Artists Info
Our Live Performance
Daniel Hitchens
Biography
Daniel Hitchens is a musician who has a stable and strong position in the New Zealand Music scene. His diverse musical abilities allow him to maintain a step ahead of other musicians in the scene as he performs as a member of many ensembles, ranging from pop groups, to his own musical projects and jazz ensembles. His career began at the age six when he began playing guitar. From this time Daniel adopted disciplined practice routines which allowed him to excel in his musical abilities and knowledge. Playing guitar in a local church and in local country bands from the age 7 gave him an early start to live performance. During high school Daniel excelled when he accepted the challenge of leading his own bands and formed projects for a range of events and competitions. They would come to be a regular feature in various local events. Daniel has travelled far and wide playing guitar in a range of different settings from music festivals in New Zealand to performing in Hollywood with NZ singer Stevie Tonks. After graduating from high school Daniel went on to teach music professionally in and around the Canterbury area for several years. With a growing interest in jazz, he then joined CPIT Jazz School to further his musical studies, sharpen his technique and broaden his musical tastes. While at CPIT Jazz School, Daniel formed a number of musical projects, including the covers band, “Sammy Jay and the Cucumbers”, as well as “The Madras Jazz Quartet”. These bands quickly gained success in the local entertainment scene and regularly play around New Zealand. As well as this, Daniel performs regularly as a session player for singers and groups around the country on a regular basis.
Located in Christchurch, New Zealand, Daniel Hitchens Music provides a modern approach to learning music with allows you to learn the fundamentals of music while focusing on what YOU want to play. Daniel has over 8 years of experience teaching all genres of guitar, drums, bass and ukulele. Many of the lessons are conducted in local schools around Canterbury, as well as a modern studio located on Cashel Street in the Christchurch CBD.
Our Live Performance
Alan Banfield
Biography
Alan has been jamming as both a soloist and alongside avid musicians for the last 18 years. From busking on the streets with his guitar in early years, to playing in bands and arranged group pieces.
Alan started his musical journey at the age of 9 as a guitar player, but shortly after, developed an interest for drums and percussion. His guitar will always be the instrument sitting in the room calling for his attention, however drumming dominated his time and practice schedule. His interest quickly turned into a burning passion for rhythm, creativity and uniqueness which has carried on growing into his adult years. With his wife and two daughters, the role of a father lead him into teaching drums to children. His love and legacy for his own children, opened him up to the values of sharing and teaching, hence pursuing a music tutoring role. Alan is convinced that music is a life-long love and is committed to hard practice, study, and passing on the knowledge and immense joy from learning an instrument.
Our Live Performance
Finley Passmore
Biography
Finley Passmore is a Christchurch musician who is actively gigging and teaching around the city. He plays the drums in various bands and performs around Christchurch frequently. Picking up the drums during primary school, Finley quickly developed an interest in music and spent his high school years playing in as many bands as he could. Finley also has a number of years experience on other instruments such as the guitar, piano and tuba. He has since discovered his passion for teaching and passing on the joy of learning the drums. Finley completed his Bachelor of Musical Arts at Ara in 2019, and is looking forward to teaching and performing as much as possible in 2020!
Our Live Performance
Phil Parkes
Biography
Phil Parkes has been a part of the Christchurch music scene since 2012, playing guitar and bass for several bands as well as releasing and gigging songs under his own name. With a bachelor of music from vision college and several years of teaching experience, Phil currently splits his time between coordinating the bands of two local Churches (running rehearsals, coaching musos and singers through live performances every week and mentoring young musicians) and teaching guitar and ukulele for us at Paparoa Street School. Phil’s passion for music and seeing the next generation discover a love for their instrument continues at home with his own two daughters and talented pianist wife. Phil will strive to get the best out of his students, eager to pass on what he loves about music to anyone willing to work hard and chase their dream.
Our Live Performance
Tyler Robbins
Biography
Tyler Robbins is a working musician and tutor from Christchurch, NZ. In 2018, Tyler completed a Bachelor of Musical Arts at ARA Institute where he majored in performance Piano and Composition. Tyler has also been playing Guitar for 14 years, Drums/Percussion for 6 years, Ukulele for 3 years and Flute for 3 years. As a working musician, Tyler has had a lot of success in the NZ music industry, playing alongside well known musicians in a wide variety of musical projects. Tyler is the drummer and co-composer for New Zealand band Horizone as well as a session keyboard/synth player for The Settlers. Tyler is an exceptional tutor in Drums, Percussion, Guitar, Ukulele and Flute and is a true asset to the Monster Music family!
Our Live Performance
Jayden Bowley
Biography
Jayden first picked up the guitar at the age of 15, and has been on his musical journey ever since. After a few years of focused learning and playing, he went on to study a Bachelor of Musical Arts at the Christchurch Jazz School. Since then, Jayden went on to pursue music as his career, performing in multiple bands at a large spread of venues across New Zealand, before jumping the ditch over to Melbourne to continue his journey. The move opened up a world of opportunity for Jayden, falling into cruise ship band work and a variation of other ongoing musical projects. Coinciding with the musician lifestyle, Jayden has found a love in passing his knowledge and skills onto a large array of students of all ages. He has a total of 7 years teaching experience under his belt, with 4 of those years being on a full time basis. He thrives on helping others to achieve their musical goals and helping them enjoy music as much as he does.
Our Live Performance
Liam Dodge
Biography
Liam Dodge is a multi-instrumental musician from Christchurch, NZ. First starting on the drums when he was 9, he picked up guitar a few years later and quickly gained performance experience through church and school bands. Now at the age of 23, he has since completed a Bachelor of Music Arts at ARA Institute, toured around the country and begun tutoring music. Liam also has a particular interest in recording music from home, and is constantly writing and improving his production skills. With his laidback personality and years of experience working with kids, Liam is a fun tutor to learn from.
Our Live Performance
Robert Daglish
Biography
Rob has been playing drums for 18 years, bass for 12 years and guitar for 11 years. After completing his guitar major in Jazz performance at Ara Musical Arts, he taught guitar, drums and bass professionally and played guitar in a wedding band every weekend. Whilst content with his work, after 2 years, he sought a more hands-on musical experience and decided to move to to Melbourne, Australia; One of the cultural capitals of the world. In Australia, he taught bass and guitar privately whilst taking part in mentorship with some of Melbournes best musicians and producers, developing his own unique style, and becoming a diverse player able to traverse most musical situations. After spending two years immersed in the Melbourne scene, Rob accepted a contract playing bass guitar on a luxury cruise ship. During this time, Rob played a diverse range of daily shows before Covid-19 stopped the world and forced him to return home to Christchurch. Rob has a passion for teaching music and enjoys seeing progress and excitement in his students. With over 4 years of teaching experience, he’s seen people go from being complete beginners to intermediate/advanced players. He remains excited at the prospect of helping people achieve their musical goals and enriching the lives of the next generation with music