Ray & Maxine Nelson
Founders & Directors of Ignite Arts Academy
Ray is a passionate entrepreneur with 28 years in music education. An accomplished musician himself, he has owned and operated several successful music studios over the years in large performing arts academies overseas, and brings with him a desire to see an arts hub model established locally that can also be used to expand out to other parts of NZ and beyond.
Maxine has been married to Ray for 31 years and they've worked on and in many ventures together. She considers raising three outstanding young people, Brianna, Joshua and Jacob a huge accomplishment. She is responsible for recruiting the Ignite instructors and co-directs Ignite Arts Academy with her husband, spearheads and develops the concepts behind the Ignite programs and the very popular performing arts school holiday workshops. She is passionate about excellence in the arts and is an accomplished musician and vocalist.
IGNITE'S TEACHERS
polina loman
DANCE DIRECTOR
TEACHING: Ballet, Jazz, Mini Movers, Contemporary
Polina has always been passionate about the creative world of dance. Professionally trained in classical and contemporary techniques, she performed and taught for different theatres in Russia, Australia and New Zealand. Upon gaining her Master’s degree in Arts Management, Polina has been coordinating scenes for live performances, musicals and stage shows. Her choreography has been featured in TV advertisements, stage productions and concerts. In New Zealand, Polina has created solo and group choreography for aspiring students and worked on developing students’ ballet and contemporary techniques. Her local students successfully won top prizes at dance competitions. Polina is excited to bring her expertise and passion to the Ignite Arts Academy.
jaime warren
TEACHING: Hip Hop
Jaime has danced and taught for 23 years in creative, fitness, studio and company spaces. Her favourite styles are Urban Street and Contemporary. Her passion with dance lies in empowering others in movement expression and health. Also seeing others find a niche of freedom & fun within dance and music. She aims to bring this energy and intention to the Ignite space and joy to those who join these classes.
mari erwee
TEACHING: Drama/Musical Theatre
Born in South Africa and now thriving in the picturesque community of Cambridge, New Zealand, Mari's journey into the world of drama started early in life. As a child, she eagerly joined a local drama school, where she discovered her passion for the performing arts. Yearly productions and competitions became the highlight of her youth, fueling her love for storytelling and the stage.
This early passion led her to pursue a degree in Education with a specialisation in Drama. For several years, she had the privilege of teaching Drama to students from year 11 to 13, imparting her knowledge and passion for the arts. Additionally, back in South Africa, she co-founded and co- owned Spotlight Drama School, a cherished institution where she nurtured young talent aged 6 to 18.
While her journey began as a performer, she found her true calling in teaching and directing. She dedicated herself to producing annual plays, musical productions, and end-of-year concerts that showcased the creativity and talent of her students. Beyond the school walls, she guided and prepared students for competitions and community-based projects, instilling in them a love for drama and a sense of community spirit.
Today, her career continues to be driven by a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of the arts. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, I am committed to inspiring and empowering others through drama, enriching lives, and fostering creativity wherever she goes.
matthew mooney
TEACHING: Drums, Keyboard, Guitar, Band, Bass
Matthew lives and breathes music and loves sharing his knowledge and creativity with the next generation. He describes his teaching style as practical and fun. Matt has been playing drums for 25 years, and guitar & keyboard for a similar amount of time. He started gigging and performing at a young age and has been involved in at least 1000 shows and gigs since.
Matt was brought up in and around Musical Theatre and believes music to be his main life purpose. In his spare time he is also a freelance sound and stage technician doing sound and lighting work for festivals, tours, and events.
Fun Fact: Matthew is also the keyboardist for the reggae band “The Generation”, Rotorua band ‘Origin Roots’ and drummer for the death metal band “Gasp”
ann speed
TEACHING: Violin, Viola
Ann and her husband and daughter recently moved from Northern Ireland to live in New Zealand. For the past 27 years she has been employed as an Upper Strings Tutor by the Music Service of the Southern Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland. This role also incluilded musical directorship of the South Ulster Youth Orchestra, and the South Ulster String Orchestra.
