“I firmly believe that if you press on students’ foreheads in just the right way, their words just come tumbling out of their mouths.”
These aren’t my own words. They are the words of a former colleague of mine – a lecturer of Creative Writing at Te Auaha. They were so memorable when she shared them with me in conversation – vivid, provocative. But what immediately immortalised them in my mind was the way they encapsulated what I feel is the goal of songwriting education – to help creative people to discover, to express, and to refine, their authentic musical voices.
If you are interested, I would love to discuss the opportunity of coaching or mentoring you in your songwriting journey.
What people are saying.
-
“Dan is an outstanding tutor and mentor – deeply knowledgeable, highly professional, and genuinely passionate about songwriting and helping others grow in their creative practice… Dan has a rare ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His teaching style is both engaging and encouraging… He brings depth, intelligence, and a wealth of experience to every lesson.
— Rochelle Soukotta, private songwriting student, 2025
-
“Working with Dan has been consistently life-changing for me. I appreciate the way he wisely navigates me when I feel lost in the creative process, keeping me grounded, and structuring the development of my work from my initial ideas through to completion. Our sessions are highly musically active, with lots of opportunity for me to explore through improvisation and collaboration.”
— Alice Hurdle, private songwriting student, 2025