About Excel Ministries Schl of Performing Arts
Excel Ministries Schl of Performing Arts (trading as EXCEL School of Performing Arts) is a Christian-based tertiary institution founded in 1994 by Jeff Todd, who had a background with the NZ Opera company and directing YOne. The school was established to train young performing artists while providing a framework of purpose, character development, and Christian values.
The school operates on a practical, performance-based model with small class sizes and individualised tuition. From 2018, EXCEL began offering NZQA-approved Level 4 New Zealand Certificates, followed by Level 5 New Zealand Diplomas from 2019. These qualifications are nationally recognised and delivered by one of a small number of tertiary providers offering performing arts qualifications at these levels.
Qualifications and Programmes
Excel Ministries Schl of Performing Arts offers six full-time programmes running February to November, split across two qualification levels. All programmes carry a credit value of 120.
The Level 4 Certificate programmes are:
- New Zealand Certificate in Dance — Level 4 — full time, Feb–Nov, 120 credits
- New Zealand Certificate in Drama — Level 4 — full time, Feb–Nov, 120 credits
- New Zealand Certificate in Music — Level 4 — full time, Feb–Nov, 120 credits
The Level 5 Diploma programmes are:
- New Zealand Diploma in Dance — Level 5 — full time, Feb–Nov, 120 credits
- New Zealand Diploma in Drama — Level 5 — full time, Feb–Nov, 120 credits
- New Zealand Diploma in Music — Level 5 — full time, Feb–Nov, 120 credits
The Level 5 Diploma year is limited to 30 places and includes a touring component in which students perform at multiple venues over several weeks.
Admissions and Application Process
Applications to Excel Ministries School of Performing Arts are submitted via an online application form. The school offers places in music, dance, and drama programmes. After submitting the form, applicants must complete an audition — either in person or by video.
Video audition requirements
Video auditions must not exceed 15 minutes in total and must include:
- Two pieces in contrasting styles for the chosen major subject, each approximately two minutes long
- One piece of approximately two minutes for any chosen minor subject
- A spoken self-introduction of at least two minutes in English, covering relevant experience
Applicants must also submit a recent photograph and a completed audition form alongside the video. The minimum entry age is 18. Video auditions are sent to info@excel.ac.nz.
An audition panel assesses each applicant on performance ability and English language proficiency. English proficiency must meet NZQA criteria for the relevant level of study — for example, IELTS 5.5 for a Level 4 Certificate. Applicants are notified of the outcome by mail or email.
Successful applicants receive a formal offer letter stating the course name, minimum completion time, fee amount, and confirmation that the provider meets New Zealand's requirements for the relevant student category.
Subject area: Dance/Drama
The Ministry of Education groups Excel Ministries Schl of Performing Arts under Dance/Drama — the broad field of education and training it's classified under in the official tertiary directory.
Dance/DramaAddress
Where Excel Ministries Schl of Performing Arts is based, taken directly from the Ministry of Education's own address record for this provider.
- Street20 Portage Road
- SuburbNew Lynn
- CityAuckland
- Postcode640
- Territorial authorityAuckland - Whau
- RegionAuckland Region
No coordinates are published for tertiary providers in this dataset, so no map is shown here.
Contact Excel Ministries Schl of Performing Arts
Find the published contact details for Excel Ministries Schl of Performing Arts, including its phone number, website and other available contact information.
- Phone0274994165
- Emailinfo@excel.ac.nz
- Fax09-8277328
- Websitewww.excel.ac.nz
Contact details combine official Ministry of Education records with information published on Excel Ministries Schl of Performing Arts's own website, reviewed by the KuraData team on 15 September 2026.
Other Dance/Drama providers
Explore other New Zealand private training establishments listed under the same Dance/Drama subject area as Excel Ministries Schl of Performing Arts, including providers in different locations.
Fees
The following fees apply for 2026. Both domestic qualifications carry the same total fee, broken down into a tuition fee and a compulsory student services fee.
| Programme | Tuition Fee (incl GST) | Compulsory Student Services Fee (incl GST) | Total (incl GST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 4 Certificate | $8,512 | $638 | $9,150 |
| Level 5 Diploma | $8,512 | $638 | $9,150 |
A non-refundable commitment and administration fee of $150 (incl GST) is payable on acceptance of an offered place, in addition to the tuition fees above. No audition fee is charged.
The international student fee for 2026 is $18,300 (incl GST).
Eligible students may apply for a student loan through StudyLink to cover course fees and living costs. New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency is required for eligibility. Under the government's Fees Free scheme, eligible students may receive a refund of their final year of tuition fees from IRD after passing their qualification.
Student Support Services
Excel Ministries Schl of Performing Arts provides the following student support services:
- Counselling: A trained counsellor is available at no cost to students. Sessions can be booked individually, and more than one session may be arranged subject to availability.
Campus Facilities
Excel Ministries Schl of Performing Arts lists the following campus facilities:
- Dance Studio
- 5 Vocal rooms
- Drum room
- Guitar room
- Bass room
- Piano room
- 2 Music studios
- Computer Lab
- 2 Lecture rooms
- Study room
- Auditorium
Curated by the KuraData team from Excel Ministries Schl of Performing Arts's own website, reviewed 15 September 2026.
Data source
- SourceTertiary Providers Directory — Ministry of Education
- Ministry data last checked6 September 2026
- AI-assisted content based onExcel Ministries Schl of Performing Arts's official website — reviewed by KuraData 15 September 2026