Jeremy Mayall

Jeremy very nearly became a lawyer. After finishing Hamilton Boys’ High School, Jeremy applied for a scholarship to study law – but never quite finished his application. “I had to write a one-page essay on why I wanted to become a lawyer. I tried to write the thing for two weeks – I couldn’t even make up a reason why I wanted to do it. So I decided to pursue something I was more passionate about."

Jeremy continues to pursue his passion and help others to do the same. As CEO of Creative Waikato, Jeremy works as a composer, researcher, artist, and collaborator. He has received many accolades for his work in music and sound art with a focus on the interrelationships between sound, time, space and the human experience.

Stand-out moments from university for Jeremy are mostly ones where he was performing. “I’ve been lucky enough to have had my music performed by some excellent musicians. A highlight was my ‘Symphony No. 1’, which was the first orchestral symphony to include hip-hop turntablism, and it was played by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonia”.

“Without my degree I wouldn’t have developed the skill-set or the portfolio of work required to take up a composer residency. Hopefully now that I’ve also completed my PhD, I’ll be able to move toward a future career at a tertiary institute as a lecturer where I can share my knowledge and continue working on my creative practice.”