Meet Our Team
Celia Williamson
Director | Music Tutor
Celia has lived in Hamilton all her life, raising six children and currently has 12 grandchildren! She is very passionate about family, and has always been able to make anyone she meets feel a part of hers. She has spent the past 20 years teaching in the classroom and as a music specialist in schools, helping train Music Teachers in the Waikato, and helping to plan and implement professional development and support for teachers in the greater Waikato Area. She was also on the New Zealand Music Education Board (MENZA) for a time.
"Music has been a huge part of my life. As long as I am hearing, playing or teaching music I am excited!”
- Celia Williamson
Kim Williamson
Director Kreative Arts Academy | Art Tutor
Kim completed a Bachelor of Media Arts at Wintec in 2014, majoring in Painting and Illustration. She then returned to postgraduate study while working at Excite and graduated with First Class Honors in Painting in 2019. From the time she was young, Kim has been influenced by the arts and now loves to find creative new ways to share and teach her passions in the arts to others.
Kim teaches all Art classes through her own business Kreative Art Academy, and helps with Excites business details.
Isabella Reid (Izzie)
Musical Theatre | Vocal Tutor | Piano
Isabella has always loved to sing and enjoys Classical, Choral
Music, Pop and Musical Theatre and she also likes to accompany herself singing on the piano.
Izzie performs regularly and has held three solo concerts at the Dr John Gallagher Concert Chamber in 2019, 2021 and 2024. These concerts were a mixture of musical theatre, classical and pop songs and duets. She is also involved in the community singing regularly at events, in rest homes and churches.
Izzy has just completed her Bachelor of Music majoring in
Classical Voice at the University of Waikato having been under Anna Leese’s tuition for two years. She is now working towards her teacher’s registration at Waikato University.
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Having taught vocal and piano lessons for the past few years to individuals, groups and choirs, Izzie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Excite Academy.
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Muriwai Ngawaka (Muri)
Drama | Musical Theatre | Vocals Tutor |
Kapa Haka
Muriwai has been active continuously in Performing Arts and Kapa Haka from the age of 6 onwards. She has performed in musicals such as Shrek Jr, High School Musical (twice), Rent, Mamma Mia, Hineraukatauri and Parihaka (both written by Paora Trim).
Muri competed in Kapa Haka competitions until college where her emphasis changed to tutoring. She has Level 3 qualification in tutoring Kapa Haka and Dance. Muri also has experience in teaching and choreography work with the Junior High School Dance Squads.
C​urrently studying for her Te Reo Maori Diploma at University of Waikato, Muri is refining her Te Reo Maori before moving forward to study at a Maori Performing Arts School.
She has a dream to own her own Te Reo Maori Performing Arts School in the future, what a dream!
Muri brings ​a range of drama, musical theatre, vocal and teaching experience to Excite Academy which is sure to inspire our students.
Charlotte (Charlie) Qian
Piano Tutor
In 2022, Charlie earned her undergraduate degree in Piano Performance from Shanghai Normal University. Following this she and her husband moved to NZ where she is currently pursuing advanced studies in piano at Waikato University.
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Passionate about nurturing a love for music, Charlie finds great joy in interacting with students, finding new ways to make piano learning fun and guiding them through the process of acquiring new knowledge. Her educational journey has equipped her with a solid foundation in piano techniques and musical theory.
Charlie is committed to inspiring a lifelong appreciation for music in everyone and we are delighted to have her on board.
Ann Speed
Violin Tutor
Ann and her husband and daughter moved from Northern Ireland to live in New Zealand 7 years ago and Ann has been working for Excite Academy ever since. During her 27 years in Ireland, Ann was employed as an Upper Strings Tutor by the Music Service of the Southern Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland. This role also included musical directorship of the South Ulster Youth Orchestra, and the South Ulster String Orchestra.
Ann also has experience as a freelance musician performing all over Ireland. Alongside her teaching career in NZ, Ann remains an active participant in semiprofessional orchestras and ensembles, both playing violin and making a contribution to directing.
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Robin Mark
Drums | Guitar | Electric Guitar | Bass Guitar | Ukulele Tutor
Robin comes from Taumarunui in the King Country. He grew up with awesome musicians around him at primary school which led to his love for all things music. He completed his Level 4 Certificate in Commercial Music at Wintec in 2016.
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Robin's main instrument is drums and he plays to a phenomenal standard, but he also loves playing guitar. He performs in a few rock/metal bands in Hamilton and he's always busy creating new music when he can.
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This is Robin's 4th year teaching at Excite Academy.