Mary Ayre

Mary has been part of Nelson Centre of Musical Arts (formerly Nelson School of Music) since she was 7, when she learnt piano from Harold Colombatti, the Principal at the time.

Subsequently Mary studied Piano Performance at Auckland University with Brian Sayer and Janetta McStay. After gaining her B.Mus Performer’s degree she went to Sydney for a further four years of study with Elizabeth Kozma who was formerly Professor of Piano and Deputy Director of the Franz Lizst Academy in Budapest. It was Elizabeth who instructed her in a professional European approach to playing and teaching which she has used ever since.

Mary has over 45 years teaching experience and very much enjoys teaching children.

The teaching method learnt under Elizabeth Kozma involves integrating piano technique with note reading, theory and musicality, right from the beginning. For this it is necessary to have a piano as opposed to  an electronic piano or keyboard.

Mary loves working with young students, sharing in their growing ability to play and be inspired by the wonderful instrument which is the piano and the music composed for it.