Dan is the Head Monster at Monster Music! He's all about sharing his love for music and connecting with kids. Dan started Monster Music in to give children a fun and structured way to learn music with an emphasis on performance.

With plenty of musical experience under his belt, Dan's passion lies in nurturing young talents. Dan is also super lucky to be married to the beautiful Hollie Hitchens, who is also on the Monster Music management team!

Hollie is an absolute powerhouse who handles a lot of the admin alongside all of the social media in Monster Music. We have a super awesome Facebook page that Hollie is constantly updating with all of the epic things that are going on in Monster Music.

However Hollies job goes far beyond Facebook and sending emails… Hollie is constantly helping in the background to make sure that kids get the best musical experience possibly. As well as working mega hours for Monster Music, Hollie is also a full time special needs carer for her awesome sister, Gemma.

Hollie is the defintion of awesome so make sure you give her a hi5 at the next Monster Music event!

Jayden Bowley is the driving force behind Monster Music. He’s our super epic manager of all of the day to day operations. Jayden makes sure that everything is running smoothly behind the scenes while ensuring that kids are having the best time possible in their lessons.

But Jayden’s not just a manager! He’s a seasoned musician with oodles of experience around the world. We’re thrilled to have him back in Christchurch though, where he’s dedicated to nurturing young talent at Monster Music.

Jayden is a core part of Monster Music so make sure say hello to him when you see him at schools or events!

Michelle handles all of the absences and upcoming clashes that we can foresee happening. As you could imagine, there are a lot of things that happen day to day in a school. Michelle does an epic job at shuffling things around to ensure that kids can still get their lessons! Michelle is an absolute trooper and also helps with a lot of other behind the scene jobs in Monster Music.

Tahlia is our student apprentice who does an amazing job helping Dan and Jayden with the day to day operations in Monster Music. Tahlia handles a lot of the content creation (books, lanyards, certificates etc) but is also an absolute whizz with opus and our other online platforms.

Not only does Tahlia work with Monster Music, she is also an incredible musician. In fact, Tahlia was one of the first ever children to learn with Monster Music when she was only 4 years old. If you have ever attended a Monster Music event, you will have witnessed Tahlia’s amazing talent.

GUITAR/UKULELE/BASS

Meet Aaron Wildermoth, a music teaching legend from Christchurch. He's not your typical tutor; he's a passionate guitarist, ukulele whiz, and bass guitar super star with a strong background in bands like St Peters Thursday and Black and Gold. In 2024, Aaron will be taking the Monster Music lessons at Heaton Intermediate and Prebbleton School!

Schools that Aaron teaches at

• Heaton Intermediate

• Prebbleton School

GUITAR/UKULELE/BASS/KEYBOARD

Introducing Alice, an exceptional guitar tutor with a global musical journey. With two years of teaching experience, Alice has traveled the world, enchanting audiences on cruise ships with her guitar and piano skills. Whether rocking solo, in acoustic duos, or with cover bands, Alice's passion shines through. She crafts and performs her own music, sharing her expertise and inspiring students of all levels.

Schools that Alice teaches at

• Westburn School

• Cobham Intermediate

GUITAR/UKULELE/BASS/DRUMS

Meet Brad Grainger, an essential part of Monster Music's tutoring team! With lots of teaching experience and a talent for working with kids, Brad ensures every lesson is fun and educational. Besides teaching, Brad has traveled the world performing with various musicians, bringing valuable insights to his lessons. Known for his exciting live shows, Brad is here to guide beginners and seasoned musicians alike on their musical journey.

Schools that Bradley teaches at

• Casebrook Intermediate

• Cobham Intermediate

• Ilam School

• Marshland School

KEYBOARD

Camelia brings musical joy to kids through fun, friendly, and educational lessons. Beyond teaching, she performs at jazz festivals and cool events with bands like the Camelia Anderson-Setyowati Trio. She's not just a great teacher but also a music star, blending diverse genres into her lessons. Join her at Monster Music for a musical adventure filled with laughter and learning, where every note helps you find your unique melody!

