Brand new to the Uptown community is Eliette’s Music Academy. A playing-based school, the Academy specialises in applying musical skill to a group setting and encouraging the creation of original music.

With 14 purpose-built, individually sound-proofed practice rooms, the music academy sits above The Persian Rug Gallery on the corner of Khyber Pass and Auburn Street. In just 6 years, their Albany location has grown to be teaching an impressive 450 students, ranging in genres from classical and jazz, to rock and pop.

At the helm of the Uptown location is Nick Douch. A seasoned professional musician and drummer for 10 years in the successful kiwi rock band Ekko Park, Nick has played hundreds of shows throughout Australasia, the UK and Europe. His love of supporting young musicians in their own musical journeys brought him to Eliette’s Music Academy, where he is now a business partner with Eliette (Founder), and Director of the new Uptown campus.

As well as teaching all ages at their two locations, Eliette and Nick recognise the value of music in supporting young people and their mental health, which is why the Green Room Charitable Trust has been established. Taking the programme direct to schools across Auckland, the programme gives youth struggling with anxiety, depression and bullying the opportunity to express themselves through music.

When it came to choosing a location for the second site of the Academy, Uptown was the perfect spot.

“We wanted to be somewhere central, close to schools and to public transport”, explained Nick. “Having looked at buildings for a couple of months, we were blown away when we found this space. The rooms were set, all we needed to do was sound proof, add our colour and fill the rooms with instruments. We are stoked to be here!”

A finalist for Excellence in Community Contribution 2021 at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards, Eliette’s Music Academy is set to bring an amplified community feel to the Uptown neighbourhood. 

Website: www.eliettesmusicacademy.com
Instagram: @eliettes_music_academy
Email: grafton@eliettesmusicacademy.com
Address: 181 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023