Emma Smetham and Jonathan Densem of North Canterbury Music are dedicated to nurturing aspiring musicians through expert, personalised, individual training. Their focus is on the individual's journey and on providing quality tuition by experienced teachers who have had performance careers in professional productions here and overseas. Their training is designed to help students develop their musical skills and unleash their creativity, empowering them to express their unique musical voice.
Emma and Jonathan are experienced, professional performers who have a passion for teaching. After decades performing here and in Australia, the pair returned NZ to dedicate their time and focus to teaching the next generation of budding musicians. Over time that has grown into North Canterbury Music and Thinking Music Please Ltd.
Emma and Jonathan teach all ages, from very beginners right up to university performance music level. The pair are also very experienced with neuro diverse youngsters - both professionally and at home!
They have had many students (more than 50 in fact) who have gone on to study performance at university and drama schools, and then on to professional careers as recording artists and stage performers round the world.
Emma Smetham has a degree in performance music (BMus Performance violin with piano as second instrument). She began her professional career with the Christchurch Symphony when she was just 15 and has performed as a professional in NZ and Australia until her retirement from performance to have children.
Jonathan Densem is a singer, pianist, songwriter, arranger, director and actor. He has played roles in 50 or so professional productions touring here and in Australia, as well as thousands of piano man, rock, pop, jazz, funk, symphony, music direction and cabaret gigs.
Emma and Jonathan adore teaching and the joy that it brings their students. They teach from tiny tots right up to those heading for university programs both here and overseas.