Schools that Camelia teaches in

• Cotswold School

GUITAR/UKULELE/BASS/KEYBOARD/DRUMS

Meet Charlie Mannering, one of Christchurch's coolest musicians who's been mastering guitar, drums, bass, and piano since the age of three. Beyond his impressive musical skills, Charlie brings a contagious enthusiasm to his lessons, making learning music a blast for kids. He's known for his positive vibes, wealth of knowledge, and knack for turning each lesson into an exciting adventure. When he's not teaching, Charlie takes the stage with his bands, living out his rockstar dreams. For anyone looking to embark on a fun and educational musical journey, Charlie Mannering is the perfect guide!

Schools that Charlie teaches in

• Christ The King

• Hoon Hay School

• St Albans School

• St Joseph’s School

• St Martins School

GUITAR/UKULELE/BASS

Emily, from Christchurch, New Zealand, graduated with a music degree from Ara Institute of Canterbury in 2018. Alongside her work in music, including collaborations with artists like PRINS, she's renowned for her exceptional ability as a music tutor. Emily has a special talent for making learning fun and engaging for kids, earning admiration from all her students.

Schools that Emiy teaches in

• St Joseph’s School

GUITAR/UKULELE/BASS

Holly Kimber is an ultimate tutor for guitar, ukulele, bass and even singing! Starting her musical journey at 15, Holly is a beloved figure in the New Zealand music scene. With loads enthusiasm and years of teaching experience, she's not just a teacher but also a rockstar who has released her own music. Everyone in the Monster Music community loves Holly!

Schools that Holly teaches at

• Casebrook Intermediate

• Cotswold School

• Marshland School

• Te Ara Maurea Roydvale School

GUITAR/KEYBOARD/UKULELE

Jack Bubb, a musician from Christchurch, NZ, plays keyboard, guitar, and sings. He started learning piano at 10 and studied jazz and contemporary keyboard at Ara, earning his bachelor's degree. Jack is a fun tutor who kids love, passionate about helping students discover the joy of music. He believes music is a fun way to express yourself and build skills like discipline and coordination.

Schools that Jack teaches at

• Marshland School

• Paparoa Street School

• St Joseph’s School

GUITAR/UKULELE/DRUMS/BASS

Meet Kyle Andales, one of Monster Music's awesome tutors! Kyle loves making learning music fun and engaging for kids. He's really skilled with drums, guitar, bass, flute, and piano, and has lots of experience teaching. Kyle isn't just a great tutor, he's also active in the local music scene, playing regularly at cool venues and big events. He enjoys all kinds of music—jazz, rock, pop, you name it. If you want music lessons that are fun and educational, Kyle Andales is your guy at Monster Music!

Schools that Kyle teaches at

• Hillview Christian School

• Hoon Hay School

• Prebbleton School

• St Patricks School

• Thorrington School

GUITAR/UKULELE/DRUMS

Liam Dodge, a music enthusiast from Christchurch, is a multi-instrumental talent with a passion for both music and teaching. Starting with drum lessons at 9, he's expanded his skills to guitar, bass, piano, and ukulele. Liam holds a Bachelor of Music Arts and has played with various musicians, including Mim Jensen. As a Monster Music tutor for over 2 years, we can confidently say that Liam is an absolute hit with the kids that learn with him!

Schools that Liam teaches at

• Avonhead School

• Cotswold School

• Christ The King

• Emmanuel Christian School

• Paparoa Street School

• Parkview School

• West Spreydon School

DRUMS/BASS/GUITAR/UKULELE

Mike, an amazing drummer and coffee connoisseur, brings over 30 years of drumming experience to Monster Music. A proud father to Jesse, Noah, and Eden, he's played in original bands, toured with the Y-One Roadshow, and kept the beat in church bands. Mike's also a former kids pastor and after school program leader, known for bringing joy to children. With influences from Movements to Dire Straits, he enjoys playing guitar, writing sad songs, and plans to record his own music soon. Get ready for a wild ride with Mike at the drum set!

Schools that Mike teaches at

• Avonhead School

• Cobham Intermediate

• Ilam School

• St Martins School

• Te Ara Maurea Roydvale School

GUITAR/UKULELE/DRUMS

Meet Mitch, a drummer and guitarist from Christchurch and younger brother to Jayden! Recently back from Melbourne, Mitch is joining us to inspire the next generation of rockstars. He picked up drums in primary school and taught himself guitar later on. Mitch has toured New Zealand with two bands, 'The Hootz' (where he played guitar and wrote music) and 'Pretty Stooked' (where he shredded the drums). With his wealth of experience, Mitch is eager to meet students and share the joy of music!

