More About Me

​​"I've been having lessons with David for over a year now. We have covered a diverse range of musical styles and techniques: clawhammer, bluegrass, contemporary, fusions; pretty much whatever I want to do, David will find a way to help me get there. The improvement in my playing I've seen over this time has been fantastic, now I can really enjoy playing the banjo at home and singing badly to my favourite tunes. The lessons I have had have been the key to unlocking the instrument for me, providing for me the knowledge I needed to push myself further with the banjo. David has been a supportive, friendly and patient teacher who has encouraged me to view the banjo in expansive ways. It has been an enriching process working with him." - Thomas

BANJO LESSONS​
David teaches Clawhammer, Oldtime Fingerpicking, Bluegrass and Contemporary banjo styles.
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GUITAR LESSONS​
An accomplished guitarist who has performed in a wide array of musical settings, David teaches the styles and tunes YOU want to learn: Rock, Pop, Classical, Blues, Country, Funk, Folk, Jazz...​

MUSIC THEORY​
With a music degree in Jazz Performance, and an eclectic career putting theory into creative and professional practice, lessons with David will help you to demystify : Technique, Scales, Modes, Harmony, Improvisation and "How it all fits together". Unlock that fretboard!

David is a diversely creative guitarist and banjo player who composes for theatre and original projects.
He has performed in numerous musical settings, touring extensivelyin NZ, Singapore, Australia, India, Germany and the U.S.A.

He is perhaps best known as Composer, Musical Director and character from all of INDIAN INK THEATRE COMPANY'S productions of the last 11 years: KRISHNAN'S DAIRY, THE CANDLESTICKMAKER, KISS THE FISH,
GURU OF CHAI, THE ELEPHANT THIEF and THE DENTIST'S CHAIR. For his work with this company he has twice won the CHAPMAN TRIPP THEATRE AWARD (2010 and 2014) for ​ "Most Outstanding Composer."

David writes and performs in his original Jazz ensembles such as ONOMATOPOEIA and RUCKUS,
Old-Time, Folk and Blues projects such as WHEEL OF EXPERIENCE and SHINDIG, as well as numerous roles performing as collaborator and sideman with many of New Zealand's most talented artists. He was a member of the popular Country/Rock N' Roll group THE BROADSIDES and other country artists such as
TAMI NEILSON, winner of multiple NZ Music Awards.

For the past 15 years he has also taught Guitar, Banjo and Music Theory.

http://www.davidwardmusician.com