Parnell Community Centre Tutor profiles

Artistry of Flowers - Tomoko Hirano

Tomoko has over 35 years' of floristry experience, including running her own floristry business, HanaClub NZ. Tomoko also gained a 4th grade teaching qualification for Ikebana (Japanese floral arranging) in 2010 from the Sogetsu School.

Students completing Tomoko's course will learn basic floral arts and crafts skills, develop creative ideas using flowers and learn cross culture floral arts.

Bollywood Dance - Uma Maheshwari

Uma has learnt the Classical Dance form, putting it
to use in choreographing and performing Bollywood dances for several organizations for their cultural events e.g. Auckland City Council’s Diwali events as well as fashion shows.

Participants will develop an awareness of the different genres of Bollywood dance and gain the confidence and skills required to choreograph a Bollywood dance for themselves.

Contemporary Garden Design - Gill Warren

Known locally as the Parnell Farmers' Market Manager, Gill has over 15 years of landscape design practice as well as 30 years of interior design experience in New Zealand and overseas. Gill also has a Diploma in Landscape Design from Unitec.

Participants will develop an ability to make design decisions for their gardens, an understanding of what makes a successful garden as well as knowing how to apply that to their own situation.

Dancercise for 50+ - Rita Farmer

Rita has spent time in the UK training with with the Keep Fit Association, and has focused on Mature Mover classes for Further Education and Corporate bodies

Rita says after joining this class, your co-ordination and energy will increase as well as your posture.
You will have lots of fun in a friendly environment, meet new people and feel good about yourself.

ESOL, Beginner Level - Lucy Meek

Lucy has over 20 years' experience teaching English in New Zealand and overseas, together with an RSA certificate (English language teaching qualification). Lucy has always been involved with Community Education and loves teaching motivated adult learners.

Students will gain the confidence to communicate in English in everyday situations.

ESOL, Post Beginner Level - Andrew Mouat

Andrew has been teaching English to non-native speakers for over 30 years. He has taught in Mexico (where he lived for 24 years), and California where he was studying. After returning to New Zealand, he has taught ESOL at all levels, as well as IELTS, SAT and essay writing.

Students will build on their learnings from Beginner classes, by learning more words and phrases and practising pronunciation.

ESOL, Saturday Speaking - Angeline Seeto

Angeline has a TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate to go along with her three years of experience in teaching English to international students.

Students will enjoy this relaxed speaking, listening, vocabulary and pronunciation class, all the while improving their conversation and confidence in English.

Hatha Vinyasa Yoga - Angela Gervan

Angela completed her Vinyasa Teacher Training in Beijing and her advanced Hatha Yoga Teacher training in Vancouver and has since assisted world renowned yoga teacher, Donna Farhi.

Participants will explore the principals of movement and breath in a slow and mindful way, allowing you
to connect with your breath and release tension revealing a sense of ease, centering and calmness within.

Hatha Yoga - Lynn Oram

Lynn has been practicing yoga since 1983, trained with the NZ International Yoga Teachers Association  in 1999-2000, and has been instructing yoga at Parnell and other community centres in the Eastern Bays area for over twelve years.

In Lynn's classes, participants will learn techniques for relaxation and de-stressing through focus on proper breathing, stretching, and strengthening.

Internet and Computing for Seniors - Shelagh Coop

Married for years to a Systems Analyst Programmer, there was never any hope that Shelagh wouldn’t be involved at some point in computers. Shelagh has also taught for many courses at Senior Net and U3A.

Shelagh aims to give all participants the confidence to tackle some of the modern computing challenges that face seniors. You will learn more about the
icons and commands and feel a sense of security
in buying items online or even banking online.

Introduction to Tai Chi - Dr Marcus Henning

I have been learning Taiji for 20 years. My area of specialization is connected with the Yang forms, especially those attributed to the Chen Man Ching and Huang Sheng-Shyan systems. My focus is on
the meditation and health benefits of Taiji that are linked to the process of learning these forms.

