Our Mentors!

Vocalist, Freestyle MC, Producer, Composer, - Tali Tali is a multi award winning musician, hailing from Aotearoa, New Zealand. She is known internationally for her groundbreaking achievements in the Electronic music scene, most notably within Drum & Bass as a vocalist and freestyle MC. Tali is sought after for her conscious, positive lyrics, soaring, soulful voice and her ability to connect with her audience, from huge festival crowds to small intimate club shows. Anyone that has seen Tali live, can testify to her electrifying and energetic performance, and yet, Tali can easily switch from this to a more introspective, intimate delivery when required. In her 25 year career, Tali has released eight studio albums, two EPs and countless singles and collaborations. Her EP 'Love & Migration' earned her 'Best Electronic Artist' at the New Zealand Music Awards in 2019, and her most recent album release - her self produced album 'Future Dwellers' was nominated for the same award in 2022.

Jessica Chi graduated at Auckland university as a musicstudent this year. She started piano lessons at an early age and hasaccomplished many awards.She passed the Trinity College London LTCL Diplomaexam with high distinction. She gained several first and second places in NZPiano Competitions and awarded New Zealand Institute of Registered MusicTeachers (IRMT) Scholarships, Alice Cole annual Piano Scholarship. She iscurrently involved in many online International piano competitions. Away frompiano performing, Jessica enjoys composing, painting, 3D animating and is afreelance book illustrator.

Dave Simpson is an Auckland based live music and event photographer. His pictures have appeared in newspapers and magazines around the world. He co-founded and curates the FromThePit music photography exhibition, an annual showcase featuring the best New Zealand music photographers. He is passionate about capturing the magic of fleeting moments, and helping other photographers grow in their craft. He will be mentoring students on the craft of music photography.

Sparrow Peppermint (AKA Possum Plows) formerly the vocalist for Pop-Punk Openside is a mentor with many years of performance experience, and has assisted numerous performers in their role as a Mentor over the last 6 years.

The fabulous Tali joins us again, as a vocal coach and to work with our rangatahi on stage presence and performance. Tali has been a highly sought after In Schools Music Mentor for the NZ Music Commission for many years and is delighted to work with our students before heading to overseas on her Tali & Elipsa UK/Europe Summer ’23 Tour. An award winning Drum & Base MC Tali is a singer/songwriter and producer and she composes music for both film and television productions.

Best known as the singer of Alt pop rock band Goodshirt, Rodney wen ton to tour  NZ and the UK with his band Breaks Co-Op, Since returning to NZ he's enjoyed experimenting with a variety of styles and genres and has shared his skills and experiences with a number of up-and-coming artists, including through his role at NZ Music Commission as Special Events and Projects Manager. Rodney recently released his latest collection of songs .

Jon has been a working musician for nearly 30 years, playing across a variety of bands as a vocalist, drummer, guitarist, bass player and keyboardist. After a 20-year career in education, Jon's teaching is now focused on running the contemporary music programmes at Northcote and Glenfield Intermediate Schools. Jon also initiated the Intermediate Schools Battle of the Bands in 2007, giving performance opportunities to thousands of students.

Ben Kubiak is a multi-faceted musician whose work spans multiple instruments and genres and his singing prowess has seen him perform everything from lead roles in Musicals Theatre to solo performances with the likes of the Auckland Philharmonia and the Royal NZ Navy Band.

Mike Chunn is the CEO of the Play It Strange Trust, a former member of both Split Enz and the Citizen Band and as a champion of music and musicians, in Aotearoa, as both an Ambassador for Kaipatiki Sounds and one of our first Mentors.

Michael Booth is an accomplished trumpeter and composer, and has taught up and coming musicians around the world. He has recorded and toured with Netherworld Dancing Toys, Cats Away, Dave Dobbyn and Howard Morrison, and currently teaches trumpet and composing at Auckland and Massey University's School of Music.

Bella is a Samoan, Tongan, and Māori (Ngati Porou) soul sister who has worked with and supported artists as diverse as Ciara, Mos Def, Renee Geyer, Fat Freddy's Drop, Dave Dobbyn, Hollie Smith, the NZSO, and Chaka Khan.

A woman of many talents, Eve is a musican, composer and graphic artist. Eve was the first person to receive a DMus at Auckland University and has only recently retired as an Associate Professor of Music there. Eve is now a freelance composer. music consultant and writer