Michael Kourkov specializes in saxophone, clarinet, flute, jazz improvisation and composition.

Michael's focus when teaching a student is to cultivate a passion for the instrument and music as a whole. All lessons taught are planned to be practical and fun so that you want to keep doing practicing every day and there is a clear outcome for every lesson. Michael also strongly believes that a positive learning environment is essential to keeping a growth mindset when learning anything new. Empathy is the most important quality of a teacher. This allows Michael to stay in touch with what it is like to learn a new instrument. Michael has definitely been there! He also believe that learning music is a life long process that he regularly practices! Whether learning a new instrument, a new idea in music theory or composing a new piece of music Michael familiar with the feeling of learning something new.

Michael has been studying the saxophone, and more broading music for the last 20 years of his life. Michael has studied with many of the greatest musician around the world including Dick Oatts (Manhatten School of Music), Roger Manins (University of Auckland) and Joris Roelofs (Conservatorium van Amsterdam). Michael completed a bachelor of Jazz performance at The University of Auckland and has performed with House of Shem, Hipstamatics and Olivier Holland's Jazz Attack just to name a few. Michael spent two years working in the cruise ship industry where he performed on the saxophone, clarinet and flute to audiences of over 1000 on a weekly basis.

Michael has been teaching music since 2013 in both large variety of schools around Auckland and Sydney and in his own studio. He has also spent a considerable amount of time conducting with School Bands Australia.

Thank you for visiting my profile and I look forward to chatting with you about accelerating your learning!