Lauren
Instruments: Drums, Piano
Teaching Styles: Pop, Funk, Jazz, Fusion, Afro-Latin, R&B, Rock
University training: BMus and PGDip. in jazz studies from the New Zealand School of Music; Master of Music from University of Southern California Thornton School of Music
Fun fact: I like to waterski and make hot sauce
Bio:
Lauren Ellis is a drummer, composer, educator, and percussionist from Wellington, Aotearoa (New Zealand). There, she studied at the Te Kōki New Zealand School of Music under Lance Phillip and Roger Sellars (Ian Carr’s Nucleus, house drummer Ronny Scotts). Since graduating in 2011 she has stamped her mark on the scene, leading and playing for a number of well-known groups, including Richter City Rebels, Gold Nugget Pawn Shop, The Presidents of Funk, Hip Town Bangers, and Son Clave. The varied styles reflect her versatility as a player, running the gamut from New Orleans second-line to funk, to hard bop, to salsa. An active side woman, she recently toured New Zealand and the US with indie-rock group Giantess. In addition to live performance, Lauren has spent time working as a session musician, recording for various projects such as singer-songwriter Matt Mulholland's new record 'After You Grow', the latest release from Giantess 'Big Woman', and the self-titled EP by cinematic soul group The Sixteenth. Lauren has been the drummer for New Zealand’s premier jazz orchestra, The Rodger Fox Big Band, for a number of years, performing with luminaries such as Joey DeFrancesco, Mike Stern, and James Carter. The band tours both in New Zealand and internationally, with appearances at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Her association with the band has led to a number
of educational opportunities including coaching bands and adjudicating high-school jazz competitions country-wide.
Teaching is a passion of Lauren’s and with over ten years experience she is an accomplished educator. She has taught students of all ages and abilities in an array of settings from individual lessons to ensemble workshops, band directing, and group sessions. Some things she likes to teach are fundamentals such as technique, reading music, various styles, and interdependence. It is her goal to provide a solid musical foundation and understanding of the drum set/piano and its history while also developing an approach and structure that allows the student to enjoy the journey of musical discovery!