We're a performing arts school based in Tauranga, New Zealand, specializing in music and the dramatic arts. Founded in 2019 by Fletcher Oxford, Oxford Performing Arts has since been training performers of all ages and abilities to reach their full potential. Our staff teach a range of drama classes and music lessons at a variety of local schools, and take private one on one lessons out of local studios. We're passionate about the arts, experienced in our fields, and dedicated to 'building strong performers'.
Oxford Performing Arts doubles as a production company, facilitating and directing school productions, performance events, and creative entries for local competitions.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
Piano
Music
Production
Guitar & BASS
Acting Film
& Theatre
Vocals
Public
speaking
Songwriting
and
more!
OUR FOUNDER
Fletcher Oxford
Founder | Director
Senior Tutor
Fletcher first began coaching in the Performing Arts industry in 2019 with one drama class and a small handful of private lessons. Since then, he's passed on his expertise to hundreds of students, young and old, and earned an excellent reputation throughout the Bay of Plenty as a Performing Arts Coach.
Best known for his role in the Warner Brothers historical TV drama, 'Black Hands'; or the global phenomenon, The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power; Fletcher is a working actor in film, television and theatre. Since 2022, Fletcher has joined the New Zealand premiere tour of Shrek The Musical, produced by Showcase Entertainment Group; performed in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates with Broadway Entertainment Group's production of Shrek The Musical; understudied the role of Charlie Price in the New Zealand premiere tour of Kinky Boots, produced by G&T Productions; and is soon to understudy Harold Hill in another G&T Productions show, The Music Man, accompanied by the Royal New Zealand Navy Band. His other notable musical theatre shows include: Les Miserables (Marius), We Will Rock You (Galileo - Understudy), Wicked (Fiyero - Understudy), Legally Blonde (Warner), Spring Awakening (Melchior), Beauty and the Beast (Gaston), and many more.
Fletcher studied and performed at the Globe Theatre in London as one of only 24 New Zealand actors selected to join the 2018 Young Shakespeare Company. In the same year, he was awarded an 'Outstanding' scholarship in NCEA drama, placing him in the top 1% of the country and one of only 7 students in his nationwide cohort.
In 2012, Fletcher placed 5th on the second season of New Zealand's Got Talent, singing original music about his lost cat, Sushi. Since then, Fletcher has continually worked as a professional musician and songwriter. He's a confident instrumentalist, playing the guitar, piano and saxophone; and a strong vocalist, with years of classical, jazz, musical theatre and contemporary vocal training to his name.
OUR TEACHERS
Tiffany Johnston
Musical Theatre
Tiffany has over a decade of experience and training in musical theatre, with most recent credits including Glinda in Wicked (Tauranga Musical Theatre), The Revlon Girl in The Revlon Girl (16th Avenue Theatre), Maria in Love’s Labour’s Lost (Summer Shakespeare Tauranga) and Allison in First Date (Stage Right Trust). When living in London she was able to gain experience working with West End vocal coaches as a member of the West End Choir. Along with theatre, Tiffany has also dabbled in television and appeared on Shortland Street and Power Rangers.
She is a working makeup artist skilled in TV, theatre and film makeup and a trained ballet dancer. She is also a qualified primary and special education teacher and spent 6 years running theatre sports at weekend camps under the Parent to Parent charity. Her special interests include acting through song and healthy vocal technique.
Tearani Wikohika
Private Piano Lessons
Tearani Wikohika is a student in her second to last year at Tauranga Girls College, who recently achieved her Grade 7 Piano Exam with Honours. She's been teaching piano for over two years, and has really loved sharing and encouraging a love for music. Tearani has been involved in many school bands and theatre productions and likes to write songs in her free time. She also has a passion for filmmaking and placed in the International Silent Film Festival, winning "Best Female Filmmaker" at the 2022 national awards ceremony. As she continues her musical journey, Tearani hopes to be able to support and create relationships with her students, built from a shared love for music and the arts!
Amy Van Leeuwen
Tauranga Intermediate Drama
& Private Drama Lessons
Amy has loved performing since her first dance show when she was nearly 3 years old. This passion has kept her actively involved in shows on and off stage. Recent performances include That Bloody Woman (Tauranga Musical Theatre), Lucy in 13 (Tauranga Musical Theatre) and The Lady of the Lake in Monty Python's Spamalot (Wright Rohde Theatre). Her experience also includes mentoring drama students and being a part of the creative team for Grease Jr.
Amy has been awarded Distinction in her Trinity College exams for both Speech & Drama and Musical Theatre, she also had the privilege of traveling to Los Angeles as part of the She Shines On drama tour, gaining exposure to various workshops for theatre and film acting. These experiences have greatly benefited her personal development as an actor which she is looking to continue to build on into the future.
Ansh Dhot
Private Vocal Lessons
Ansh is a 16 year old classically trained singer who is thrilled to be taking on such an engaging role as a singing tutor. Singing has been a part of Ansh’s life since the very first time she watched the film ‘Barbie Princess and the Popstar’ at age 5! Today she is a member of the National Academy choir and her school choir Luminosa Armonia Chorale. Ansh has been involved in various music theater productions in Tauranga these past few years such as Newsies JR, Suessical Kids and Frozen JR as the Musical Director, and Addams Family as Wednesday Addams. She says “to learn through teaching is an incredibly exciting opportunity!”
Ethan Shiriwastow
Private Guitar & Bass Lessons
Ethan has been playing and performing music for many years now, starting off with piano at the age of 10 and branching out into the guitar and bass during his college years. Always striving to perfect his craft, Ethan’s passion for music and live performance has him involved in various realms of the performing arts world. With years of musical theatre under his belt and many more years performing in bands of a variety of genres, Ethan is very excited to help develop the fundamentals and fluidity of his students' musicianship and live performance skills.