Participants can expect to understand and apply the principles of Taiji to a set of Qi Qong and relaxation exercises, learn some fundamental exercises that will have benefits in the areas of physical and psychological well-being and be able to demonstrate and practice the Qi Qong and relaxation exercises.

Introduction to Meditation - Helen Bennett

Helen has been a meditation instructor for 12 years, alongside her 15 years of professional work as a mediator and counselor.

Participants will come away with a secular and mindfulness based meditation technique, a basic understanding of meditation and its benefits in our everyday lives as well as guidance and suggestions for home practice.

Italian, Beginners and Post Beginners - Luisa Antonello

Luisa has a Degree in  Foreign Languages from the University of Milan.

Italian Beginners students will learn the basics of the language that will allow the students to communicate while travelling in Italy

Italian, Inspirations - Giuseppe Martegani

Giuseppe Martegani was born in a small town in Italy, near Como. As well as teaching Italian, Giuseppe enjoys taking people on virtual tours of Italy, talking about the language, arts and food, and the cultural heritage of his homeland.

Participants will be inspired to visit the secret (and not so secret) spots in Italy. Discuss regional differences in food and wine and learn about the Italian culture, heritage and lifestyle. Course taught in English with some Italian keywords to get the juices flowing.

New Zealand Sign Language - Victoria Skorikova

I am Deaf, young woman and I have great passion in teaching NZSL. With my great experience of 8 years and natural skills in teaching NZSL, I am able to give students valuable activities and tips on how to understand the depth of NZSL grammatical rules, remember vocabulary better and to improve fluency.

Become confident with using New Zealand Sign Language and be able to communicate with Deaf
and hearing impaired people. and Understand
about Deaf community and appreciate the aspects
of Deaf Culture i.e. Deaf jokes, customs, values, etc.

Nordic Walking - June Stevenson

June is an International Nordic Walking Federation (INWA) Coach, an (INWA) New Zealand National Nordic Walking Coach and a REP (Register of Exercise Professionals) registered Personal Trainer.

At the completion of the course, the participants will be able to demonstrate the correct basic steps of the classic Nordic Walking technique, as well as understanding how the application of these steps will improve their posture and general fitness.

Pilates - Rosie Wall

Rosie is an experienced musculo-skeletal physiotherapist and pilates instructor from the Parnell Physiotherapy Clinic. Her sound sports and spinal knowledge allows her to design a class to meet all individual needs, resulting in good muscle control , elasticity, and postural balance.

Rosie states “ muscle elasticity and core strength are the absolute answer to injury repair and prevention, as well as performance improvement for all sports".

Soft Stone Sculpture - Gillian Elmslie

Gillian has many years experience in working with composite stone, having sold work from the age of 24 in exhibitions at the Pumphouse, Takapuna and in shops and galleries all over the North Island. She began to teach as a way to help others discover the pleasure of working with this medium.

First-time students and experienced artists alike will find the texture of the medium satisfying as ideas can be quickly realised and modified.

Spanish Beginner and Post-Beginner - Rosario Delgado

Rosario is originally from Peru and has been has been in New Zealand for five years.  She has been teaching Spanish (private tuition and small group) at all levels and all age for four years.  She has strong competence in teaching Spanish for travel and business.

Travel Writing - Susan Buckland

Susan Buckland's articles and photographs are published in New Zealand and overseas newspapers and magazines. The award winning journalist specialises in travel and human interest stories.

She has won Cathay Pacific Travel writing awards and twice won the Qantas Media Awards Best Travel Column award for best article about a journey and best newspaper travel story. She is a former travel columnist for New Zealand’s largest newspapers, the Sunday Star Times and the NZ Herald, Susan and has written and presented radio and television travel shows during her 35 year career in journalism.

Susan has tutored budding travel writers at Parnell Community Centre for eight years.