening to my daughter and cousin playing and singing. Such a wholesome family activity. We get lots of family members learning together and it forms great bonds whether it be siblings or parents and kids together. Our mobile service can even accomodate small family bands, where we come to your house to mentor and coach a novice band. If you play a bit of music but have never played in a band, you don't know what you are missing. Hit us up for some free advice about

Of course it’s not. Here at The Rock Academy we teach all styles (perhaps not Mongolian throat singing, but we’re not ruling it out in the future!). Our music teachers specialize in many different genres, including folk, pop, jazz, blues, classical, music production (recording with computers) musical theatre, and country of course. Rock music remains a strong foundation for beginner pupils. The musical arrangements in rock remain fairly basic but the skill comes in the form o

Hi, I'm Leo! I'm a third year composition student at Victoria University, and a passionate multi-instrumentalist as well. I've been writing and playing music my whole life, and I am proficient in drums, guitar, bass and keyboard. My studies have given me a deep knowledge of music theory, so I can provide a solid musical foundation in addition to instrumental skills. I love learning and I love music — outside of university I produce electronic music and have been working on my

Fight Club , featuring Barnaby, Tom, Blake, and Henry , recently played a live show to a packed room of friends and family. It was an exciting night and a big step for the band as they took the stage with confidence and energy. Playing live is a great experience for young musicians. It helps build confidence, encourages teamwork, and shows kids what can happen when they practice and support each other. Having a full room cheering them on makes the experience even more special

We absolutely love it when there’s a huge turnout at our band school concerts. There’s something special that happens when the room is full, the energy is high, and the young musicians step onto the stage knowing they’re supported. For the kids, that support means everything. Seeing a crowd of family, friends, and music lovers cheering them on helps build confidence and turns nerves into excitement. Each clap, smile, and word of encouragement reminds them that their hard work

This week the Rock Academy is running their school holiday programme which is lots of fun. The kids go busking every day, play hand ball/4 square, table tennis, have lunch at the cafe and make new friends. The singers use a microphone when out busking and the young musicians play either guitar or keyboards. On Thursdays we set up all the band equipment and make some noise!!!

Over the last 15 years, we’ve witnessed a powerful and encouraging change in the music world—particularly when it comes to young girls picking up instruments, joining bands, and stepping confidently into creative spaces that were once heavily male-dominated. When we first began running our holiday programmes, the difference was striking. For every girl who enrolled, there were often ten boys . Girls were present, but they were vastly outnumbered, and many were hesitant to tak

Holy Grail: Forging Their Sound at Rock Academy At Rock Academy Band School, we’re proud to support young musicians as they grow in skill, confidence, and creativity. One band that truly embodies this journey is Holy Grail —a dedicated group of students who continue to develop their sound through commitment, collaboration, and live performance. Holy Grail is made up of Leo  on vocals and guitar, Jonty  on drums, Tane  on keyboards, and Will  on guitar. Together, they bring en

Empowering Youth Through Live Music Performance In a world where screens dominate so much of young people’s time, finding meaningful, confidence-building experiences away from devices has never been more important. One powerful and often underestimated tool for youth development is live music performance . Beyond learning notes and rhythms, stepping onto a stage can help young people build confidence, manage social anxiety, and reconnect with real-world interactions in a heal

When you walk into the EBIS school hall on any given day during our holiday programme or catch a session at Band School on Cuba Street, you’ll probably hear it before you see it — that silky smooth bass line  that pulls everything together. That’s the magic of our resident bassist, a true style guru and a cool customer with serious musical flair. At just 14 years old, she’s already mastered the kind of bass presence that makes every jam session feel tight and every groove fee