Three young Whakatāne music students have made local history by becoming the first in the area to sit, and pass, the Grade 1 London Trinity College of Music theory exam without having to travel out of town.

Scarlett Holding, 13, Paetyn Taylor, 13, and Luka Drayson, 14, recently achieved this milestone under the guidance of Whakatāne music teacher Rachel Hand, marking a significant step forward for music education in the Eastern Bay.

Until now, Eastern Bay students wanting to sit internationally recognised music exams have had to travel to Tauranga, often requiring time off school and significant commitment from families.

For Hand, who has been teaching music privately for 33 years, the achievement is one she describes as “incredibly special”.

“I’m just so proud of them for sitting the exam,” she said.

“Two of these students have only been learning music properly for about a year, which makes their success even more impressive.”

The Trinity College London exams are internationally recognised qualifications, respected worldwide for their academic rigour and musical standards.

The music teacher said global recognition was exactly why she encouraged her students to work towards them.

“These exams are known anywhere in the world,” she said.

“Students can move overseas, continue their studies, and those qualifications are still valued. It gives them real confidence and opens doors.”

Hand moved to Whakatāne around 10 years ago, seeking a quieter lifestyle after many years immersed in Auckland’s busy music scene.

“I was a flautist with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and Bach Musica,” she said.

“I was also travelling constantly between schools in Auckland, and it was becoming quite stressful.

“We decided Whakatāne would give us a much quieter life, which it has, and it’s been fantastic.”

She holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Auckland and is also a trained teacher. Though she has worked in schools for most of her career, 2026 marks a change of pace.

“This is the first year I’m not teaching in a school,” she said.

“I’m teaching privately full-time now, and it’s actually really nice to focus completely on the students here.”

Hand teaches piano, singing, flute and music theory, and recently introduced a dedicated theory class in Whakatāne, which has eight students learning how to read music, with the youngest just six years old.

“It’s wonderful to see children so young engaging with music literacy. Learning to read music properly gives them such a strong foundation.”  

This year also marks the start of a junior choir, with the aim for the choir to be singing in a four-part harmony by December’s concert.

While written Trinity exams can now be sat locally, by students eight years and over, practical exams still require travel to Tauranga. However, Hand is hopeful that may soon change.

“They’ve said that if we get enough students wanting to sit the practical exams, they may send an examiner to Whakatāne. That would be absolutely fantastic for local families.”

For now, Rachel is enjoying the success of Scarlett, Paetyn and Luka, and what it represents for the wider community.

“This shows that Whakatāne students can achieve at an international level without having to leave town. That’s something worth celebrating.”

Rachel Hand Music currently operates a waiting list.

Those interested in lessons or inquiries can contact Rachel at [email protected].