All About Us | Ignite Music Academy

Team Ignite

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Rachel Yung

Academy Director
Music Tutor

Rachel's love for music and singing started as a toddler and by the time she was five she started having piano lessons. Her fascination for music led her to try a few other instruments, but she kept coming back to her first two loves, singing and piano. During her high school years, she entered and won a number of talent quests. She was given the opportunity to develop her craft by playing and singing in church every week.

After finishing school, she spent two years at 'Excel School of Performing Arts,' as a vocal major and piano minor. From there she taught NCEA Level 1 Music and Drama as well as being a Music Pastor in Kaitaia. She completed 'Pathways School of Worship Leading' in Tauranga, receiving the 'Outstanding Student Award.' She then went on to complete a three-month Voice Teacher Training course through New York Vocal Coaching.

After she started teaching music, she realised that her greatest joy was found in inspiring and helping others to be the best musicians and people they can be.

Tony Yung

Music Tutor

Tony has been surrounded by music from a very young age. He learnt piano and guitar through watching his older brother and pestering him for tips and advice, and played bass guitar in a number of bands through high school. He has also busked on the streets of Lower Hutt equipped with only a guitar and vocal cords.

Musical theatre has also been a passion of his. He has participated in a variety of shows including 'My Fair Lady' as a chorus member, a show than ran for around 30 nights at Wellington's St James Theatre.

On top of this, Tony is an experienced school teacher, and therefore excels in engaging his students in a safe, fun and creative environment.

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Samantha Powdrell

Music Tutor

Sam fell in love with music at a young age. During her primary school years, she was actively involved in both choir and repertory theatre. This eventually led her to picking up the guitar for the first time when she was 13. After mastering the basic skills, she bravely joined the music team at Elim Christian Centre and has continued to grow and develop since that time. Always seeking to further herself, Sam has gone on to achieve Grade 7 in the ‘Electric Guitar’ through the University of West London and a Diploma in ‘Christian Ministries Internship in Worship and Events’ through Elim Christian Centre.

Sam’s passion for music has inspired her to encourage others along a similar path. However, it’s always done with a kind word and a warm smile.

Jaden Hatch

Music Tutor

Jaden was born into a family that loves music and it wasn't long until he discovered that love himself. He started learning drums at the age of 10 and a year later he joined the band at his church. Picking up guitar in high school and also doing some drum tutoring in his early teens, it was obvious that music was always going to be part of his life. After high school, Jaden studied at Excel School of Performing Arts as a drum major and vocal minor and was then selected to be a part of the touring team for the second year which saw him performing all New Zealand and parts of Europe.

After Excel, he then spent 11 years as a Youth Pastor with Elim Christian Centre, in both Tauranga and Whangārei, and over those years he mentored a lot of young musicians while building their youth bands.

Jaden is a creative, people person that finds joy in playing a part in other people's journey/growth; particularly when it comes to the things they are passionate about.

Sharon Simpson

Music Tutor

Sharon has loved musical theatre all her life and has been part of numerous amateur and professional theatre productions around New Zealand performing lead roles in shows like Westside Story, The Buddy Holly Story, Anything Goes, Fiddler on The Roof, Mamma Mia, Shrek: The Musical and Spamalot to name a few. 2022 saw her directing debut for Footloose with Whangarei Theatre Company. She then went on to direct Moana Jr, Frozen Jr and Aladdin Jr.

She plays piano, piano accordion, acts and sings and has had the opportunity to share these gifts by teaching piano and singing, running a children’s choir, teaching drama and providing music education shows for children. She had the privilege of being the vocal coach for the children’s choir at Auckland’s Coca Cola Christmas in the Park 2006. She also serves on the Whangarei Theatre Company Committee as Senior Vice President.

Sharon is passionate about music, musical theatre education and performance opportunities for children and feels privileged to be able to share her craft with the youth of Whangarei.

Testimonials

I feel like I have grown so much with your encouragement and teaching. When I come to my singing lesson each week, I know that I'll be coming into a fun and loving environment. Thank you so much for what you've done for me. My singing lesson is my highlight of my week.

Thank you so much! Libby absolutely LOVED her lesson and LOVED Sam. She is counting down the sleeps until her next lesson and is practising every night!
We also really loved the welcome she received by having her name on the sign at the door. It really helped calm her nerves.

There is no asking/reminding her to practice. It's all her motivation and investment as she used her own savings to purchase a bass guitar a few months back. And it is Sam who is helping her grow her confidence.
Since we set her guitar stand up in the lounge at the start of term (therefore she sees them daily) - she is constantly picking up both to practice - and even occasionally just playing for pleasure.
I love being in the middle of something around the house and suddenly we hear the guitar and her singing start up. So we all get to benefit from the lessons. :)

Our 9 year old daughter Rosie has had a term learning keyboard with Rachel. She was a little nervous to start with, but after her first lesson came home so excited to practice what she had been taught. Most days without asking we hear Rosie practicing her songs on our keyboard. Rachel's number approach has really been successful with Rosie giving her confidence. She has so much fun learning this new skill. We can't recommend Rachel more highly. She is a gifted worship leader, singer and musician. Her love for God and people is so evident in all she does.

Thank you so much. It has been really good to get Aaliyah out of her comfort zone and do something she loves. Realising she can take that step and connect with someone who can help her learn piano and ignite that passion inside has given her the confidence to do the same but with other things. So from the bottom of our hearts thank you so much for being an amazing piano teacher and human being!

I have seen a significant difference in my voice from week one. I have learnt important skills that have made me more confident in singing and especially enjoy the learning and singing as the environment is friendly and fun. Thank you very much for reaching me this term!!

I did really well, everyone cried and I hit all the high notes that I didn’t think I could. I’ve never sung so well in my life and everyone was shocked, including me! I didn’t know I could do that! Thank you so much for helping me and encouraging me!

Team Ignite

Rachel Yung

Tony Yung

Samantha Powdrell

Jaden Hatch

Sharon Simpson

Testimonials

I feel like I have grown so much with your encouragement and teaching. When I come to my singing lesson each week, I know that I'll be coming into a fun and loving environment. Thank you so much for what you've done for me. My singing lesson is my highlight of my week.

Thank you so much! Libby absolutely LOVED her lesson and LOVED Sam. She is counting down the sleeps until her next lesson and is practising every night! We also really loved the welcome she received by having her name on the sign at the door. It really helped calm her nerves.

I have seen a significant difference in my voice from week one. I have learnt important skills that have made me more confident in singing and especially enjoy the learning and singing as the environment is friendly and fun. Thank you very much for reaching me this term!!

I did really well, everyone cried and I hit all the high notes that I didn’t think I could. I’ve never sung so well in my life and everyone was shocked, including me! I didn’t know I could do that! Thank you so much for helping me and encouraging me!

Thank you so much! Libby absolutely LOVED her lesson and LOVED Sam. She is counting down the sleeps until her next lesson and is practising every night!
We also really loved the welcome she received by having her name on the sign at the door. It really helped calm her nerves.