Lessons at The Band School

At The Band School, we offer a full range of music lessons for all ages and skill levels. Our lessons are designed to help students develop their skills, perform in ensembles, and enjoy learning music in a supportive environment.We offer one-on-one lessons including adult lessons and all abilities in:

• Drums, Guitar & Bass, Vocals, Piano / Keys, Ukulele

Lessons are tailored to each student’s goals and are taught by experienced tutors in a supportive environment.
Each year, most of our lesson students return, and we also welcome new students as spaces allow.

How lessons work

Step 1 – Register (everyone)
All lesson students — existing and new — need to register using the form below.
This creates or activates your family account in our new system.
Once your logged in you can create extra siblings easily

Step 2 – Lesson times are confirmed

• We’ll first help returning lesson students confirm their lesson times.

• Once those schedules are settled (by the end of the month), we’ll work through new student enquiries.

Step 3 – Flexible lesson options (optional)
In addition to regular weekly lessons, families can book:

• Extra lessons

• Makeup lessons

from available flexible lesson slots.
These are optional and do not affect your regular lesson time.

Good to know

• Lessons run weekly and are term-based

• Returning students are prioritised for scheduling

• New students are placed once existing timetables are confirmed

• Band and choir students can also book private lessons

👉 Register for Private Lessons below

Homework & Resources: TutorBird allows us to share lesson notes, resources, and links directly to your family dashboard. We recommend bookmarking the pages to keep track of your child’s learning.

If you need help getting started, TutorBird support videos are available here:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tutorbird+how+to+book+lessons

TUTORS

RICKY BOYD

Director / Advanced Drums

Bachelor of Music - Massey University. Post Grad-Dip of Teach Victoria Uni

Meet Ricky, Director of The Band School and Head of Music at Gisborne Intermediate. He oversees the school, bands, and choir, supports students’ development, and occasionally covers lessons when needed.

Ricky has an impressive performance history, including collaborations with Grammy Award winner and Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductee Wanda Jackson, and Oscar-winning musicians Stephen Gallagher and David Long (David Long – composer for NZ film & TV, including Whale Rider; Stephen Gallagher – orchestrator/conductor for Academy-recognized soundtracks). He has recorded over 20 albums and contributed to productions such as the New Zealand Royal Ballet Tutu’s on Tour.

He leads The Boomshack Band (drums), Set Waves (guitar), and The Oh So Lonelies (guitar), with performances at over 100 shows including Cooly Rocks On Festival and wrap parties for The Hobbit and Avatar 2.

Ricky has coached drums for an All Black (Alama Ieremia) and worked with TV stars like Jason Fa’afoi and Shavaughn Ruakere. He has performed alongside artists such as Ladyhawke, Marlon Williams, Warren Maxwell, Sam Scott (Phoenix Foundation), Liam Finn, Connan Moccasin, and many more.

Teaches: subs in for tutors

CORBAN SHIELDS

Guitar Tutor

Bachelor of Audio Production. Bachelor of Contemporary Music

Gisborne native Corban discovered his love for guitar in intermediate school. He has performed professionally in several bands and developed a passion for audio production. Corban enjoys helping students take their guitar skills to the next level across a variety of styles.

Days: wed thurs after school

JARROD SEATON

Bass guitar and Beginner Drum tutor

Jarrod is a skilled bass guitarist and drummer. Formerly Head of Music at Campion College, he now focuses on tutoring students in bass and beginner drums. He is also knowledgeable about music gear and pedals.

Days: tues thurs after school

Simon Mallett

Guitar and singer-songwriting

We welcome Simon back for 2026, a long standing tutor with us. takes guitar and singer-songwriting and adult students.

Days: Mon tues evenings

SCOTT MAYNARD

Bass and beginner guitars

Scott, an accomplished musician, moved to Tairāwhiti in late 2024 from Wellington. He has played in bands including Sea Mouse and Black Spider Trio and recently performed in Les Misérables. Scott holds a degree from the NZ School of Music and teaches guitar, bass, and upright bass for beginners and intermediate students. He is studying to become a teacher in 2026 and we’re fully behind him.

Days: Mon tues wed thurs after school

Elizabeth Raines

Vocal tutor

Elizabeth Raines has a BA in Music and a postgraduate degree in choral conducting and music education. She is a certified music teacher with over 20 years experience teaching primary-secondary general music and choir. She is currently teaching choir at Lytton High School and Ilminster, and private vocal lessons as well as serves as music and vocal director in several musical theater productions including the recent Les Miserables. Singing together in a choir is a fun way to grow vocal and musical skills and to build self confidence. It also has the power to create a sense of connection through the shared musical experience.

Days: Wed 5pm for junior choir.
Advanced student Lesson: (tbc)

Student teachers ( reduced lesson cost)

RIKI REEDY

Intern Bass / beginner Piano Tutor

Riki is a young music prodigy who has been part of The Band School since age six. With perfect pitch, he has studied cello, bass guitar, and keyboards. He has also been chosen as the Tauranga Jazz school festivals Big band bass player for 2026. We’re thrilled to have him join our team in to tutor beginner piano and bass.

Days: Tues and Wed after school

Rosanna Hepburn

Beginner drums

Rosanna is a Year 13 student at Gisborne Girls’ High School and a member of the Gisborne GGHS and GBHS Combined Secondary Schools Orchestra. She has been playing the drums since 2022 and has competed in Rockquest for the past two years. While she has been drumming for four years, Rosanna believes there is always more to learn and is excited for the opportunity to both teach and grow alongside her students.
Days: Wed after school