At a young age Jamie could be found with a pair of chopsticks or wooden spoons, hitting whatever he could lay his hands on. Because of this young love of hitting things, when he asked his parents for drum lessons in primary school, yes seemed the only correct choice, starting lessons with Tracey Patten in 2011.
Jamie completed his Bachelor of Music Performance (Classical Percussion) at the University of Tasmania in 2022 under the watchful eye of Gary Wain and Matthew Goddard. He was given many opportunities to push his technical and musical capabilities, most notably performing regularly as a casual member of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. While studying in Tasmania he received a conservatorium scholarship, the Susan Williams Prize, the Ossa music prize, Margaret Stoermer Prize for best third year performance and appeared on the UTas Dean’s Roll of Excellence for 2022.
Jamie moved to Melbourne in 2023 to further his studies at the University of Melbourne, learning from Brent Miller and Rob Cossom, graduating with First Class Honours. While at the University of Melbourne Jamie was the principal percussionist of the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
He is primarily interested in orchestral percussion but enjoys all genres. He’s a member of brass bands in Tasmania and Victoria, has participated in various AYO programs since 2016 and was a playing member and later a section tutor with the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra from 2015-2022. He won the Clarence Jazz Scholarship in 2019 and enjoys playing jazz vibraphone.
In 2024 Jamie commences his studies at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) under the tutelage of Peter Neville and John Arcaro.
Photo by Pia Johnson