Schools that Mitch teaches in

• Aidanfield Christian School

• Harewood School

• Our Lady of the Assumption

• Papanui Primary School

GUITAR/UKULELE/BASS

Since 2019, Phil has taught guitar, ukulele, and bass at Monster Music, currently at Paparoa Street School and Emmanuel Christian School. He's also the music director at St Martins C3 Church, leading a volunteer band and helping church kids learn songs. With a music degree in songwriting, Phil previously taught guitar, played bass for CHCH band Skymachine, and released original music as 'Phil Parkes'. Passionate about nurturing young musicians, including his three daughters, Phil loves indie rock like Kings of Leon and The Killers.

Schools that Phil teaches at

• Emmanuel Christian School

• Paparoa Street School

GUITAR/UKULELE/BASS

Meet Sammy Jay, the Christchurch musician and tutor who loves teaching kids to rock! With guitar, ukulele, keyboard, and bass skills rooted in country, blues, and rock music, Sammy has returned from six years in Europe and the UK. Alongside his wife Hannah, he's eager to share his expertise and inspire young musicians. Sammy's enthusiasm and patience make learning instruments a thrilling adventure. Join him on a musical journey where fun and learning go hand in hand!

Schools that Sammy teaches at

• Christ The King

• Burnside Primary School

• Paparoa Street School

• St Albans School

• St Martins School

DRUMS

Simon began his musical journey at age 2 with a cornet, which he played until 11. At 15, he switched to drums, eventually joining three successful rock bands that wrote their own songs, toured nationally, and opened for major acts in New Zealand. After gaining recognition, Simon transitioned to playing in cover bands around Canterbury, performing at pubs and private events. Alongside his music career, Simon holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and has been teaching at Monster Music. With years of drum tutoring experience, he enjoys mentoring students of all ages, finding fulfillment in seeing them progress and develop as musicians.

Schools that Simon teaches at

• Harewood School

• Marshland School

• Paparoa Street School

• St Joseph’s School

KEYBOARD/VOCALS

Stef Todd is a multifaceted musician, vocalist, songwriter, and producer with a deep-rooted passion for music. Armed with a Bachelor of Music degree from Ara and nearly ten years of teaching experience, she has made waves in both electronic music under "Stef T" and live performances at festivals like Rhythm & Alps, opening for artists such as Tali and Hollie Smith. Co-founding "The Output Project" in 2018 and hosting a radio show on RDU, she now writes, produces, and performs as MARY, celebrated for her recent single "Change (I Hoped)." Beyond music, Stef is a dedicated mother, a certified Yoga teacher, and an XPT certified Functional & Performance Breathing Coach, bringing a compassionate approach to teaching music, focusing on breathwork, performance anxiety, and fostering a genuine love for music among her students.

Schools that Stef teaches at

• Paparoa Street School

KEYBOARD/GUITAR/UKUELE/DRUMS/BASS

Meet Tyler Robbins, a supremely talented musician and teacher hailing from Christchurch. With a Bachelor of Music specializing in Piano/Composition under his belt, Tyler boasts an impressive musical repertoire spanning 16 years on guitar, 8 years on drums, and 5 years on flute. He's graced stages nationwide, from rocking keyboards with Melbourne's "Pretty Stooked" to touring New Zealand with "Horizone" and performing at Electric Ave with local favorites "The Settlers." Beyond music, Tyler shines as a dynamic tutor known for his ability to connect effortlessly with kids, making learning both fun and educational. If you're ready for a musical journey unlike any other, Tyler Robbins is your go-to guy!

Schools that Tyler teaches at

• Harewood School

• St Albans School

• St Peter’s School

• Thorrington School

DRUMS

Zak is an experienced drummer and tutor from Christchurch with a Bachelor of Musical Arts from Ara Music Arts. Skilled in jazz, pop, and rock, he focuses on drum set technique and music reading. Zak performs regularly in local gigs and recently played in NASDA's musical theatre band. He offers tailored lessons aimed at building musical skills and a love for drumming. Monster Music kids love their weekly lessons with Zak!

Schools that Zak teaches in

• Clearview School

• Merrin School

• Westburn School