The Birth of Stars

When I was a boy of about 10 years of age our school was visited by the percussionist of the NZ symphony Orchestra, a man named Gary Brain. He had made it his mission to visit as many NZ schools as possible and with him he brought a variety of instruments including a massive gong. That day changed me and set something alight in me- in a strange way I could move into and through the massive wall of sound he created with his gong without thinking of form or structure. It was a revelation- not so much in the moment but more in the years that followed as the experience gradually seeped into my being.

Fast forward to today, I make a point to visit as many schools as I can on my travels and share the wonders of harmonics and overtones with the kids ( big, or small or medium sized humans). Basically I use a prism, my voice,  and some stories from my travels to show them what is hidden within the sounds they take for granted ( for example, their own voices) and I give them the basics to go off and start making these magical sounds on their own. I also introduce them to the concept of improvising which really comes back to listening and reacting. In short, I do my humble best to light some flames of inspiration and wonder that could one day take on musical form and make someone else smile.