When Liz Sneyd wanted to teach classical music to children in Porirua East she was told it was a waste of time.
That was five years ago and the Virtuoso String Orchestra is going strong and the musicians are on their way to Whanganui.
Ms Sneyd and her husband, Craig Utting, hold the firm belief that music education has far-reaching impacts, and should be accessible for all.
"We wanted children in low decile schools to have the same musical opportunities as other children," she says.
"The links between learning a musical instrument, personal growth, mental and physical wellbeing, and academic success have been well established."