I play (or have played) heaps of different instruments including saxophone, singing, guitar, drums, viola as well of course as violin, keyboard and piano which I teach.  I have extremely varied taste in muisc.  I love most 70's & 80's music especially classic rock & the old style metal bands, back when bands new how to write metal with melody! (Led Zepplin, Metalica, Hendrix, Doors, Clapton, Police, Simple Minds, Jethro Tull, Sabath, Iron Maiden etc).  At the other end of the scale I like a lot of female vocalists - Melisa Ethridge, Marianne Faithful, Janis Jopplin, The Corrs, Pat Benitar, Sade and Berlin are some of my favourites.  I guess my all time favourite band is probably Pink Floyd especially the early stuff.  I always said I'd stay up to date with what the kids were listening to, a dose of High School Musical quickly brought that idea to a screaming holt!  It wasn't working anyway as the radio is permanently stuck on The Rock.  Mainly though now I'm listening to Christian artists, I'm working hard on trying to find bands I like that can compete against the classic rock (all suggestions welcome).  I've found a few I like: Red, Brian "Head" Welch, Newsboys, Casting Crowns, Planet Shakers, Brooke Fraser, Building 429, By the Tree, Petra, Rapture Ruckus, Chris Tomlin, Jesus Culture. 

 

Mostly I just love arranging songs to suit my students ability level, easy versions of the latest songs for all the different age groups are really hard to find.  Even harder to find is modern Christian worship music that is arranged for beginners and this is where most of my arranging time is now focussed.

 

As well as music I love cooking (well actually I probably just love eating especially Thai, Indian and pizza).  I love wine especially bubbly and sweet dessert wines (and Pinos Gris, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Shiraz, ... ok just wine in general!).  I spend too much time watching TV (mainly the History Channel, British Comedy, Costume Drama's, Living Chanel, House, NCIS, Two & a Half Men, Bones, yep too much time!).  Hmm, maybe more friends over for dinner and ocktails more often, and less blobbing in front of the box!  DIY has been a big part of my life until last year when I moved into a little place that doesn't need much doing and isn't worth doing much to.  So I have a new focus, I'm writing a book on how to teach young Christian musicians to worship God and to play together in a worship band, currently just over 1/2 way written.

 

I have an amazing family - My Mum and Dad truly are my role models and live here in Tauranga, with my 9yr old foster brother Leon.  My little sister Rose is an Architect and is married to Jono (Also an Architect) who so far really is the perfect bfother-in-law, couldn't have found better if I had picked him myself!  Best of all I have  abrand new neice born 17 Feb 2011 and named Naomi.  At 5 months old she is already very expressive and seems to grab everyones attention, far too cute! She seems to like me, which most babies don't, so thats extra cool!  Then of course there is my puppy Jack who is the main man in my life.  I say puppy because he'll never be big enough to be a real dog!

 

AKA "my gorgeousness", "little gift from God", "pissy monster" (not recently), "Jack-in-the-box", "Jumpin Jack Flash", "The Shagster" (his hair is wild!), "Licky Monster", "Sir Lick-a-lot", "Mr Ungroomed from Jeanie's Music Room" (if you've read Hairy McClairey you'll see the resemblence), and worst of all "panty thief".  I now know a few  important things about puppy training, buy a crate, don't wear socks (they get wet), keep everything in the house 1m off the floor, and do have a sense of humour especially when your on the front lawn in the dark in the rain with an umbrella in your dressing gown praying the puppy, who doesn't like getting his feet wet, will get off your feet and do its business!

 

Jack was born 11 March 2010 and is a Foodle (thats Foxy Poodle X).  More of a live cuddly toy than a dog, until he finds something to rip apart or gets out sniffing in a field.  He has a crazy coat which is wiry and straight and may need clipping as he doesn't really shed and its still growing!  You can bursh him up to look all pretty, but I quite like him shaggy and crazy.  He is super super cuddly and very trainable, he knows all his toy names and brings me the one I ask for, but a bit scatter-brained or should I say "poodle brained".  The most beautiful natured little dog, very affectionate and loves children and so wants to please! 

(Approx 15 yrs old) 

b.17 Nov 1995 - d.23 Nov 2010