Eliette Roslin has been passionate about music for as long as she can remember – writing songs from the age of nine. Today, she’s the founder and managing director of Eliette’s Music Academy (EMA), a contemporary music school that’s grown into a thriving hub of creativity, confidence, and community.

“I created EMA to build a vibrant, supportive community where students of all ages can explore and grow their musical talents – from as young as 2yrs old!” says Eliette. “We take a play-based, contemporary approach to music education, with a strong focus on building confidence and encouraging creativity in every student.”

EMA now includes a team of more than 45 talented instructors and runs regular events like open mic nights and end-of-year concerts to give students the chance to perform and shine. The academy is also home to The Green Room Charitable Trust – “a safe, welcoming space for people to express themselves through music and find connection.”

A global journey to find her sound
After completing Year 13, Eliette took a gap year in Amsterdam. Then, she moved to Sydney to study at the Australian Institute of Music, where she completed a Bachelor of Performing Arts. “Immersing myself in the industry and all the opportunities I had to make music, collaborate and perform.”

After graduating, she spent a year teaching, gigging and waitressing. “As I tried to decide on what the best next step might be, I fell in love with the idea of opening a music academy. I always had a passion for teaching but wanted to do more and build a community that nurtured and inspired the next generation of musicians. That’s when I decided to open Eliette’s Music Academy and move home to Auckland.”

Laying the foundation at ASHS
As a foundation pupil of ASHS, Eliette remembers some unique early experiences which ākonga of today wouldn’t have – “My most memorable times were probably in our prefab building at the back of AJHS.”

But it was the school’s progressive learning structure that truly left its mark. “Impact Project Days really helped me to try different career paths and to also really take ownership of my learning. I really enjoyed the learning environment at ASHS and the support I was given behind my goals.”

Real-world skills with real impact
Eliette credits ASHS’s approach with preparing her to take initiative and lead confidently. “Impact Project Days provided a valuable opportunity for me to design and implement community-focused projects that I was genuinely passionate about. The process – developing a concept, presenting a proposal, and executing the plan – mirrored real-world project management and helped me build practical skills that translated directly into university and the workforce.”

“I found that many of my peers hadn’t had similar experiences and often lacked confidence or independence when it came to initiating and managing their own work. Having already developed these capabilities gave me a distinct advantage and a greater sense of readiness for the challenges ahead.”

 

The people behind the passion
“Tim Smith, my music teacher, was a significant source of inspiration and support in my learning journey. He consistently challenged me to grow while also being honest and direct – offering constructive feedback that I came to deeply respect.”

She also reflects fondly on the broader school culture. “One of the things I valued most about my experience at ASHS was the way teachers engaged with us as young adults. That mutual respect created a collaborative learning environment where I felt empowered and motivated to contribute and take ownership of my education.”

Proud to be ASHS alumni
Now at the helm of a flourishing music academy and charitable trust, Eliette is proud to reflect on where it all began. “I’m so proud to be an alumni of ASHS and I think it’s an amazing environment for young people to learn, grow and develop in.”

 

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