Chris Burcin

Classroom Music Teacher – Choral Conductor – Piano & Voice Teacher – Bass Voice Soloist

Music education is my passion. The study of music enhances students’ understanding of all other learning areas. I don’t expect my students to become musicians, just better people.
I perform regularly myself—classical, choral, folk, funk—and enjoy creating unique musical arrangements. Whether performing, teaching or conducting, I hold myself to the highest standards and expect the same from those around me.

 
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

Queensland Teacher Registration                                                  2012
Queensland College of Teachers

New Zealand Teacher Registration                                                2001-2013
New Zealand Teachers Council

Grade 8 Voice with Distinction                                                       2006
Trinity Guildhall, London

Recognised Bachelor of Music with Honours/Dip Tch                         2002
New Zealand Qualifications Authority

Bachelor of Science in Music Education                                           1992- 1996
Choral conducting/ vocal music focus; piano major
Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, USA

TEACHING & CONDUCTING SUMMARY
More detail may be found on the Teacher/ Conductor Page

HOD Music & Performing Arts/ Music Teacher                                  2002- 2012
Waimea College, Nelson, New Zealand          

Associate Conductor                                                                     2007- 2008
New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir

Regional Music Tutor                                                                    2004- 2007
University of Canterbury College of Education , Nelson Campus
(formerly Christchurch College of Education)

Musical Director                                                                           2002- 2005
Polyhymnos Chamber Choir, Nelson School of Music

Choral Arranger & Consultant                                                       1998- present

Music & Performing Arts Teacher                                                   2001- 2002
Kamo High School, Whangarei, New Zealand

Music Teacher/ Choir Conducting Specialist                                     1998- 2000
June Ryan School of Music, Apia, Samoa
Via U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer Service

Music Specialist Classroom Teacher (K-6)                                         1997- 1998
Kingston Elementary School, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
More detail, including audio and video, may be found on the Performance Page

Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir                                                2002- present
(formerly Tower Voices) New Zealand (national)

Baroque Voices                                                                            2010- 2011
Early Music Ensemble, Wellington, New Zealand

Comrade Z                                                                                  2010- present
Rumoured to play Accordion/ Vocals as character Fyodor Mikhailov
Co-founder of Nelson’s loudest East European folk band

Classical Bass Voice Soloist                                                             2001- 2011
Nelson Civic Choir & Orchestra, Nelson New Zealand
Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir, New Zealand (national)
Consortium Choir, Whangarei, New Zealand

Trent de L’Amour and the Subcommittee                                        2009- 2011
Trombone/ Hammond Organ/Keys/Vocals
Co-founder of Nelson’s Premiere Funk Lounge band

Nelson Symphony Orchestra                                                          2005-2009
Trombone in various concerts, as required

Musica Ficta                                                                                2007- 2011
Founder of Nelson’s Early Music Vocal Ensemble

SKILLS, STRENGTHS & INTERESTS

Piano & Vocal Tuition
Experienced tutor in both disciplines and ability to take students to advanced level

Choral Conducting
Experienced conductor, keen to work with singing groups of any age, ability or genre

Choral Arranging and Workshops
My unique choral arrangements have been performed by the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir, Femme Choir of Southland Girls High School, Belle a Cappella, the Auckland Youth Choir and others.

ICT & Web Design
Lead teacher at Waimea College for new technologies, including interactive wipeboards and designed and maintained various blogsites in a professional capacity including:

www.thebigsing.wordpress.com for the NZ Choral Federation
www.comradez.co.nz for the band Comrade Z
www.belleacappella.org for the Waimea College vocal ensemble
www.bloggingarts.wordpress.com for an online workshop for teachers

Sibelius—confidence in this specialist music software
Protools—experienced in this industry-standard recording software
Word/ Excel—proficient in standard PC software
PC and Mac—comfortable on both platforms

Trombone/ Accordion/ Guitar instrumental tutor
Beginner to intermediate players

Outdoor sports
Keen kayaker, runner, cyclist, tramper and tennis player, interested in being active and encouraging the same in others.

REFERENCES

Larry Ching
The Principal
Waimea College
Salisbury Road
Richmond, Nelson 7020
+64 3 544 6099
larry.ching@waimea.school.nz

Karen Grylls
Associate Professor
School of Music, University of Auckland
Undergraduate Advisor, Head of Choral Studies
Artistic Director, Voices NZ Chamber Choir, NZ Youth Choir www.youthchoir.org.nz
Artistic Director, Exultate Chamber Singers, Toronto www.exultate.net
*Karen is on sabbatical in Canada and will continue to check emails
k.grylls@auckland.ac.nz

Graeme Smith
Associate Principal
Waimea College
Salisbury Road
Richmond, Nelson 7020
+64 3 544 6099
graeme.smith@waimea.school.nz