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Managing Director and Tutor
Byron 'Buzz' Newton LTCL, FTCL, BMUS, PGDIP, MA, ARWCMD
Born in Ashburton, Byron ‘Buzz’ Newton earned his sweet nickname while working in the family honey business. Initially drawn to the piano, Buzz later took up the baritone horn in the Ashburton Silver Brass Band. After accidentally damaging his baritone trying to remove the mouthpiece by using an Encyclopaedia as a hammer, he received a euphonium as a replacement from his teacher.
Buzz holds degrees from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand School of Music, and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, achieving a flawless 100% in his Master's recital.
His diverse career includes stints with the Tredegar Town Band, Wellington Brass Band, and over a decade in the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band. Notably, he participated in WWI commemorations in Belgium, marking New Zealand's involvement in the Battle of Messines. Buzz has performed with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Currently, he serves as the Principal Tuba of Orchestra Wellington.
Committed to music education, Buzz has been an Artist Teacher at the New Zealand School of Music since 2013. In 2016, he founded the Buzzing Brass Academy, fostering musical talent through a full-size brass band and a "Beeginner" group.
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Tutor Reuben Brown BMUS (Hons)
Hailing from the depths of the South Island, Reuben Brown is a New Zealand-based conductor and euphoniumist, and a graduate of Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music, where he completed his Honours degree specialising in orchestral conducting and euphonium performance under Associate Professor Martin Riseley and euphonium artist Byron “Buzz” Newton.
Reuben was the 2025 New Zealand Assistant Conductor-in-Residence coordinated by the Auckland Philharmonia, gaining experience conducting and assisting rehearsals and performances, as well as mentorship from the AKL Phil's Music Director, Giordano Bellincampi.
He made his New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) conductor debut in 2023 with Christmas Brass at Te Papa Museum and, as a 2022–2024 NZSO Conducting Fellow, worked closely with NZSO Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor Gemma New, Music Director Emeritus James Judd, and Principal Conductor in Residence Hamish McKeich, as well as visiting international conductors. During this fellowship he conducted the NZSO National Youth Orchestra, recorded new works for the NZSO/CANZ Composer Workshops, and led NZSO Tamariki Time and Open Doors outreach concerts.
As a performer, Reuben is a euphonium musician with the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band and in Aotearoa’s premiere brass band, Wellington Brass, where he serves as Assistant Musical Director under David Bremner. He also regularly directs and assists ensemble performances across the Te Kōkī community and remains actively involved in youth music education through his ongoing work with the Buzzing Brass Academy.
Photo: Massey Digital
Tutor Kate McGregor
Kate McGregor hails from Invercargill, where she began her musical journey learning saxophone and playing a range of brass instruments in the local brass band scene before ultimately settling on the baritone horn.
She is currently 1st Baritone with the Hutt City Brass Band, 1st Baritone of the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand, and performs with the Wellington Brass Band on both baritone and euphonium.
Kate is in her final year of a Bachelor of Music at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music, where she studies baritone horn under Byron “Buzz” Newton.
Alongside her performance work, Kate is an active educator and leader within the Wellington brass community. She is the Conductor of the Beeginner Band, where she works closely with young and emerging brass players, fostering strong foundations in musicianship and ensemble playing.
Tutor Clara Dujakovic
Clara is an accomplished trombonist currently studying at Te Kōki, the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington. Clara has been a member of the RNZAF band since 2024 and has performed with a number of orchestras around the country, including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Wellington, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra. She also played Principal Trombone for the 2024 season of the National Youth Orchestra.
Outside of orchestral playing, Clara is passionate about teaching and getting more young people into low brass playing no matter the genre. As well as playing in the Wellington Brass band, Clara has dipped her toes into jazz. Before moving to Wellington in 2024, Clara played with the All Girl Big Band in Christchurch and now plays in big bands around Wellington, including the RNZAF Jazz Orchestra and Seth Boy's Big Boy Band. Clara is committed to making music and helping others to find the same joy and sense of purpose that it brings her.
Tutor James Sutherland
James Sutherland is a cornerstone of the New Zealand brass community, recognized for his extensive experience as both an elite performer and a dedicated educator. With a career spanning over two decades at the highest levels of brass playing, James brings a wealth of technical knowledge and professional insight to his students.
A Pillar of New Zealand Brass James is a long-standing member of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Band, where he holds the rank of Corporal. His military service is matched by his deep roots in the competitive brass band scene. He is the longest-serving current member of the world-renowned Wellington Brass Band and a former member of the prestigious National Band of New Zealand. Known within his ensembles as "Champ," James is a key part of the "engine room," providing the foundational Bb bass sound that has helped lead his bands to numerous national titles.
Teaching and Mentorship Beyond the concert stage, James is a passionate advocate for musical development. He has spent years mentoring the next generation of players, including a successful tenure tutoring students who have gone on to join A-grade ensembles.