Ben Peacocke

Ben Peacocke is an experienced art educator with over 30 years of teaching experience across New Zealand, Australia, and Asia, including senior teaching roles in leading international schools in Beijing, Brunei, and Hong Kong. He brings a depth of knowledge, creativity, and calm leadership to the Academy of Dance Taranaki Art Programme.

Ben specialises in developing strong foundational art skills while nurturing creativity, curiosity, and confidence in young artists. His teaching spans a wide range of disciplines including drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media, design, and conceptual development, with an emphasis on process, problem-solving, and personal expression.

Having worked extensively within international curricula, Ben is skilled at supporting students of all abilities, from beginners discovering art for the first time through to students developing portfolios and advanced creative thinking. He believes art education plays a vital role in building resilience, focus, and self-belief, and his classes are structured to be both highly engaging and technically sound.

Ben’s teaching philosophy centres on creating a safe, encouraging environment where students feel confident to experiment, take creative risks, and develop their own artistic voice. He values individuality and ensures each student is supported to grow at their own pace while being gently challenged to extend their skills.

As co-owner of Academy of Dance Taranaki, Ben is passionate about expanding the studio’s creative offerings beyond movement and into the visual arts, providing students with a well-rounded, high-quality arts education that fosters imagination, discipline, and lifelong creative confidence.