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

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