NASDA ~ National Academy Of Singing And Dramatic Art

About
Our People

NASDA boasts a tutorial staff of international calibre, committed to students making the most of their special talents. They provide valuable and skilled direction, encouragement and inspiration, preparing students for the imaginative, dynamic, rewarding but often demanding world of performing arts.

Head of school of performing arts: Tom Rainey

An experienced educator, Tom has been a tutor at CPIT Jazz School since its formation in 1991, was programme leader for two years from 2007, and was appointed Head of the School of Performing Arts in 2009.

As an instrumentalist on bass and piano he has performed with a huge variety of artists in many musical styles, including Georgie Fame, John Dankworth, Lee Konitz, James Morrison, Nat Adderly, Max Bygraves, Petula Clark, Renée Geyer, Bic Runga, Anika Moa, Dave Dobbyn, Mary Coughlan, Kiri Te Kanawa and Hayley Westenra. He has played support for artists such as Art Garfunkel, Cher, Julio Iglesias, the Beach Boys and David Gates, is a regular contributor to many NZ music festivals, and has played on more than 50 albums..

As a leading arranger, his catalogue numbers over 200 orchestrations, including work for artists such as Malcolm McNeill, Tim Beveridge, Judd Arthur, Ali Harper, Hayley Westenra, Whirimako Black and Bic Runga. His arrangements have been performed by all the NZ regional orchestras, the NZSO, the Australian Pops Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with performances in Europe, Asia, Australia and the US, including Carnegie Hall. A particular interest in mixing popular styles with orchestra has seen him initiate, arrange and produce collaborations with Renée Geyer, Midge Marsden, Bic Runga, Julia Deans, Anika Moa, Dave Dobbyn and Goldenhorse. 2003’s “Bic Runga – live with the Christchurch Symphony” was nominated for the NZ music awards, and he arranged (with Neil Finn) for Bic’s album “Birds”, and for feature concerts by Dave Dobbyn and Greg Johnson. Recent projects include 2008’s critically acclaimed tour and recording of Salmonella Dub with the NZSO, and in 2009 Kiwi Jazz with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

Tom’s TV credits over the last 20 years include numerous documentary and series soundtracks, including “Kiwi Kitchen” for TVNZ . He was musical director and composer for the childrens’ TV series "Bumble" (over 350 episodes), and has twice composed for and musically directed TVNZ’s Halberg awards. He has written and produced dozens of advertising jingles, including work for clients such as New World, Shell, Pak’n’save, Postie Plus and Kathmandu. Since 2008 he has been a regular monthly contributor to Concert FM’s upbeat programme.

Head of NASDA: Richard Marrett

Richard is in demand as a musical director and is also an accomplished pianist, arranger and composer. His degree is from Victoria University of Wellington and he has also gained his Licentiate from the Royal Schools of Music.

Well-known for his work in music throughout the country, Richard is also a sought-after teacher and vocal coach. He has lectured at the Christchurch Jazz School, conducted and arranged for Christchurch Symphony, Wellington Sinfonia, Showbiz Christchurch, The Court Theatre, Wellington Musical Theatre, ARTCO, Dunedin Operatic, Canterbury Music Theatre, NASDA, The Orpheus Choir and the Choral Federation. Several of his orchestrations have been recorded with the NZSO and he has a busy schedule working as producer and arranger on a number of recording projects.

Richard’s close involvement with musical theatre began as pianist for shows such as Anything Goes, 42nd Street, Chess and Singin’ In The Rain. Since then his numerous musical direction credits include Mame, The King And I, Sweet Charity, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Tell Me On A Sunday, West End To Broadway (I, II and III), My Fair Lady, 42nd Street, Fiddler On The Roof, Annie, Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, Beauty And The Beast, Cats, Chicago and Miss Saigon. The latest Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin seasons of Les Miserables were conducted by Richard, and at The Court Theatre he has been musical director for their productions of My Fair Lady, South Pacific, The Rocky Horror Show, The Sound of Music, Jerry’s Girls, Oliver!, Guys and Dolls, The Producers, Anything Goes, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and La Cage Aux Folles. Richard also regularly appears as musical director and arranger for the popular ASB Starry Nights, staged in Hagley Park with Christchurch Symphony as part of the city's Summertimes programme, and in cabaret performances with Ali Harper and Juliet Reynolds-Midgley. For ARTCO he created the score for the musical version of Once Were Warriors, and productions for NASDA include Lil’ Abner, Into The Woods, Urinetown, The Witches Of Eastwick, Oklahoma and Sideshow. Current projects include Cabaret at The Court Theatre and following the successful concert Broadway Broads, he is devising the musical theatre tribute concerts – Rodgers and Hammerstein, Bernstein and Sondheim with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra which he will conduct in their forthcoming season of CSO presents.