At the University of Otago Music programme we teach classical, contemporary and non-western musical instruments, as well as contemporary, classical, and musical theatre voice performance. Otago's School of Performing Arts has an international reputation and ranking, and our students learn from leading practitioners and educators. Explore our instrument and voice options:
Bass
The Contemporary Bass Guitar programme in the School of Performing Arts is a creative and practical course with the set goal to develop bassists into efficient, well-rounded professional bass players, ready to step into the music industry.
Students have one-on-one lessons as well as getting the 'session player' experience in both live performance and recording workshops with other contemporary musicians.
With both original and set repertoire pathways, students are able to be creative whilst learning various styles, techniques, sight reading, ear training and improvisation in this immersive music programme.
Brass
The School of Performing Arts offers performance in orchestral brass instruments, including horn, trumpet and trombone, through a special memorandum of understanding with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra. Principal players from the orchestra teach for the School, giving one-to-one instrumental lessons. Our tutor, Neil Favell, is an experienced professional player.
As well as individual lessons, wind and brass students come together for a wind class led by Prof. Peter Adams in our beautiful concert hall, Marama Hall, and have individual times with our accompanist Senior Teaching Fellow Tom McGrath. Together, these people will guide you in developing a solid technical foundation combined with an individualised programme of study that covers musical styles and genres from Baroque to contemporary.
Performance study at the University of Otago takes place within a supportive, nurturing community, with dedicated teachers committed to your learning and development as musicians and performers.
There are many opportunities for performance and collaboration within the School of Performing Arts as well as in the wider community. Over the course of their studies, many students audition for, and gain professional experience performing in, the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra.
Cello
Learn one-to-one with an internationally trained and recognised cellist with experience as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist and principal cellist of orchestras.
Heleen's passion and enthusiasm for music, cello and education is contagious and her teaching style motivational. As an expert in the skill development of performers, the learning and teaching of movement and its link to musical expression, she teaches with a holistic approach in developing mental, physical, phycological, learning and performance skills, allowing students to grow and reach their full potential. Apart from individual and group classes, you will receive regular accompaniment sessions and chamber music coaching to improve your skills, expand your repertoire, and achieve your individual musical goals. Heleen believes in providing and creating a supportive and nurturing environment where students can explore their passions and build their confidence.
There are many opportunities for performing in Dunedin within the School of Performing Arts as well as in the wider community, including Heleen's cello ensemble, Cellists of Otago, the Dunedin Youth Orchestra or Dunedin Symphony Orchestra. There are also opportunities for studying the pedagogy of music performance with her and doing cello teaching.
Cellists of Otago offers financial support for aspiring cello students at graduate and postgraduate level.
Find out more about support from Cellists of Otago.
Classical Voice
Students enrolled in Classical Voice pursue an individualized course of study in cumulative progression across the undergraduate and postgraduate papers offered by the School of Performing Arts. Students receive weekly private lessons and a class workshop to develop their vocal technique and effective communication and stagecraft skills.
The teaching environment is inclusive and supportive.
Students study an innovative range of repertoire from Renaissance to contemporary, and the requisite stylistic and interpretative insights across such a wide spectrum are fostered accordingly. Foreign language skills for lyric diction are carefully developed.
Classical Voice students can often audition to take part in the city's productions and gain further stage experience.
Contemporary Voice
Combining technical and creative development with continuous live performance experience, the Contemporary Voice programme at the School of Performing Arts is like no other vocal programme in New Zealand.
Every week you will have a one-on-one lesson that will include vocal technique, development of aural skills and harmony, sight-reading, vocal anatomy, vocal health and vocal function as well as how to further develop your stylistic identity.
Through live performance you will also learn how to communicate effectively with an audience, whether you're interpreting contemporary styles or showcasing your original material, the School of Performing Arts will allow the singer to be creative, learn, share and perform in an environment that is both nurturing and explorative.
Drums
The School of Performing Arts offers drum students the opportunity to develop the skills needed to enter the music industry as a professional.
Theory, reading, technique, styles, concepts and musicianship are all covered in drum lessons, ensemble workshops and performances, along with recording sessions in our modern recording facility.
Preparing for a future as a musician takes dedication, and the professional tutors are dedicated to giving the best experience and education to fulfil those goals.
Guitar
The Contemporary Guitar programme in the School of Performing Arts is designed to develop professional level technique and musicianship through performance and recording experiences covering a wide range of genres.
Guitar lessons are taught one-to-one, as well as through collaborative workshops. Students learn the foundations and expectations of modern guitar playing, including ensemble performance, ear training, sight-reading, and melodic soloing in a variety of genres.
The program seeks to combine theory, technique and performance into a unique individual 'voice'.
