About

Lance began his professional musical career at the age of 14 playing guitar in New Zealand big bands and working with successful local bands across the country. He has been mentored by many experienced and well-known musicians from classical, jazz and pop genres within the New Zealand music industry including lead members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and The New Zealand Jazz Orchestra. Some notable names are Bud Jones - Drums, Colin Hemmingson - Saxophone and Bassoon, Paul Morris - Trombone, Roger Sellers - Drums, Roger Fox - Trombone, Leigh Jackson - Guitar, Paul Dyne - Acoustic Bass, Neville Grenfell - Trumpet.

 

At the age of 15 Lance was awarded the position of guitarist for in the inaugural Yamaha Youth High School Jazz Orchestra of New Zealand. The group went on a National Tour, recorded a feature segment for Television New Zealand’s Jazz Scene hosted by Ray Harris and recorded a radio feature music programme for the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation.
 

After finishing high school, Lance studied for the New Zealand Certificate in Music at the Wellington Polytechnical Institute, now part of Massey University and known as the New Zealand School of Music.
 

Lance has a wide range of musical performance and communication skills including reading, arranging, composing and producing. He has also been involved in music education.
 

Lance’s primary instrument is guitar but he has played a variety of other instruments due to the demands of his professional work. He played banjo for the Wellington Symphonia with American conductor Timothy Brock in their performance of the silent film music for “Steam Boat Bill” and for “Chicago - The Musical” with its original cast member Ben Lokey. In the Chicago production, which toured New Zealand, Lance was required to play the mandolin and ukulele as well.

 

Lance has the understanding and ability to play a wide variety of musical styles including the use of new and innovative instrument technologies. The breadth of scope that he can provide has ensured him lead roles in the television production of New Zealand Dancing with the Stars, the creating of the guitar synthesis for The Secret Garden and the position as lead synthesizer programmer for Wai100 - Electronica New World Band.
 

Lance is thoroughly familiar with the demands of a professional work ethic and the conduct and communication required to maintain a pleasant yet productive working environment. He has an ease with other performers, having worked with a variety of self funded solo artists, regional and national orchestras, theatre companies, television corporations, international touring companies and the New Zealand Government.