Our performance pedagogy features one-to-one studio tuition as its signature centrepiece. You will extend your performance experience through chamber music and a rich variety of ensembles. These include small instrumental chamber groups, the School’s renowned Chamber Choir, and the university chamber and symphony orchestras. In recent years, ensembles as varied as Hindustani and Baroque String groups have been offered. From 2026, Jazz and Pop ensembles will open across specialisations allowing for more diverse student musicking. Competitive entry into Auxiliary or second instrument or voice is also a feature of Performance study.

Our university has a key industry partnership with Auckland Philharmonia. Many of the orchestra’s musicians are instrumental teachers at the School, and each year visiting soloists and conductors give masterclasses to our students. Our annual concerto competition provides three studens the opportunity to perform as soloists with Auckland Philharmonia in concert as well as other mentored internships and opportunities.

The flexible structure of our Bachelor of Music degree allows you to combine your performance training with courses in the other pathways including music production, music education, conducting, composition, and musicology.

We understand that decisions about where to study music are often based upon availability of specific teachers. See our performance teachers’ biographies by discipline.

You are invited to contact individual teachers directly with any queries you may have. If your desired instrument is not listed, please contact us.

Depending on your choice of courses, our Performance specialisation prepares you for a career as a performer and/or educator, as well as many music-related professions.