Keyboard
The Contemporary Keyboard programme is a practical course teaching the comprehensive skills needed to attain a professional standard of contemporary performance.
Covering a wide range of musical genres, this course allows students to gain valuable playing experience, and learn to be an adaptable player, as is essential to be successful in the modern music industry.
With individual tuition sessions, the focus areas are playing technique, ear training, and music reading skills. Combined with the musical ensemble performance element of the programme, students gain a good understanding of musical structure, and also learn arrangement skills.
The modern studio facility coupled with the expert guidance of experienced tutors, ensures that students will have the opportunity to formulate an individual playing style and discover their own musical niche.
Koto
Learning to play koto (Japanese zither) as a performance option offers an incredible opportunity for students to immerse themselves in a distinct aspect of Japanese culture and music. No prior experience is needed.
Our courses are designed to introduce students to the basic techniques of playing the instrument, where students will learn how to read and interpret Japanese musical notation using Japanese written symbols. Students will also be taught about the history and cultural significance of koto in Japan, as well as its place in historical and contemporary global flows.
When learning the koto, students start by learning the basics of the instrument, including proper posture, hand positioning, and finger movement. Students then move on to learning beginner pieces, gradually building up to more complex compositions. Your teacher will provide individual feedback and guidance to help you improve your technique and musicality. To enhance the learning experience, students will have access to authentic koto within the School of Performing Arts, which were made in Japan by expert manufacturers.
Musical Theatre Voice
Are you passionate about musical theatre and singing? Do you long to have the vocal skills and techniques required to sing all those amazing showstopper numbers?
Musical Theatre Voice focuses on the art of singing in musical theatre productions. It is a unique discipline that requires a combination of skills in singing and acting, and ultimately demands a high level of technical proficiency, versatility and artistry – especially given the broad array of vocal styles required to be a great musical theatre performer.
One of the key benefits in studying Musical Theatre Voice at Otago University is the opportunity to work with experienced Musical Theatre Voice specialists Arlie McCormick and Bridget Telfer-Milne. Both industry professionals, these lecturers teach voice through weekly one-on-one lessons and group workshops. In a caring, encouraging and supportive environment, students work on developing their vocal range and technique, and learn the essential skills required to effectively and safely sing a range of musical theatre styles. There is a focus on learning about vocal anatomy and developing the performance skills necessary for the singing actor.
Students participate in a variety of performance opportunities, including concerts, recitals, and local musical theatre productions.
Organ
Classical organ performance is taught by David Burchell, Dunedin City Organist and Organist of St Joseph's Cathedral, one of New Zealand's foremost organ performers. A former Organ Scholar of New College, Oxford, David's teaching is informed by a wealth of performing experience and historical knowledge of the instrument and its repertoire.
Organ students pursue an individually tailored course of study, centered initially on Baroque repertoire and later broadening to include a wide spectrum of music from a wide range of styles and periods. Players are also introduced to skills valuable to organists, such as score-reading, transposition and figured bass realisation.
Students have the opportunity to perform publicly in concerts held at the university and around the city. Organ Scholarships may be held in conjunction with the course; these are offered to residents of Knox and Selwyn Colleges, and by several of Dunedin's churches. There are also opportunities around the city for regular (paid) service playing, and advanced students may be invited to accompany choral performances.
Initially, students are taught on the historic mechanical action Bevington organ at All Saints' Church, adjacent to the university campus. As students progress through the course, other instruments may be used to suit the needs of the repertoire; these include the organs at Knox Church, St Paul's Cathedral and St Joseph's Cathedral. A 3-manual Makin digital organ is available for personal practice in a studio at Marama Hall, and Knox College residents have access to a small Walker extension organ in the college chapel.
Piano
Classical piano performance is under the personal supervision of Terence Dennis, Blair Professor of Music, long recognised as one of the country's most esteemed national and international performers and teachers.
Piano students pursue an individualized course of study within the supportive environment offered by the School of Performing Arts, in cumulative progression across the undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by the School of Performing Arts. Students receive weekly individual lessons and a class workshop, the latter designed to develop performance skills on the concert stage, and to offer professional insights into the wide spectrum of piano repertoire, from early Baroque to contemporary.
There are regular opportunities for piano students to perform in both university concerts, and in the concert life of the city. As well as solo piano performance, students may also choose to specialize in collaborative piano.
Marama Hall offers two fine concert Steinway grand pianos, and also fine models of earlier keyboard instruments: a Baroque French Double harpsichord and a fortepiano modelled on Mozart's 1789 Walther instrument. The new recording studio in the School of Performing Arts also boasts a fine Bösendorfer concert grand piano.
