Guitar
The guitar is a highly versatile and expressive instrument, embraced across genres such as classical, rock, jazz, blues, folk, and world music. Its unique construction allows it to shift effortlessly between soft, mellow tones and bright, powerful sounds, making it suitable for both intimate solo performances and energetic ensemble settings. The guitar’s ability to adapt its sound and character to different musical styles is what sets it apart - whether evoking the elegance of a classical piece, the groove of jazz, or the raw emotion of blues. With its rich tonal range and stylistic flexibility, the guitar continues to be a favorite for musicians seeking both depth
and diversity in their sound.
Guitar lessons with us:
Recommended age to start: 7+
Lessons duration:
30 mins, 45 mins and 60 mins
Schedule:
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
Complimentary classes:
Theory of Music (60 mins weekly)
Also, we offer the paired lessons for the complete beginners at the most reasonable rates.
See the details below.
Terms and Fees
Calendar for 2026
Term 1 (2026)
-
Starts Monday 2 February - ends Saturday 11 April
Term 2 (2026)
-
Starts Monday 27 April - ends Saturday 4 July
Term 3 (2026)
-
Starts Monday 20 July - ends Saturday 26 September
Term 4 (2026)
-
Starts Monday 12 October - ends Saturday 19 December
30 mins lesson $50.90 (9 lessons per term)
45 mins lesson $71.80 (9 lessons per term)
60 mins lesson $90.60 (9 lessons per term)
Also, we provide a COMPLIMENTARY CLASS of Theory of Music
60 mins weekly in Group (9 lessons per term).
Paired Guitar Lessons
These lessons are ideal for beginners in their first six months of learning the guitar.
Paired lessons, where two students learn together, are especially enjoyable and encouraging for young beginners. Learning alongside another child helps students feel more confident, motivated, and excited about music. Playing together brings a sense of fun and teamwork, inspiring children to practise and develop their skills so they can make music together.
FEES:
30 mins lesson $30.90 (9 lessons per term) for each student.
45 mins lesson $43.70 (9 lessons per term) for each student.
Guitar Teachers
Guitar
Martin Dreissen
Teaching schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays
Martin is a guitar teacher and performer with over 30 years experience teaching in schools and performing throughout New Zealand. As a teacher, he has taught at a number of secondary schools, and has been teaching at Kristin School for the last 14 years. Martin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and an L.T.C.L. diploma in guitar teaching, and specialises in teaching students of all abilities, from complete beginners to advanced players. Students can choose to play the guitar as an enjoyable hobby, or can study the guitar as part of the NCEA or IB syllabus. His main area of expertise is the acoustic guitar, and he teaches all the related styles: popular song accompaniment, strumming, picking, classical, blues, jazz and modern music. He also teaches the electric guitar, with the related styles: chord shapes, using a pick, scales and rock solos. As a performer, Martin has many years of experience as a singer/guitarist, playing in many venues throughout Auckland and New Zealand. He has appeared a number of times on television and has recorded two albums of easy listening music.
Guitar
Lora Kurusa
Teaching schedule: Tuesdays
Lora Kurusa is a classical guitar teacher originally from Budapest, Hungary. After moving to Adelaide, Australia at age 11, she began her classical guitar studies and quickly progressed, earning a bronze prize at the 2017 Adelaide Eisteddfod and completing several AMEB grades with top marks. She received a scholarship to study at the Elder Conservatorium’s Open Music Academy and was an active member of youth guitar ensembles in South Australia.
In 2019, Lora’s family relocated to New Zealand, where she continued her studies with respected teachers in Auckland and Wellington. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Auckland under the guidance of Barkin Sertkaya and earned multiple awards during her time at Wellington East Girls’ College, including Top Scholar in Music and Most Accomplished Instrumentalist. Lora also won the 2020 Binary New Zealand Classical Guitar Competition Youth Division and performed her first guitar concerto with the New Classics Sinfonia at Auckland Town Hall.
Now based in Auckland, Lora is a sponsored artist at Dominic Roscioli Guitars and has teaching experience with several music schools in Auckland. She is passionate about teaching students of all ages and levels, offering engaging lessons that focus on technique, musical growth, and self-expression. Lora has participated in masterclasses with internationally renowned guitarists and attended prestigious guitar festivals across New Zealand and Australia.
Bass Guitar Teacher
Bass Guitar / Double Bass
Djordje Nikolic
Teaching schedule: Wednesdays
Djordje holds a Master of Architecture with Honours and a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from the University of Auckland, as well as a BTEC National Diploma in Jazz Performance from Leeds College of Music (UK). His strong academic background supports a structured and thoughtful approach to music education.
Djordje is a professional bassist and experienced music educator based in Auckland, New Zealand. An accomplished performer across jazz, classical, rock, and contemporary styles, he combines extensive performance experience with dedicated teaching practice. He is committed to developing students’ technical proficiency, musicality, and stylistic versatility on both bass guitar and double bass.
Born in Serbia and raised in New Zealand, Djordje also lived in the United Kingdom before returning permanently to Auckland. Since 2008, he has maintained an active performing and teaching career across New Zealand and the UK. He currently performs full-time with the Royal New Zealand Navy Band, presenting a wide-ranging repertoire and contributing to music education through workshops and school performances nationwide. Alongside this role, he works as a freelance musician and bass tutor.
Djordje’s performance work includes collaborations with established jazz and contemporary ensembles, studio recording projects in jazz, original, orchestral, and film music, and regular appearances across Auckland’s music scene. He performs with ensembles such as Twistin’ the Swing, New Orleans Joy Makers, Blue in Green, and People of The Sun, and is frequently engaged as an on-call bassist for live and recording projects.
As a tutor, Djordje focuses on strong technical foundations, stylistic awareness, and ensemble skills. His teaching integrates practical musicianship, theory, and listening, helping students build confidence and versatility across a wide range of musical styles.