Speaking at its sixth annual celebration and donor event, Craig Robins stated "our numbers continue to grow with around 300 children taking music lessons".
"A new outreach programme to local primary schools is boosting these numbers further."
TUTM’s also supported 57 families this year with music lesson subsidies, including three full scholarship students, reflecting the struggles many are having in the community.
Robins says TUTM’s very grateful for the support of the Te Atamira arts centre, where its 18 teachers hold lessons, and Arrowtown Creative Arts Society, which has come onboard to support the subsidy programme.
He’s also delighted 16-year-old youth trustee Bethany Argyle, a member of Wakatipu High’s jazz band, came up with the idea of taking the band to local primary schools.
"Not only is this an opportunity to perform for the band, it is resonating with kids who have had little or no exposure to music.
"What better way to introduce young kids to music than watching their older peers perform."
Robins also makes special mention of patrons Jillian Jardine and Mark Wilson, and Wilson’s wife, TUTM co-founder Emma Wilson, who last month won the Spirit of the Wakatipu event’s arts and culture award.
