Katrina McGuinness

BA (Film, Theatre); Diploma in Performing Arts - Singing

IDTA (International Dance Teachers Assn) Teaching Diploma in Musical Theatre with Distinction

 

I love my job!  I have a wonderful time teaching kids (and adults).  Don't get me wrong, I work really hard, but the bonus is that I love what I do.  I have been teaching Musical Theatre since 2005 and I have been a professional Vocal Coach for 10 years.  I have been employed in the feature film industry as a professional actor.  I have vast experience in the industry working as a professional singer, dancer, choreographer and director.  I moved back to Whakatane 2 years ago to be closer to family.  I grew up here and as much as I loved Wellington, Auckland, Sydney and the UK, the Bay of Plenty is paradise!  I hope that I can bring my knowledge and skills to this community to give our kids the opportunity to have as much enjoyment singing, dancing and acting as I always have.

 

If you would like to know more please check out my website

http://thesinginghobbit.wix.com/katrina-mcguinness

 

Bio

Director and vocal coach of the recent hugely successful production of Footloose, Katrina has been making her mark since returning to Whakatane.  Katrina works as the vocal coach for Trident High, Whakatane High and Edgecumbe College.  She also is to head of Vocals for Wairiki Contemporary Music in Rotorua.  As a professional performing artist, Katrina has a lot to offer her students with her wealth of current industry knowledge.  Katrina coaches bands and directs shows on a regular basis and is coached by and does training with international performers such as Jilia Milin and Wendy Parr. Katrina has performed on most of the big stages in Wellington, and her voice has seen her perform her as far afield as Europe!  Her acting skills (and height) secured her employment in the pick ups for the Hobbit (2&3).  Katrina is currently writing a Musical, working on an album.

 

 

Emmy Walker

Adv Dip in Acting; Film and Dance UCOL

 

Emmy's an actress, presenter and freelance screen play writer. She studied dance,  music, theatre and film at UCOL.  After graduating she spent the next 3 years majoring in acting at the Wellington Performing Arts Centre where she meet her partner in local crime Katrina McGuinness!

 

Emmy performed in many professional theatre shows, cabaret shows and local films in Wellington shere she also worked as a drama teacher.  From there she then went on to managing entertainment on cruiseships for 3 years where she was a main presenter and event co-ordinator. Having had an amazing experience  she decided to see what all the fuss is about in Hollywood and trained and performed at TVI LA.

 

After all her travel and  experience she realised theres no place like home and came back to the beautiful BOP to be closer to her family and focus on writing. Her main interest is acting and working with people, she's about following the heart,following your dream and embracing the individual qualities that make you shine!