OUR PEOPLE
OUR PEOPLE
KAREN JOHNSON
School Manager
Karen has been an enthusiastic contributor to the local performing arts scene for over 40 years …mainly in the areas of speech & drama, choir & musical theatre.
Professionally her experience lies in speech-language therapy, drama, public speaking, team building & event management.
A keen member of the Hamilton Civic Choir, Karen also plays the piano & guitar and is thrilled to now be continuing her creative journey – albeit in a more administrative capacity.
ANNA HUR
Office Manager / Treasurer
Anna is a highly skilled and experienced individual with a diverse background. She has got a passion for teaching, evident in her extensive experience as an English and piano tutor across different age groups and countries. She is also well-versed in music, holding ABRSM qualifications up to Diploma level. Her experience in customer service and administration from her role at a dental clinic and an accounting company adds another dimension to her skillset.
RICHARD LUMMUS
Photographer / IT Technician
Richard has been involved in the I.T. industry for over 20 years.
While his involvement with WCSM started purely in the field of photography, his tech skills quickly became apparent. He is now our I.T. Technician and official photographer and his ongoing support to our office staff is invaluable.
Richard remains a very welcome volunteer whose presence at the school on Saturday mornings is always greatly appreciated.
ANN SPEED
Violin, Viola, String Orchestra
JEAN PATERSON
Violin
Jean teaches violin and piano, and she has taught violin both privately and in schools for over 30 years. In addition to her teaching experience, Jean has an ATCL violin, Grade 8 piano, and B Soc sciences. Jean is involved with tutoring students in the WCSM String Orchestra and has played first violin with the Trust Waikato Symphony orchestra.
ASHLEIGH SMITH
Music Makers, Flute, Theory
DANNY ROGUSKI
Brass, Ukulele, Concert Band Conductor
Danny has extensive experience as a Brass, Wind, and Bass Guitar player and teacher, a band leader, and a Ukulele player/teacher. He first played with the Waikato Symphony Orchestra in 1968, after a time playing in the 3rd Battalion, Auckland Regimental (Territorial Army) band as 1st Trumpet and currently plays trombone with the Hamilton Big Band. He has been an in-school music teacher and served as guest player and mentor with the United Youth Orchestra. Danny established the current Ukulele program at WCSM and incorporated Ukulele into the Concert Band.
HAJIN KIM
Cello
Hajin is a cello tutor with five to six years of playing experience, holding a distinction in Grade 7 cello and Grade 6 piano. He is currently studying Grade 8 cello and has performed with Youth Orchestra Waikato and the Hamilton Boys’ High School Orchestra. Hajin has competed in the Chamber Music Contest as part of a cello trio and played in the opening shows of the Waikato Regional Theatre.
IAN COSGROVE
Classical Guitar, Guitar Ensemble
Ian is a classically trained guitarist and has an ATCL in Classical Guitar. He has taught Classical Guitar and Music Theory at the Waikato Community School of Music for four years. As a Classical Guitar teacher, he focuses on teaching correct guitar techniques, sight-reading, an understanding of music theory, ear training and the importance of playing rhythm “in time”. Ian has helped prepare students for Music Performance exams with excellent results. As a performer, Ian’s repertoire includes Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist and folk-inspired classical music from Spanish and South American Music.
MICAH ENNION
Hulusi, Music Makers
Micah is a tutor for Hulusi and Music Makers classes. Micah plays hulusi and trumpet. He studied hulusi in China and achieved Level 10, Grade 8. He received gold awards in the Golden Star and Torch Youth Folk Arts competitions. Micah directs the WCSM Multicultural Orchestra, as well as being the founder of the EnZhe Chinese Chamber Group at Hamilton Boys’ High School. He also performs on trumpet with the Hamilton Boys’ High School Big Band and the Waikato Youth Orchestra. At Hamilton Boys’ High School, he has also received multiple awards for composition.
JEFF JIA
Clarinet and Saxophone
A jazz fan, Jeff has taught music privately, and specializes in Clarinet and Saxophone. He has held the positions of first Tenor Sax as well as first Clarinet with the Hamilton Boys’ High School Jazz Band, Waikato Secondary Schools’ Big Band and orchestra respectively. Jeff also has a special interest in music production.
RAPHAEL WU
Piano
Raphael is currently preparing for ATCL piano and Grade 8 violin. He also plays Erhu, Pipa, Guitar and Timpani. Raphael has received the Hillcrest High School’s Fagan trophy of Music in 2023, and was highly commended in the Chamber Music Contest, as a member of the 8-hands Piano Quartet. He is a member of United Youth Orchestra, Formosa Chamber Orchestra, HHS Orchestra, Concert Band, and the accompanist for the HHS Choir.
JOYCE ROGUSKI
Keyboard
Joyce has taught Electronic Keyboard and piano in Hamilton, both privately and in group format, for a number of years. She is experienced in the music syllabus of Trinity College of Music, London, and has a highly successful record of preparing keyboard and piano students for the College’s examinations.
Many of her students have achieved quite high exam results. Joyce encourages her students to have a strong work ethic, which will serve them well in all walks of life.
IZZY MCGUINNESS
Vocal
Izzy has been singing since the age of three, growing up in a musical household with a mum who is a vocal coach. She is a two-time scholarship recipient at the Hamilton Singing Competitions and has performed multiple lead roles in productions across New Zealand, Bangkok, and Dubai. Izzy has also sung as part of a choir in London, gaining valuable international performance experience. Izzy brings a strong performance background, creative songwriting experience, and a genuine passion for helping students build confidence and find their own voice.
CATRIN WOOTTON
Flute, Fife, Flute Ensemble
Following her completion of a degree in Music with Honours, Catrin achieved a postgraduate diploma in Performance Flute. She has taught Flute in Hamilton-area primary and intermediate schools for a number of years, and participated in Starjam in 2019.