Jolan Kilkelly

Tutor, Musician, Bodyboarder, Greymouth Local has been a member of YMDT since 2006. Quite capable at playing Guitar, Bass and Drums, Jolan’s checkered past includes winning the first ever Greymouth Smokefree Rockquest back in 1995 with his Greymouth High School band ‘Nilakantha’. He then moved to Gisborne and won the Rockquest up there in 1996 with his band ‘Dirt’. Then the following year in 1997, with his newly formed punk band ‘Minus Title’ came second at Rockquest. From then on ‘Minus Title’ had countless gigs all around the country, recorded 3 CD’s and never actually made it to the top. Jolan also set up a covers band called 'The Dennehy's' and they were together for roughly 3 years and played many gigs along the West Coast.

These days Jolan is the current Chairperson of YMDT, has a new band called 'Joey & the Basements' and enjoys hanging out with his daughter Adison in his free time.

Jasmine Duthie

Jasmine is the newest and youngest addition to the teaching team at YMDT, and is also an Associate Trustee. She has been in numerous bands since age 11 as a guitarist, bassist, singer and is now the drummer for Desolution Whim.  Two time veteran of Rockcamp, Jasmine is currently studying NCEA L3 music at Westland High School, and is set to move to Auckland in 2011 to begin her tertiary studies and plans to continue to teach music to support her studies. 

Orion Foote

In February of 2011, Orion was appointed Coordinator of the Youth & Music Development Trust. Orion came under the magic spell of 'La Guitarra' one day in the late 1970's while walking along a beach near Plimmerton on the Kapiti Coast . He decided to attend a folk guitar class at Wellington High School run by a tutor by the name of Bev Alty. He often wonders whatever happened to Mr Alty?. The very first song he learned to play was the old negro spiritual 'Oh Sinner Man'. Many years later he heard Nina Simone's version, and realised what a great song it was. In fact, it may well prove to be his 'swansong'.

He developed a passion for blues/rock based sounds in his late teens and got to play in several bands with other like-minded friends. A short stint at the 'School of Creative Musicianship' in Auckland during the mid 1980's ignited a love of Jazz/Improv based music, and for the next few years he came under the spell of jazz greats such as Wes Montgomerey, Kenny Burrell and Pat Martino. He thought he was doing 'pretty good' until he got to meet veteran Wellington guitar tutor Milton Parker, who inspired in him a passion for learning. This started him on the endless quest for divine musicality in all things, which still continues to this day.

During the early 1990's Orion went on to study classical guitar at the Wellington Polytechnic Conservatorium of Music with Matthew Marshall. Since then Orion has gone on to develop his own blend of many influences including blues,jazz, soul and gospel. In the last 3 or four years he has also become very interested in contemporary music of other cultures. He plays a Stratocaster utilizing a fingerstyle based tecnique, and couldn't possibly imagine a life without music. Nor does he have any intention of doing so.

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 Kate grew up in Timaru where she studied piano for many years.  She played the piano, flute and saxophone in various school orchestras and show bands.  Kate moved to Greymouth in 1994 to study Live Music and Show Business Production, or in other words 'Roadie School', at Tai Poutini Polytechnic.

Kate chose to become a YMDT trustee and band mentor because she believes the trust provides fabulous opportunities for young musicians on the coast from Whataroa to Karamea.

Kate's daughter has also been a trust member for a number of years and has played in various bands, met lots of inspiring artisits and has played a lot of gigs.

In Kate's own words 'I want to support YMDT so it can continue to support and nuture our youth'.