Christchurch Folk Music Club

Elizabeth’s enthusiasm and aptitude for music led to her first music lessons when she was very little but after a few lessons her music teacher suggested she learn the alphabet first. She started learning music again a little later and continued to do so until her mid twenties, teaching herself chords and modern music. As a teenager she learned classical guitar, clarinet and the french horn but the piano and singing have always been her forte.

After completing her degree in music at University of Canterbury, Elizabeth earned a post-graduate degree at Teachers’ College and taught music in a number of high schools including an HOD position at the Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School. She was also a tutor and Programme Leader at the Jazz School (Ara Institute of Canterbury).

‘Liz Braggins’ has been a familiar name on the Christchurch music scene.

Her highly original versions of well-known songs are an eclectic mix of genres highlighting her background in most musical styles.

Elizabeth is also known internationally for her piano playing, singing and composition. Her self-titled album which was produced by Nigel Stone and Malcolm McNeill was a showcase of Christchurch and Wellington musicians which went on to become a finalist in the New Zealand Music Awards. Other albums include an album with Graham Wardrop, two albums with Janice Gray an album with her vocal trio group ‘Volare’ and an album with her trio “Braggins, Wardrop and Dunne”. She is currently completing a second solo album that was recorded on the Steinway piano at St Margaret’s College in the Charles Luney Auditorium.

Her recordings feature frequently on National Radio and she has appeared at many live events including the Christchurch International Jazz Festival, the Christchurch Arts Festival, the Waipara Wine and Food Celebration, the Wanganui Arts Festival and Toast Martinborough. Elizabeth has worked alongside some of New Zealand’s greatest musicians such as Nathan Haines, Caitlyn Smith, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, The Nairobi Trio, Ali Harper, The Warratahs, Beaver, Suzanne Lynch, Murray Wood, Tom Rainey, Malcolm McNeill, Stu Buchanan, Hayley Westernra, Don McGlashan, Midge Marsden and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

Elizabeth (or ‘Liz’ or ‘Lizzie’ or ‘MzLz’ ) now mainly performs nationally and works from home recording, writing and arranging songs. She also teaches piano, vocals, performance and music theory from her studio three afternoons a week.

After the successful concerts at the folk club in the recent past with Suzanne Lynch, Graham Wardrop and John Wright this concert will be a welcome return of Liz on her own singing and playing the songs that she loves to play solo.