If the fact that EXCEL is the only institution to offer selected first year graduates the opportunity to gain invaluable performance experience in a nationwide tour isn’t enough, or that we have:

• Outstanding tutors who are all industry professionals
• One on one tuition for all music and vocal majors
• A truly practical course emphasising performance
• A limited intake to ensure maximum learning environment and achievement
• NZQA accreditation for full student loans and allowances

…. then just hear what successful EXCEL graduates have to say about why they chose to study at EXCEL…

Vince Harder Lead role of Simba in Australia’s ‘The Lion King’ musical and currently No.1 on the New Zealand Music Charts featuring on P-Moneys hit single ‘Everything’.  Vince credits being a part of the second year touring team as the ‘chance of a lifetime’.  “Not many theatre or performing companies accept people with as little experience and knowledge as I had… Tutors worked with me at my level, giving me deeper understanding of my talents and inspired a greater passion for music”. Vince Harder

Naina & Vii Tupai Adeaze
Both the chart topping brothers Naina and Vii Tupai attended EXCEL and were members of the second year tour team.  Of their time at EXCEL Naina says “Musically we gained heaps from learning different singing techniques we never would have known if we hadn’t gone to EXCEL… Learning all of that is why we’re still able to do what we can with our voices”



Ben Lummis First N.Z. Idol Winner
Ben became a nationally recognised figure when he won the very first NZ Idol competition and went on to reach No. 1 on the charts with his single ‘They Can’t Take That Away’.  Ben was also a graduate of EXCEL and played the lead role in the tour team’s musical production ‘Forgive and Forget’.  “EXCEL had a great influence on my singing and performance skills… my tutor Jeff Todd had a huge part to play in my life”.


Dziah/Prestige Dance Crew Five members
After completing EXCEL, five students developed the well known dance crew Dziah and have wowed the Hip Hop scene in New Zealand and on an international level at the World Hip Hop Championships gaining gold, silver and bronze medals.  Under the new name Prestige, they once again impressed the World Hip Hop Championship judges to gain 4th place in the Adult Section this year.

Adrian Robertson Front man for Detour 180
When Adrian completed his tour year with EXCEL, he and four other graduates of EXCEL formed the band Detour 180.  The rise of the band has been impressive with two albums released selling over 30,000 copies.  The band is signed to Parachute Records in New Zealand and Slanted Records in the US.  They are a regular on the Main stage at Parachute Festival and after touring the US extensively, the band moved for several years to the US to continue touring.  During that time they have played with big name bands Skillet, Day of Fire, and Jars of Clay.  “I can’t tell you how many times we have arrived at a show and seen the training we received at EXCEL kick in automatically.  It really gave us a big ‘heads-up’ as to what we could expect in the professional world of music”.  Adrian Robertson

Marc Hamilton Calling Elijah
After graduating from EXCEL and touring with the second year tour team, Marc spent four years singing and playing guitar for the rock band Mozelee who received airplay on major NZ rock stations.  Their two music videos also received substantial airtime on C4 and Juice TV.  Recently Marc formed a new band with former EXCEL graduate AndyD ‘Calling Elijah’, which is making a significant impact on the New Zealand Christian music scene.  “The school has so much to offer.  It is a place where people excel in their musical talents but it also provided me with a Christian foundation, which is so important yet lacking in most institutions”.

Bobby Paul and Jared Hemopo Limit Break Dance Crew
These two EXCEL students are currently members of the dance crew Limit Break who recently gained 10th place at the World Hip Hop Championships this year in the Varsity section.  Expect to hear more from this talented dance crew.

Gavin Kerr Drummer for Wash
After completing a second year touring with EXCEL, Gavin joined the band Wash who in 2002 signed directly with Hydrogen Records from New York.  The first single from their debut album ‘Feel the Sun’ became the ‘Summer Anthem’ of summer 02/03 and received airplay on major New Zealand radio stations Channel Z, The Rock, The Edge and Life FM.  Regulars to the Big Day Out will be familiar with Wash who performed three years in a row and of course performed on the Main stage at Parachute Festival.  Wash has supported bands such as Linkin Park, Jebadiah and Tadpole.  Of his time at EXCEL Gavin said “It was a good time to develop myself personally and technically before going out on the road.  EXCEL has legendary tutors for both acoustic and electronic drums.  Just when I thought I couldn’t get any better at my talent, EXCEL proved me wrong!  The one-on-one interaction with the tutor was great and I gained so much from that”.

Neville Smith Actor
You may recognise Neville from the many TV commercials he has featured in and from the lead roles he gained in the series ‘Street Legal’ and ‘Secret New Zealand’.  Neville has also done promos and been involved in many theatre productions since graduating from EXCEL as a Drama Major and touring as an actor with the tour team.  “The tutors were excellent and I believe my time there (EXCEL) rekindled not only a desire to perform, but also a passion for my Christian faith”. Neville Smith