David is a diversely creative guitarist and banjo player who composes for theatre and original projects.
He has performed in numerous musical settings, touring extensively
in NZ,  Singapore, Australia, India, Germany and the U.S.A. 

He is perhaps best known as Composer, Musical Director and character from all of INDIAN INK THEATRE COMPANY'S  productions since 2004: KRISHNAN'S DAIRY,  THE CANDLESTICKMAKER, KISS THE FISH,
GURU OF CHAI, THE ELEPHANT THIEF, THE DENTIST'S CHAIR and WELCOME TO THE MURDERHOUSE. For his work with this company he has twice won the CHAPMAN TRIPP THEATRE AWARD (2010 and 2014) for ​
​"Most Outstanding Composer." 

David  writes and performs in his original Jazz ensembles such as ONOMATOPOEIA  and RUCKUS,  
Old-Time, Folk and Blues projects such as WHEEL OF EXPERIENCE and SHINDIG, as well as numerous roles performing as collaborator and sideman with many of New Zealand's most talented artists. He was a member of the popular Country/Rock N' Roll group THE BROADSIDES and other country artists such as
TAMI NEILSON, winner of multiple NZ Music Awards.  In 2018 and 2019 David performed as a guest Banjoist with the AUCKLAND PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA.

Since 2001 he has taught Guitar, Banjo and Music Theory.

GUITAR AND BANJO LESSONS

BANJO LESSONS​
David teaches Clawhammer, Oldtime Fingerpicking, Bluegrass and Contemporary banjo styles. 
​

GUITAR LESSONS​
An accomplished guitarist who has performed in a wide array of musical settings, David teaches the styles and tunes YOU want to learn: Rock, Pop, Classical, Blues, Country, Funk, Folk, Jazz...​

MUSIC THEORY​
With a music degree in Jazz Performance, and an eclectic career putting theory into creative and professional practice, lessons with David will help you to demystify : Technique, Scales, Modes, Harmony, Improvisation and "How it all fits together".  Unlock that fretboard!

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

​​"I've been having lessons with David for over a year now. We have covered a diverse range of musical styles and techniques: clawhammer, bluegrass, contemporary, fusions; pretty much whatever I want to do, David will find a way to help me get there. The improvement in my playing I've seen over this time has been fantastic, now I can really enjoy playing the banjo at home and singing badly to my favourite tunes. The lessons I have had have been the key to unlocking the instrument for me, providing for me the knowledge I needed to push myself further with the banjo. David has been a supportive, friendly and patient teacher who has encouraged me to view the banjo in expansive ways. It has been an enriching process working with him." - Thomas

"I have played for more than 10 years, but found myself stuck. after a few months I feel that I am making really good progress and am finally starting to unlock this mysterious but fantastic instrument.  I couldn’t recommend David more. He is patient, easy to get on with and is not judgmental. In short, go and see David and become the guitar player you want to be!"  -Nathan

"David has taught both myself and my daughter guitar, always patient, he tailors the class to your ability.
​His lessons are fun, and he introduces new genres for you to play around with." - Fred and Holly 

I've been taking weekly guitar lessons with David since late 2013, after many years of trying to teach myself and being very dissatisfied with lack of progress. Through David's teaching I've accomplished more than I hoped for, especially in the area of fingerstyle blues. I've learned to play songs by Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson, and other blues guitar greats, songs that I'd thought would be far too complex and difficult, until David broke them down into manageable sections and patiently showed me how to play each bar, slowly at first, over and over, until I got each one under my fingers and the whole song took shape. Along the way, I've picked up new techniques and some musical theory, so both my playing and knowledge are improving all the time. This has given me the confidence, for the first time ever, to start playing with other people. David is not only a superb musician, he's also an excellent teacher. He teaches at my speed and provides helpful support material in the form of tabs and video clips. The commitment to a weekly lesson has also been important. Because I'm making progress, I'm more motivated to practise – usually every day – and the practice sessions have more direction and purpose.    - Tom

RUCKUS 

An improvising  ensemble playing new compositions by David Ward. Long marinated in such juices as Monk, Coleman, Mingus, Lacy, Zappa and Frisell, David writes music that is melodic, humourous, rhythmic and joyous. From twisted tango and carnivalesque romps to disheveled swing and free tunes, this group agrees with Frank: jazz ain't dead, it just smells funny.

DAVID WARD - Guitar  / EAMON EDMUNDSON-WELLS- Bass 
CHRIS O'CONNOR - Drums /  CAM ALLEN - Saxophone

​Also: NEIL WATSON - Pedal Steel / CAM McCARTHUR - Bass / JEFF HENDERSON - Reeds
JOHN BELL - Vibraphone / RUI INABA-  Bass / TRISTAN DECK - Drums / FINN SCHOLES - Trumpet 
​

Chris O'Connor, Eamon Edmundson-Wells, David Ward

"A METAPHOR FOR THE INVENTIVENESS AND VIBRANCY OF THE NEW ZEALAND JAZZ SCENE.”
- Jazz Local32

WHEEL OF EXPERIENCE 

​​A unique musical and theatrical experience that paints the lives and legends of early NZ through epic original song.  ​​Written and performed by :

DAVID WARD 
PETER DAUBÉ (King Skinny)
DAVE KHAN (The Bads, Marlon Williams) 

Peter Daubé, David Ward & Dave Khan

"MUSIC THAT JUST SINKS INTO YOUR BONES WITH A SENSE OF TIMELESSNESS."
- Keeping up with NZ    

“A NATIONAL THEATRICAL TREASURE” 
- Theatreview   

“EXUBERANT, SLY AND FIERCELY WELL PERFORMED.” 
- Metro

“WILL HAUNT ME FOR DAYS…YOU CAN HEAR A COLLECTIVE SIGH AFTER EACH PIECE FINISHES” 
- Theatreview    

INDIAN INK THEATRE CO

David has composed and performed for KRISHNAN'S DAIRY, CANDLESTICKMAKER, THE DENTIST CHAIR,
​GURU OF CHAI, KISS THE FISH, ELEPHANT THIEF and WELCOME TO THE MURDERHOUSE. 
Since 2004 He has toured and performed extensively in NZ, Australia, India, U.S.A and Germany. 

David Ward in Kiss The Fish

"MARVELLOUSLY GRITTY SONGS" 
                         – Dominion Post                             

"SPLENDIDLY CREEPY SONGS" 
– The Listener 

"THE QUINTESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF WARD'S APPEALING SONGS AND 
PUNCTUATING SOUNDSCAPE CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED." 
- Theatreview

"THE SOUND AND MUSICAL LANDSCAPES FURNISH THE PLAY WITH FEELINGS 
THAT TRANSCEND LANGUAGE OR CULTURE"  
- Waikato times

"EXCELLENT MUSIC...EACH SLOW TWANG OF HIS GUITAR RESONATES WITH AN INESCAPABLE LONELINESS" 
- Today (Singapore). 

INDIAN INK WEBSITE

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