For me music became a big part of life from an early age. We used to watch a bit of TV as a family, and when I was around the age of five or six, I started to putting dads big old leather headphones on, and sit down behind the couch. I’d listen to guitarists like Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, and explore my dad’s elaborate classical collection, over and over, for hours on end, oblivious to what was on the TV. My interest was obvious to mum and dad, and so they sought out the best they could find to teach me guitar.

I’m thankful to have had seven years of private lessons with legendary Feilding guitar tutor Graham Lovejoy, he gave me a foundation in many styles, and cultivated the ability to overcome boundaries, setting my up for a lifetime of rewarding study. 

During high school years I taught a few students, and would regularly help with aural skill development in the classroom. 

In my 20s I was in a hard rock band called Stonehurst, we ticked a lot off the bucket list; recording in Neil Finn’s studio, and performing for audience’s all around New Zealand. Gaining value performance experience, and life experience too!

During this period my love for classical music was a private burning passion, remembering performances that my dad had shown me in my childhood, of virtouso solo instrumentalist, like Itzhak Perlman, James Galway, & Van Cliburn. Studying their technical command and how that allowed them emotional transparency, sharing masterfully crafted interpretations.

I moved with my wife to be and got married in Dunedin. Here I am immersed in the study of my life long love of music. I am academically independant, affording me freedom of movement through the literature, and the ability to dive deeper, tapping into multiple academic portals simultaneously. 

We live in a truly privileged time, with access to resources, and communication throughout the world simpler and more efficient than it ever has been.

In recent years I have performed throughout New Zealand, in a glamorous parlour style which is well suited to the guitar, sharing with my audience an intimacy and transparency which enriches my life immeasurably.

Despite leading a busy lifestyle with my wife and son, everyday I look forward to time on my guitar, time fades away and often I’m shocked at how late it has become, sometimes it’s 1-2am in the morning. I have been given a gift, and it is my duty to polish it, to make it shine, so that other people may enjoy it and benefit from it in the same ways I do.