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

Our Wellington holiday programme is all about creativity, confidence, and fun  — and nobody embodies that spirit quite like Savana , one of our most beloved tutors. Savana brings amazing energy  to every day of our sessions. From the moment the kids arrive, her infectious smile  puts everyone at ease and sets the tone for a positive, welcoming environment. Whether it’s a jam session, a dance around the hall, or a quick laugh between activities, Savana makes every moment feel

We are incredibly passionate and excited  to announce that in 2026  we’ll be launching guitar and singing lessons  across Wellington! This has been a long-time dream for us, and we can’t wait to bring high-energy, confidence-building music lessons to even more young musicians and families in the community. Music has an amazing way of bringing people together, building self-belief, and unlocking creativity—and that’s exactly what we aim to do with our guitar and singing lesson

At just 13 years old, Jack has already found something many people spend a lifetime searching for: a passion that truly lights him up. His journey with the guitar began a couple of years ago when he joined the Rock Academy Holiday Programme—and from that very first experience, something clicked. He had only just started lesson but seeing the older kids playing and having fun was enough to ignite the passion that he carries to this day. What started as a fun school-holiday act

If you’re looking for a holiday programme in Wellington that’s packed with creativity, confidence-building, and non-stop fun, our music-based holiday programme hits all the right notes. Designed for kids who love music (or want to discover it), this programme blends hands-on music-making with energetic activities and unforgettable experiences. Based in the EBIS school hall, each day is filled with laughter, learning, and plenty of shenanigans. When the kids aren’t working on

Last weekend, my son Luke and I had an amazing time at a live music concert at Valhalla  in Wellington. The band we went to see is a grunge band from Wellington, and the lead singer has been taking singing lessons through The Rock Academy , where I also teach vocals. It was an fun experience—not just because of the music—but because of what it meant for bonding and inspiring my son. Luke has been learning ukulele and guitar  since he was six years old, and as a teenage musici

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Jasper, Henry, and Emma  to our holiday program, and it was an absolute joy to see them in action! Jasper’s First Holiday Program Experience This was Jasper’s first time  attending The Rock Academy holiday program, and at 12 years old, he quickly settled into the environment and had an amazing time. Jasper has been taking guitar lessons for about four years , and it really shows in his playing. He knows a wide variety of songs and pla

Why Jackson is a Star at The Rock Academy Jackson is a lead teacher at The Rock Academy’s school holiday programmes in Wellington  and band school. For the past five years, he has been a driving force behind some of the most popular kids holiday programmes , thanks to his incredible musical talent and warm, inspiring teaching style. Music-Filled School Holiday Activities At The Rock Academy, our school holiday programmes  are all about creativity, confidence, and fun. Jackson

Meeting at Rock Academy One of the things we love most about the Rock Academy holiday programme is the friendships that form along the way. Annabelle and Lily are a perfect example of that. Both girls attended the holiday programme and hit it off from the very first minute. Annabelle had been to Rock Academy programmes before, while Lily was joining us during a very special time in her year — and it didn’t take long for them to become best friends. Lily’s Musical Journey Arou

A Typical Start Tom is 12 years old, plays bass guitar, and has been part of the Rock Academy holiday programme for nearly three years. Watching his musical journey has been a great reminder that learning doesn’t always happen in a straight line — and that fun is often the first step. When Tom first joined us at our holiday programme, he was a very typical nine-year-old. His main focus was having fun: activities like playing four-square, table tennis, running around the hall

In a dimly lit venue tucked between cafés and bookstores, a young band stepped onto the stage and delivered the kind of performance that reminds you why live music matters. A Room Full of Anticipation Before the first chord even rang out, there was a buzz in the crowd: the murmured expectation you hear at the start of something special. Friends, family, classmates, and curious listeners filled the space, leaning forward, waiting to see what these young artists could do. When

If you’ve ever wondered why some guitarists seem to improve at warp speed  while others struggle for months, the secret often comes down to one simple thing: individual finger coordination . Most players start their guitar journey by learning chords. While that’s great for playing songs quickly, chords rely on group finger memory . Your fingers move together as one unit — which is perfect for strumming but not ideal for mastering speed, accuracy, and dexterity. To truly devel

Hello! I’m Ruby! I’ve been playing piano for over 14 years, exploring a wide range of genres from classical to rock. I’ve studied professionally through Trinity College London, and I’m super excited to share my passion and skills with others! My biggest inspirations are my Nan, my amazing piano teacher Susanne (who’s been teaching me for 12 years!), and my dad — who’s a rockstar himself! I absolutely love working with people of all ages and can’t wait to help you reach your m

Mike's Place (c) Mike McGuiness 2002 Every now and then, a student comes along who reminds you exactly why you love teaching music — and for me, that’s Kapua Tai . I’ve known Kapua’s whānau for a while; I’ve had the absolute privilege of playing in bands with his dad, who happens to be an incredible guitarist  himself. His mum is an award-winning waiata singer-songwriter , known for her powerful voice and heartfelt storytelling through music. So you could say the musical tale

Kia ora Geoff, Just a quick update; Hazel and I absolutely loved our first lesson with Theo today. He is an absolute star, super clear instructions, perfect pace and we really appreciated his encouragement.  Hazel and I were both so surprised we are learning songs already! On the admin front, confirming that I have joined Hazel for the lessons. Also - I'm aware the first lesson is free, however can you make sure to add the cost of an extra 15mins x 2 people to our first invoi

At The Rock Academy we love seeing transformation — and few stories embody that more than the one of Ella  (name changed for privacy). A couple of years ago, Ella joined our youth ensemble as a guitarist and back‑up vocalist. She was enthusiastic, eager, and ready to learn. Today, she commands the stage as lead singer of the band Latitude — her voice full, mature, and unmistakably confident. A Solid Foundation Back when she first walked through the door, Ella’s skills were pr