Alongside her teaching career she remains an active participant in semiprofessional orchestras and ensembles, both playing violin and making a contribution to directing. She also has experience as a freelance musician performing all over Ireland.
ted yu
TEACHING: Violin
Ted Yu started teaching violin in China from 2014 after 18 years of study and practice on the instrument, among the years he has gained lots of teaching experience, especially with building up the basics for new violin learners, from students of a wide range of ages. Originally from China, Ted came to New Zealand in 2017, and moved to Cambridge at the beginning of 2020 after finishing his study in ECE Teaching in Auckland, and now he's working proudly as an local ECE teacher and nurturing the younger generation. Apart from his main job, Ted has also been a member of Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra based in Hamilton, and has been the section leader of the second violin section.
carey gilliver
TEACHING: Bass, Guitar, Drums, Keyboard
Carey began his journey in music at about the age of six learning to play the piano, achieving Grade 7 (Royal Schools) and Grade 5 theory. He has year 1 and 2 University papers in musicianship (ear training) and Materials of Music (harmony and counterpoint).
He began playing the guitar seriously in his early teens and joined a classic rock and blues band, Magic Roundabout, at age 21 on keyboards and guitar and later fronting and lead vocals. He has also played the drums since age 13.
Carey has played in a number of different bands and shows touring all over NZ including rock band Boneyard on lead guitar, ‘The Chain’ Fleetwood Mac Experience (lead guitar and vocals), Creedence Clearwater Revived (lead vocals and lead guitar) and Knightshade (keyboards). He has also performed many gigs solo singing and playing the guitar. Carey is currently a member of an excellent Pink Floyd theatre show called Floyd Live on guitar and lap steel.
Carey has also worked for about 20 years in the sound and lighting production industry with Scott Sound and Lighting and has a solid understanding of live sound mixing and stagecraft.
Having been raised in a family of teachers he is very friendly and approachable and takes an easy and non-pressurizing approach with his students, maintaining a strong focus on them having fun with their music.
jacob nelson
TEACHING: Guitar (Acoustic, Electric, Bass, Ukulele), Drums, Ignite the Beatz, Intro to Music
Jacob Nelson is a passionate musician, songwriter, music producer, performer and popular teacher at Ignite Arts Academy. Being the youngest son of Ray & Maxine Nelson, he has had the opportunity to immerse himself in all thing’s music from a very young age.
At age 13 years Jacob made his very first acoustic guitar under the guidance of a local luthier, which is still his favourite to perform with. In his spare time, he loves to play league basketball, golf and keep fit.
Jacob enjoys connecting with and encouraging music students of all ages and stages and loves to see the joy music brings to people’s lives.
rachael bloemendal
TEACHING: Keyboard, Vocals, Tap
Rachael has been on stage since the age of 13 years and is involved with all things musical theatre. She is currently in her second year of study at Winter/Te Pukenga, studying for a Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts (Theatre). Rachael has taught vocals, dance and musical theatre classes in previous years and is really looking forward to sharing her experience and knowledge with the students at Ignite. She also teaches vocal classes at Forest Lake School in Hamilton.
You will most likely find Rachael onstage in local musical theatre shows. Her most recent performance was as the leading role of Sandy in Grease at Clarence Street Theatre, and is set to play another leading lady, Igna, in Hamilton Musical Theatre’s upcoming production of ‘Young Frankenstein’. As well as on-stage experience, Rachael has also musically directed ‘Frankenstein the Pantomime’ and was the assistant musical director for ’Shrek Jr’, ’Seussical Jr’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast Jr’ all at Morrinsville Theatre. If Rachael isn’t on stage (or rehearsing to be on stage in the near future) you can find her in the gym, curled up with a good book, crocheting, or teaching aerial fitness classes!
gary venn
TEACHING: Guitar, Drum, Keyboard, Vocals
Gary began learning guitar at the age of 11 and since then has played in many bands and orchestras, and can also play several other instruments, including bass, keyboards, and drums, although the guitar remains his primary instrument.