Scottish piping and drumming
Dunedin's proud Scottish heritage is celebrated in the School of Performing Arts through the provision of Scottish piping and drumming performance options.
Internationally renowned prize-winning piper Greg Wilson teaches piping, and 7-times world champion drummer James Laughlin teaches drumming.
There are two scholarships available to support the study of these instruments: the David A. Grant Memorial Scholarship, and the Alexander Leith Bagpipe and Drum Scholarship.
Taiko
Learning to play Taiko drums as a performance course option at the University of Otago offers a unique opportunity for students to experience the excitement and power of this traditional Japanese drumming art form. No prior experience is needed.
The Taiko performance option is offered as a semester-long programme and is taught by experienced Taiko performers who have trained extensively and have much performance experience. Students will have access to authentic Taiko drums and equipment, and will be encouraged to practice on their own time to build their skills. Students also have time allocated to practice with members of O-Taiko, Dunedin's Japan-inspired Taiko group.
As students make progress with their studies, they may have the opportunity to perform at university events and in local concerts, providing them with valuable performance experience and exposure to the wider community. This can be a rewarding and memorable experience for students, as they will be able to showcase their skills and passion for Taiko drumming to a larger audience. Overall, learning to play Taiko as a performance course option at Otago can be a fun and engaging way for students to explore a new Japanese art form, build their musical skills, and gain valuable performance experience.
Taonga pūoro
Are you interested in learning more about Māori culture and music? Have you ever wanted to learn to play taonga pūoro (Māori musical instruments), and perhaps even make them?
In the School of Performing Arts, we can help guide your steps along te ara pūoro – the pathway of sound. We recognise that everyone's journey along this pathway is as unique as the instruments themselves, and for this reason your programme of study is tailored to your interests and goals.
You don't need to have any prior knowledge or experience, simply a willingness to learn and engage. Depending on enrolments, there may be group performance opportunities available.
This performance option is taught in a culturally safe, friendly and supportive way by nationally recognised taonga pūoro scholar, Associate Professor Jennifer Cattermole, who has been performing with and making these instruments since 2012.
This is a fun and engaging way to learn more about Māori culture, and to gain valuable performing experience.
Violin and viola
Violin and viola performance study at the University of Otago takes place within a supportive, nurturing community, with a dedicated teacher committed to your learning and development as musicians and performers.
Leading New Zealand violinist Tessa Petersen will guide you in developing a solid technical foundation combined with an individualised programme of study that covers musical styles and genres from Baroque to contemporary. Alongside your individual lessons, your studies are enhanced with joint performance classes, regular accompaniment, chamber music and masterclasses with visiting national and international artists.
There are many opportunities for performance and collaboration within the School of Performing Arts as well as in the wider community. Over the course of their studies many students audition for, and gain professional experience performing in, the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra.
Woodwind
The School of Performing Arts offers performance in orchestral woodwind instruments, including flute, oboe, clarinet, and saxophone, through a special memorandum of understanding with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra. Principal players from the orchestra teach for the School, giving one-to-one instrumental lessons. These tutors are experienced professional players, including Luca Manghi (flutes), Nick Cornish (oboe and saxes), and Emily Sterk and Stephen Cranefield (clarinets).
As well as individual lessons, wind and brass students come together for a wind class led by Prof. Peter Adams in our beautiful concert hall, Marama Hall, and have individual times with our accompanist Senior Teaching Fellow Tom McGrath. Together, these people will guide you in developing a solid technical foundation combined with an individualised programme of study that covers musical styles and genres from Baroque to contemporary.
Performance study at the University of Otago takes place within a supportive, nurturing community, with dedicated teachers committed to your learning and development as musicians and performers.
There are many opportunities for performance and collaboration within the School of Performing Arts as well as in the wider community. Over the course of their studies, many students audition for, and gain professional experience performing in, the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra.
Find out more about studying performance (voice and instruments)
Explore study options for first-year students, information about music performance papers and other useful information on our undergraduate study page.
Study Music for your bachelor's degree
Auditions
If you would like to to take musical performance papers you will need to audition.
Please note: There is no audition required for Japanese taiko or koto, and Māori taonga pūoro. Email spa@otago.ac.nz if you wish to study one of these instruments.
Scholarships
Music scholarships
- Dunedin Symphony Orchestra Scholarship for Orchestral Performance
A scholarship for a music performance student studying an orchestral instrument such as violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, tuba or trombone. - David A Grant Memorial Scholarship in Scottish Piping and Scottish Drumming
- Alexander Leith Bagpipe and Drum Scholarship
University of Otago scholarships
Questions?
Speak with one of our Music course advisers.
Tel +64 3 479 4180
Email spa@otago.ac.nz