Jane graduated from Otago University with a BA in English, a Bachelor of Music (in which she majored in Piano Performance) and a Post Graduate Diploma. In 1991 she completed her LTCL Performer's Diploma and in 1996 was awarded a Royal Schools of Music Centenary Travel Grant Scholarship in which she travelled to London and studied at the Royal College of Music. During this Scholarship she gained her LRSM Teaching Diploma.
Jane has extensive experience as a private piano teacher and has instructed students ranging from young beginners to adults. She teaches from her private studio and also travels to local schools to provide tuition.
Keenly involved in Otago's community music environment, Jane has adjudicated local competitions and provided seminars on teaching methods and business practices to local teachers. She also teaches beginner recorder and clarinet with the Saturday Morning Music Classes and is currently on the committees of the SMMC and local branch of the Institute of Registered Music Teachers (IRMT) of New Zealand.
Jane's recent interests include composing educational children's piano scores. In 2002, Willis Music, one of America 's leading music education specialists, published Jane's first book of compositions for beginner pianists entitled “Garden Party”. A second book, “Garden Playtime”, followed in 2003 and in 2005 “Fantasy & Fairy Tale”, a collection of character pieces for more advanced students, was released. Jane's books are now published and distributed by Hal Leonard, the worlds largest music print publisher. Her most recent publications, “Freestyle” and “More Freestyle” embrace a range of diverse styles and cater for the intermediate level pianist.
Music is not just about playing an instrument. I believe in developing the whole musician and provide a holistic approach to teaching, enhancing and extending all facets of music-making and appreciation.
As a teacher I'm extremely mindful of being a facilitator of my students' musical growth, encouraging them to develop technically, musically and personally with confidence, pleasure and at their own pace.
As a composer, I'm extremely mindful of meeting those needs in my music – providing teachers and students with music which will activate, stimulate and sustain a curiosity, drive and passion for music.
