Echoes of excellence

Toby Barrett playing alongside our student saxophonists

Alumni musicians Tyler Diprose, Toby Barrett, Max Crook, and Feiyang Wu returned to Avondale College last week for a day of mentoring current student saxophonists, drummers, guitarists and keyboardists.

The mentoring opportunity came about through a timely reconnection at the Auckland Jazz and Blues Club, where Avondale’s jazz teacher Mr Robinson met alumnus saxophonist Toby Barrett during his visit to New Zealand. Toby, who is now based in Melbourne, offered to support the Avondale College Jazz Programme while touring the country to launch his debut album, "Carthasis.". On tour Toby will be joined by fellow alumni Max Crook on drums and Tyler Diprose on upright bass.

Drummer Alex Hutchinson-Jones (Year 13) thoroughly enjoyed learning valuable techniques from musicians who once stood where he stands now. “To have alumni come back to mentor us bridges the gap between teachers and the students,” he said. “Having someone who has real-world experience but also understands what it’s like to be an Avondale College student allows us to clearly understand what’s needed to become better musicians.”

The Music Department looks forward to continuing to foster these alumni connections.

Max Crook mentoring our young musicians