Kirsten has been a professional musician and teacher of music for over 20 years. In 2000 she was awarded a scholarship to the Royal Schools of Music in London   where she studied both jazz and classical piano.

Kirsten MacKenzie holds a BMus (Hons) in jazz piano performance and research, a BA in music history and analysis, a Diploma from the Royal Schools and Trinity College, a

Diploma in teaching, and is an Associate of the Institute of Registered Music Teachers.

Working as a   freelance pianist who specialises in backing singers has seen her perfoming concerts around New Zealand with Malcolm McNeill, Louise Gibbs (London), Viva Sahn and Ann Pacey, with whom she recently performed in New Plymouth, opening for Michael Crawford.

She coaches up and coming jazz singers at the New Zealand School of Music's Academy and the NZSM itself while   also accompanying   singers at Toi Whaakari, the NZ Drama School.