KAEA TE ARAHIA RUAWAI
DANIEL ‘DANIMAL’ WATSON
Daniel grew up in a small rural town about an hour west of Invercargill called Orepuki. He grew a strong passion for drums and largely taught himself how to play after his father inspired him by playing along to Mercy Me’s “Almost There” album, along with various other Christian artists.
Daniel now lives in his wife Sarah’s home region on the Kapiti Coast, just north of Wellington, where he runs his own company called “Mr Watts Electrical.” He plays drums weekly for Kapiti Impact Church and his originals band “The AJ Crawshaw Band” as well as filling in for other local artists on occasion.
Daniel not only loves how Red cymbals sound, but also what the company stands for. He particularly loved being a part of a Red Drum Shed, where it wasn’t about “the best or the fastest drummer wins,” but rather...Let’s play drums together.
Daniel is looking forward to launching his YouTube channel in the coming months where he wants to help drummers learn some tips and tricks for playing live in general, but mostly teaching from his experience in church praise and worship, as well as filming worship song tutorials.
GEORGE BERRY - THE BUTLERS
George plays for internationally renowned New Zealand band The Butlers who have toured extensively in Australia, New Zealand soon to grace the stages of the USA.
Visit The Butlers Website and find out more about their amazing drummer!
SHANNON MARSTERS
Shanon's passion for drums started in the gospel circles many years ago. Currently the Music Director for Sound of Destiny Waikato, Destiny Productions Waikato and The Strange Arrangement. Shanon has featured recording projects, tours and on national television in New Zealand. He's played in numerous bands and blessed to play in many locations around New Zealand. But the place Shanon loves playing the most is at Church. Shanon is stoked to join the Red whanau (family) and ready to continue impacting his community through music.
SOPHIA KINGI
Sophia is an 21 year old self taught drummer based near Wellington in New Zealand. She started playing drums when she was 8 after Sophia’s father built her a drum kit out of cardboard boxes and pans. Sophia has been hooked on drumming ever since and absolutely loves music. Sophia started playing in church when she was 12 and now plays weekly for Connect Church Kapiti campus. Sophia supports the heart behind Red Cymbals especially to promote positive mental health. Sophia is excited to work with Red and start working alongside other drummers that are passionate about the art of music as well as getting involved in some Red drum sheds in NZ.
Visit Sophia’s Instagram and give her a follow!
ASH PIRIE - GREAT LAKE MUSIC CO.
Ashley Pirie only ever wanted to be two things, a chef and a drummer. So when he left his career as a chef in 2016 to open his own drum tutoring school in Taupo, NZ, it was the full circle moment he had been searching for.
What started as a young kid picking up sticks at 14 to bash punk and metal tunes in the garage, led to an unexpected audition to play for one of New Zealand's most prominent Roots/reggae bands, Cornerstone Roots. This turned into an invitation to join their band where he spent 5 years touring New Zealand, Australia and Europe. Once returning home he opened up the Great Lake Drum Co which now teaches in over 6 educational facilities with 6 tutors and hosts events with local music icons such as Tiki Taane and Darren Mathiassen, all while creating music for his original band False Heights, and session drumming for other musical acts like Dan Sharp, Jackson Owens, and prominent NZ corporate band Grand Theft Audio.
Some of his career highlights include playing festivals such as Glastonbury and Sziget, or opening for ZZ Top, Stone Temple Pilots and Pat Benetar at the Taupo Summer Concert.
Visit Ash's instagram page - False Heights Band
Visit Great Lake Music Co's Instagram - Great Lake Music Co