Meet Our Team
Celia Williamson
Director | Piano | Keyboard | Class Music | Intro to Music
Born and raised in Hamilton, Celia is a proud mother of six and grandmother to twelve. Her deep love for family extends naturally into her work—she has a unique ability to make everyone she meets feel welcomed, valued, and part of something special.
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With over 20 years of experience as a classroom teacher and music specialist, Celia has dedicated much of her career to inspiring young learners and supporting fellow educators. She has played a significant role in training music teachers across the Waikato, helping to plan and deliver professional development and support for schools in the wider region. Her commitment to music education also saw her serve as a member of the New Zealand Music Education Board (MENZA), contributing to national conversations about the future of music in schools.
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Now in its tenth year, Celia describes teaching for her own academy as “the best teaching job ever.” Through Excite Academy, she brings her passion, experience, and vision to life—creating a vibrant community where creativity, confidence, and a love of music can flourish.
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“Music has been a huge part of my life. As long as I am hearing, playing or teaching music, I am excited!”
— Celia Williamson
Megoe Chen
Piano | Violin | Class Music
Megoe is a passionate music teacher originally from Taiwan. She started learning piano at the age of five and violin at seven, and also enjoys playing guitar and drums.
In 2018, Megoe moved to New Zealand to continue her music studies and completed both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at the University of Canterbury. She is also a collaborative pianist with the University of Waikato.
Megoe has performed in many recitals and concerts and was invited to play in a concert in Melbourne in 2024. She loves teaching and believes music is a wonderful way to express yourself, build confidence, and have fun. Outside the classroom, Megoe enjoys hiking, running, and discovering new food.
Charlotte Qian (Charlie)
Piano Tutor
Charlie is a dedicated and inspiring piano tutor now in her third year with Excite Academy. Originally from China, she completed her undergraduate degree in Piano Performance at Shanghai Normal University in 2022. Shortly after, she and her husband moved to New Zealand, where she is currently pursuing advanced piano studies at the University of Waikato, further deepening her musical expertise and expanding her educational experience.
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Charlie brings with her a strong foundation in classical technique, music theory, and performance, shaped by years of focused study and a deep personal connection to her instrument. Her teaching is not only rooted in technical excellence but also in a genuine passion for making music education enjoyable and accessible to students of all ages.
With a warm and encouraging approach, Charlie thrives on building positive relationships with her students. Whether it’s helping beginners build confidence or guiding more advanced students to refine their artistry, Charlie’s goal is to spark a lifelong love and appreciation for music.
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Her calm presence, patient nature, and commitment to each student’s progress make her a cherished member of the Excite team. We are thrilled to have Charlie with us and excited to see the continued impact she will have in helping young pianists grow in skill, creativity, and confidence.
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ANN SPEED
Violin | Viola
Ann joined Excite Academy after relocating to New Zealand from Northern Ireland with her husband and daughter seven years ago, and she has been a valued member of our teaching team ever since.
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During her 27-year career in Ireland, Ann worked as an Upper Strings Tutor with the Music Service of the Southern Education and Library Board, a role that also saw her serve as Musical Director of the South Ulster Youth Orchestra and the South Ulster String Orchestra. Alongside this, she built a successful freelance performance career, appearing with ensembles across Ireland.
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Alongside her teaching work in New Zealand, Ann continues to be an active performer in semi-professional orchestras and ensembles, contributing both as a violinist and in directing roles. Her depth of experience, professionalism, and passion for nurturing young musicians make her a valued and long-standing member of the Excite Academy teaching team.
Robin Mark
Drums | Guitar | Electric Guitar | Bass Guitar |
Ukulele Tutor
Robin hails from Taumarunui in the King Country, where his musical journey began at a young age. Surrounded by talented musicians during his primary school years, he was inspired early on to pursue a life steeped in music. That passion led him to study at Wintec, where he completed his Level 4 Certificate in Commercial Music in 2016, solidifying his technical knowledge and performance skills.
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While drums are Robin’s primary instrument—played to a phenomenal standard—his talents extend beyond percussion. He is also an accomplished guitarist and a creative force within Hamilton’s vibrant music scene. Robin performs in several rock and metal bands, bringing raw energy and precision to every performance. When he’s not on stage or in the studio, he’s often writing, composing, or experimenting with new musical ideas and sounds.
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Now in his fifth year teaching at Excite Academy, Robin is a valued and passionate member of the team. With real-world performance experience and a solid grounding in contemporary music, Robin inspires his students to push boundaries, build confidence, and discover their own unique sound.
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Robin is excited to continue sharing his love for music and helping the next generation of musicians grow their skills—both on and off the stage.
Ezearra Fairuz
Drums | Guitar | Electric Guitar | Bass Guitar
Originally from Malaysia, Ezearra moved to New Zealand with his family two years ago and is currently in his second year studying Law at the University of Waikato.
A dedicated and versatile musician, he began learning piano at the age of four, completing all his ABRSM grades at a young age. He later expanded his musical journey by studying guitar for over seven years, developing advanced skills across a wide range of styles including classical, fingerstyle, modern rock, blues, and improvisation.
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In addition to his formal training in piano and guitar, Ezearra is experienced in bass and drums, bringing a well-rounded approach to his teaching. He is deeply passionate about music education and is committed to helping students grow in confidence and creativity through their musical journey.
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Ezearra is thrilled to be part of the Excite Academy team and looks forward to inspiring the next generation of musicians.
Tammy Lai
Vocal Tutor
Kate Walker
Drama | Musical Theatre | Vocals Tutor |
Kate Walker is a passionate and dedicated performer and educator who has been immersed in the world of dance and musical theatre since the age of four. With many years of stage performance experience, Kate brings a strong work ethic, infectious enthusiasm, and a genuine love of collaboration into every class she teaches.
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Currently completing a Bachelor of Education at the University of Waikato, Kate is deeply committed to creating positive, encouraging learning environments where students feel safe to express themselves and confident to grow. She values kindness, connection, and building meaningful relationships, and believes these are key foundations for developing young performers.
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Kate is excited to share her love of performance with Excite Academy students this year, inspiring them to discover their creativity, build self-belief, and experience the joy of being on stage.