After leaving high school Gary completed a music degree at Waikato University while continuing to perform in bands and began to write and record his own music. Throughout this time, beginning in high school, he has been giving private music lessons, which have continued sporadically over the years in between doing other types of work.
After leaving University Gary eventually became a freelance illustrator. During this time he continued to pursue music, for a time playing in a professional Jazz band that played every week for six years at a venue in Hamilton.
He has played in bands of many styles, including jazz, rock, alternative, punk, and has also done solo performances. His playing has been featured on several albums.
Gary has over 30 years of experience in performance, tuition, composition, and recording.
ben gibbons
TEACHING: Guitar (Acoustic, Electric, Bass & Ukulele), Vocals, Beatz, Drums
Ben is a multi-instrumentalist and all-around music lover! Since graduating from the New Zealand School of Music he has enjoyed working at the heart of New Zealand's music scene, operating a music studio out of Wellington working alongside talented up-and-coming local acts, as well as releasing original music under the stage name 'Benji's Palace'.
Ben has also had the great pleasure of touring the country with various bands, headlining shows, and opening for international acts and festivals nationwide. He is a lover of musical theatre having performed at local theatres including Clarence St and Founders and is excited to share all that he has learned with the students of Ignite Arts Academy.
kyla greening
TEACHING: Vocals, Guitar, Drums
Kyla has been completing her Music Honours at Wintec, employed as a massage therapist and has been involved in many musical endeavors including community arts events, and creating a creative profile for herself, with others, and for others through singing and songwriting.
As a singing teacher, she brings positive energy and encouragement to the voice lessons throughout the year. She has over 10 years of live singing experience and enjoys working with others to cultivate creativity and express themselves through voice and music.
She particularly enjoys seeing her previous students gain confidence in themselves through musical expression and practice.
ian cosgrove
TEACHING: Guitar (Acoustic, Bass & Ukulele), Keyboard
Ian is a musician with over 30 years of playing experience playing in rock bands, musical theatre and solo recitals. Ian is passionate about teaching music not only to impart technical skills and knowledge but also to allow students to deepen their connection to music by getting to know what kind of repertoire students prefer.
Ian’s main instrument is the guitar but he loves playing the keyboard, bass, and ukelele. Ian holds an ATCL diploma in Classical Guitar from Trinity College London
ADMIN TEAM
becky lee
MUSIC PROGRAM COORDINATOR (Schools, Ignite)
Becky is from Hawkes Bay originally, but grew up in Cambridge from when she was eight. After finishing School Becky lived in Netherlands, England, Scotland & Australia while on her OE in her early 20’s. Once back in NZ her Travel Agent career started and lasted for 14 fantastic years! At the end of 2019 Becky went on maternity leave, which happened to be perfect timing to start her family. After building her family home just out of Cambridge and having two little boys later, plus Covid… she has chosen to change tact and come on board with us to put all her fabulous organisational skills to good work looking after our Music & Schools department. Becky loves to help so let her know if you need any adjustments.
ashleigh pratt
OFFICE MANAGER
Ashleigh studied media arts at WINTEC in Hamilton, is a whiz on the computer and has over 7 years experience in the admin sector. Her life revolves around her furr babies, Bear (Black cat) and Ace (American Bulldog).
With music and art being two of her passions, she loves working here at Ignite and seeing how the students learn and grow.
Ashleigh is your go-to for account and invoice questions.
jessica judge
GRAPHIC DESIGNER (CONSULTANT)
Jessica moved to Cambridge 10 years ago from Sydney, via Auckland (for a short stint). She studied, and has qualifications in Marketing, Graphic Design and Television production. She is also a self-taught photographer and works as a freelancer for the Resene Habitat magazine. Passionate about helping small businesses get ahead, Jessica’s work revolves around ensuring her clients have a marketing and design presence that guarantees they stand out from their competitors. Jessica’s clients range from Food Retail, Real Estate, Performing Arts to Health, Plumbers, Interior Design and Engineering firms.
In her free time, she enjoys the summer months, out boating and waterskiing with family, and during winter, hunkering down with a great book in front of the fire.
For more info on Jessica, and how she could help with your business, email her on jessica@cojuconsulting.com