Itinerant Teachers

Tania McVicar has worked at Christ’s College since 2000. Tania has an ATCL in teaching, LTCL in performing and a TESOL certificate.

The Speech and Drama programme is optional. Students can choose to learn in groups, pairs or as an individual, and the number of students taking part in Speech and Drama has grown substantially since it was first offered as a co-curricular activity.

Tania believes the ability to communicate effectively is vital both socially and in the workplace. She has experience teaching people with a wide range of abilities and needs, including foreign speakers or students with specific speech impediments. Students are encouraged to learn a wide range of mediums, from characterisation through to presenting a talk.

Tania’s philosophy is all about encouraging students to take up the challenge, and helping them build confidence and develop creativity through Speech and Drama.

Claire Oliver grew up with a passion for music, learning recorder, clarinet, saxophone, organ, electric bass and double bass.

She has been teaching instrumental music since 1993, and working at Christ’s College since 2010, where she is the Director of Big Band, Saxophone Quartet, and Jazz Combo, as well as providing private tutoring on saxophone, clarinet, and bass. In recent years, Claire has also worked with Year 9 music classes.

Claire has played double bass and clarinet in orchestras, and saxophone in symphonic bands and big bands, as well as being involved in musical theatre.

Claire prepares the groups she directs for various high school level music competitions, including the annual Chamber Music Contest, Southern Jam Jazz Festival, CPIT Jazz Quest, and the NZSM High Schools Jazz Festival. The College Big Band and Jazz Combo have repeatedly won silver and gold awards at these events, including – at Southern Jam – accolades such as Best Big Band in 2010, Overall Festival Winner in 2011, and runner-up Big Band in 2015.

Antonio was born and educated in Bulgaria and completed his Masters of Music degree specialising in French Horn which he was awarded with Distinction. He is a regular member of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and teaches Horn and Brass in several Christchurch schools.

Greg Donaldson is a Christchurch-based session drummer and drum teacher who has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, toured New Zealand, Australia and Japan with Hayley Westenra, and also toured New Zealand, Australia, China and Singapore with English singer Elaine Paige.

Greg can be heard on Bic Runga’s Live in Concert and Try to Remember Everything CDs, Hayley Westenra’s Live from New Zealand DVD and Hayley Sings Japanese Songs 2 CD, Mandy Pickering’s self-titled album and The Dukes Lil’ Sunshine. He has performed live with artists such as Dave Dobbyn, Anika Moa, Julia Deans, Malcolm McNeill, Petula Clark and Renee Geyer, and has also performed for former American president Bill Clinton.

Greg holds a Diploma of Jazz Studies from CPIT (Ara Music Arts).

Born and raised in Christchurch, Shelley Spang graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Music degree, majoring in vocal performance. Shelley also holds LTCL Diplomas in both singing and piano studies.

At 15, Shelley became a member of the 1988 National Youth Choir, winning at the International Choral Festival in Vienna, and performing at the Welsh Eisteddfod. Following university, Shelley spent five years in London studying privately. She also has a Postgraduate Diploma of Music Therapy from Roehampton Institute in Surrey.

Since returning to New Zealand in 1992, Shelley has established a career in music therapy, working with clients covering a wide range of disabilities.

Shelley was a foundation member of Tower Voices New Zealand. In 1999, the choir represented New Zealand in Noumea. She was also an accompanist for the New Zealand Male Voice Choir from 2011–2015.

Shelley is a member of the New Zealand Registered Teachers Association and a UK-registered music therapist. She combines a private studio, teaching both singing and piano to students of all ages, with teaching piano, theory and vocal students at Christ's College. Shelley also adjudicates nationally.

Music has been Nolan Hungerford’s lifelong passion and, as both a musician and a teacher, he has been fortunate to make it his career.

He has worked all over the world, released albums, taught young musicians at school and tertiary level through the Christchurch School of Rock and other education providers, and has experience in all aspects of the music industry, as a performer, manager, promoter and producer.

Nolan runs College’s Contemporary Music (Rock) programme, providing an insight into what it takes to succeed as a musician in New Zealand. He mentors students, both as individuals and in groups, helping them develop songwriting and performing skills, promote their music, perform and compete at contemporary music events.

College bands Run77 and The Subs, who both reached the national finals of SmokefreeRockquest, honed their skills working with Nolan.

Born in Christchurch, Thomas Eves picked up the trumpet at age six. Today, he is the Principal Trumpet of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. He has also held Acting Associate Principal Trumpet contracts with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and trialled for the position of Principal Trumpet with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

A regular guest player with all of New Zealand’s professional orchestras, he has also performed as Guest Principal Trumpet with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

A graduate of the University of Canterbury (BMus Hons) and the Royal College of Music London (MPerf Distinction), Thomas has played under internationally recognised conductors Lorin Maazel and Bernard Haitink and performed solo recitals in London at Cadogan Hall and in The Elgar Room at The Royal Albert Hall. He was also runner-up in the 2012 Gisborne International Music Competition. He has appeared as a soloist with the CSO on several occasions.