Good times on the ‘Music Bus’

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Upper Hutt City Mayor Wayne Guppy cut the ribbon at the launch of Goodtime Music Academy’s brand new Music Bus, Wednesday 1st September, 2010, at Birchville primary school in Upper Hutt.
Lower Hutt City mayor David Ogden launched the Bus at Eastern Hutt school the following day.
The Music Bus is a self contained, fully equipped, mobile drum tutoring studio.
Goodtime Music Academy director Jonny Wilson recognised the need to make it easier for primary schools to offer their students drum lessons without compromising on quality.
“We already offer around 100 students private lessons, but we wanted to expand our business and provide music tuition to a wider and younger group of students in a revolutionary new way,” says Wilson.
The idea of creating a mobile tutoring studio on a bus came in a moment of inspiration, and Wilson thinks it is the first of its kind in the country.
“It can be hard for primary schools to find the space and equipment necessary to offer students drum lessons. The Music Bus can take all of the pressure off by providing a service that doesn’t cost the school anything,” says Wilson.
“All we need is a car park and we can provide students with the opportunity to learn in a fun environment with state of the art equipment that includes an electronic drum kit”.
Wilson started Goodtime Music Academy in 2008 after graduating from the NZ School of Music in 2006. He is passionate about music and about building a greater appreciation for music and arts, especially amongst school children.
“My tutors don’t just teach the kids how to play the drums – they are role models and encourage the kids to have a passion for music,” says Wilson.
Wilson dreams of having multiple buses in the Wellington region, and of developing the academy’s premesis in Upper Hutt so that it becomes a hub for budding musicians.
“I really want to create an environment where kids are excited to come and learn, and there are opportunities for them to get involved in music beyond their lessons.”
“One group of students are already booked to play at Christmas in the Park this year which I’m really excited about and I’m always looking for other opportunities to get the kids involved in community events,” he says.
The Music Bus will be fully operational from September and will be servicing four schools in the Wellington region for the remainder of 2010.
2011 will see the bus working with 10 primary schools and being involved in promotions in schools throughout the Wellington region.
For further information about Goodtime Music Academy visit the website: www.goodtimedrumacademy.co.nz