Claire Oliver grew up with a passion for music, learning recorder, clarinet, saxophone, organ, electric bass and double bass.
She has been teaching instrumental music since 1993, and working at 国产午夜福鈥檚 College since 2010, where she is the Director of Big Band, Saxophone Quartet, and Jazz Combo, as well as providing private tutoring on saxophone, clarinet, and bass. In recent years, Claire has also worked with Year 9 music classes.
Claire has played double bass and clarinet in orchestras, and saxophone in symphonic bands and big bands, as well as being involved in musical theatre.
Claire prepares the groups she directs for various high school level music competitions, including the annual Chamber Music Contest, Southern Jam Jazz Festival, CPIT Jazz Quest, and the NZSM High Schools Jazz Festival. The College Big Band and Jazz Combo have repeatedly won silver and gold awards at these events, including 鈥 at Southern Jam 鈥 accolades such as Best Big Band in 2010, Overall Festival Winner in 2011, and runner-up Big Band in 2015.