This video is great for de-stressing your voice and it is also a great way to keep your voice at its best or improve your voice. I have been using this with my pupils and they love it (as I do). The synth pads in the backing track add a different dymention that I really enjoy. If you have any questions please ask and I will get back to you straight away! Rocking Regards Geoff Day Head Teacher @ The Rock Academy

Why The Rock Academy Holiday Programme Is So Cool (and Seriously Fun) If you’ve got a young musician at home who loves music (or just needs a confidence boost and something exciting to do in the school holidays), The Rock Academy Holiday Programme is hard to beat. Based right here in **Wellington**, it’s packed with music, mates, and real-life performing experience kids remember for years. A holiday programme that feels like being in a band This isn’t a “sit quietly and learn

Young buskers, big sound — and over $100 earned There’s something special about seeing young musicians step out into the world, plug in (or tune up), and share their music with anyone who’ll stop and listen. During our recent holiday programme, a group of our students took that leap — busking with confidence, playing a mix of pop favourites and rock classics, and learning what it really means to perform. Pop hooks, rock riffs, and real-world experience Armed with guitars, a p

If you’re looking for a school holiday programme in Wellington that does more than just ‘keep kids busy’, busking might be the most powerful (and fun) confidence-builder you’ll ever see. At The Rock Academy, we take kids busking most holidays as part of our holiday programmes. Time and time again, we’ve watched students transform — not just as musicians, but as people. What is kids’ busking (and why do we do it in our Wellington holiday programmes)? Busking is performing musi

Last week, something pretty special happened in Wellington — 8 young bands from The Rock Academy got the chance to jump on stage and play to a huge crowd gathering outside Hnry Stadium. Before the main event kicked off, the area was already buzzing with energy. People were arriving early, the atmosphere was building, and our students got to experience what it’s like to perform when the audience is big, loud, and ready for live music. A Real Stage. A Real Sound System. A Real

There’s something special about live music in Wellington — especially when it happens right in the middle of Cuba Street. Recently, three of our female vocal students from The Rock Academy (Wellington) took their singing out of the lesson room and into the real world with a fun busking session on Cuba Street. They performed with confidence, drew a large crowd, and (most importantly) had an absolute blast doing it. From vocal lessons to real performance confidence In vocal les

Finding a school holiday activity that keeps teenagers engaged, active, and inspired can be a challenge. If you are looking for an epic, creative, and confidence-building school holiday programme in Wellington, look no further than the Winter School Holiday Programme at The Rock Academy. The featured photo on our website tells the whole story. It showcases four talented local teens—aged between 13 and 15—fully immersed in a high-energy music session. In the image, three music

Music is much more than just a hobby; it is a universal language that brings us joy and profoundly heals both kids and adults. Whether we are learning to play, writing songs, or simply listening, being involved in a music project can completely transform our mental well-being and outlook on life. [1, 2, 3, 4] Here are 6 reasons why being involved in a music project brings us so much happiness: Building Confidence and Self-Esteem Mastering an instrument or sharing your musical

Meet Theo, an extraordinary 8-year-old who has already made significant strides in his musical journey. With just one year of guitar under his belt, Theo has become a shining star in our music community, showcasing his talent and passion for the instrument. From Open Chords to Finger Picking Theo started his guitar journey by mastering open chords, a fundamental skill that lays the groundwork for any aspiring musician. His dedication has allowed him to progress to basic fing

Harmony in the Garden: Jackson and Geoff Live and the Power of Practicing Musicians There’s a special kind of synergy when music meets a beautiful setting. This was the case recently when Jackson and Geoff, the head music teachers at The Rock Academy Music School, performed a captivating gig. The duo played their own original music in the beautiful garden of a mansion that once served as the Greytown Hospital – a truly memorable experience. This event highlights the profound

What happens when you mix a classic, bouncy jazz track, a young guitar shredder trying out the piano, and a perfectly timed double video bomb? Pure, unscripted holiday programme gold! During our last school holiday programme, we caught a brilliant moment on camera that perfectly captures the creative, hilarious, and unpredictable energy here at The Rock Academy. The backdrop? The cheerful, syncopated rhythms of "The Jazz Entertainer" by Dick Walter playing through the room. T

Let’s set the scene. You’re a young, aspiring musician. You’ve practiced your three-chord progression until your fingers are calloused. You’re ready to hit the cold, hard pavement for your first busking session. But just before you step out, you look at a sheet of neon star stickers and think, “Yes. This is the missing piece.” It sounds ridiculous, right? Wrong. Putting stickers on your face before a gig isn't just a fun pre-show craft project. It is a scientifically unverifi

Finding a friend who shares your passion is like hitting the perfect high note. At The Rock Academy’s holiday programme, that’s exactly what happened for two young singers who walked in as strangers and left as a powerhouse duo. A Holiday for Musical Minds The holiday programme isn’t your typical childcare. Designed specifically for musical kids, it’s a high-energy mix of songwriting sessions, band jamming, and even daily busking trips to the streets of Wellington. For these

There is nothing quite like the buzz of live music, especially when it’s echoing down Bay Road on a stunning, sunny Wellington day! During our recent holiday programme, we took a very talented trio—Can, Marlon, and Sawyer—out to Kilbirnie for a spot of busking. With Can shredding on the guitar, Marlon holding it down on the keys, and Sawyer delivering powerhouse vocals, they absolutely stopped traffic. More Than Just Music: The Power of the Performance Beyond playing great so

There’s a curious pattern we’ve noticed at our band school—one that’s both incredibly rewarding and, honestly, a little puzzling. Out of all the services we offer, the parents of our band students give us the most enthusiastic, heartfelt feedback. They talk about transformation, confidence, friendships, and a kind of joy they didn’t expect. They tell us their kids are more motivated, more expressive, and more connected than ever before. And yet… this same program gets the few

Are you looking for a way to keep the kids inspired, active, and entertained these school holidays? The Rock Academy is back with another high-energy holiday programme, and we want you to be part of the rhythm! From April 13th to April 17th, we’re opening our doors for five days of music, movement, and monumental fun. A Perfect Harmony of Music and Play At The Rock Academy, we believe the best holidays are a mix of creative expression and burning off energy. Our programme is

When people hear I’m teaching a four-year-old piano, the first question is usually: "Can they even reach the pedals?" The short answer is no. The long answer is that, at this age, the piano is less of a technical challenge and more of a giant, 88-key playground. While our technical progress might seem slow by traditional standards, the musical growth happening in our sessions is nothing short of incredible. Here is what I’ve learned about teaching the youngest generation of m

The Excitement of Playing in a Band: Music, Friendship, and Fun For many musicians, one of the most exciting steps in their musical journey is joining or starting a band. While learning an instrument on your own can be rewarding, playing music together with other people brings a whole new level of energy, creativity, and enjoyment. Making Music Together When you play in a band, each person brings something unique to the group. One musician might play guitar, another might pla

Why Learning Cover Songs Like “Where Is My Mind” Is Great for Young Musicians One of the most exciting moments for young musicians is learning to play songs they already love. For many beginner guitarists and band students, learning a cover song can be both motivating and inspiring. A great example is the iconic song “Where Is My Mind.” When students recognise a song and realise they can actually play it, their confidence grows instantly. For beginners, learning music takes t

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