Tim Sellars

Tim Sellars is a drummer and percussionist who thrives at playing in a range of settings and bands. He has a Bachelor of Music with Honours in Jazz Performance and a Diploma in Teaching and Learning; both from the University of Canterbury. During his Honours degree, he received the Michael Toovey prize for Outstanding Merit.

Tim plays a variety of styles which include jazz, theatre, pop and world percussion. Tim has performed with a range of artists including Mary Coughlan, Roger Manins, Thomas Marriott, Roger Fox, Ali Harper, Fiona Pears and Francisco Torres. Hehas played numerous shows with the Christchurch Symposium Big Band, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and can be heard on a diverse selection of albums; including recordings with well known New Zealand artists Ali Harper, Anna Whitaker and Fiona Pears. He has played at numerous festivals including the Christchurch Jazz festival, Queenstown Winter Festival, Nelson Jazz Festival, Tauranga Jazz Festival, Nostalgia Festival, Waipara Wine and Food Festival, and the Creative Jazz Collective and Wellington Jazz Collective series in Auckland and Wellington.

World percussion has become a strong focus for Tim over the years. Middle Eastern, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Indian and African percussion instruments have enthused Tim, and he has enjoyed experimenting with them in both traditional and fusion settings. He is leader of World Band Mukhlisa which focuses on his Middle-Eastern percussion instruments in combination with flute, double bass, and guitar. Mukhlisa released their debut album The Puzzle at the 2017 International Jazz and Blues Festival in Christchurch. 

Tim spent two years travelling around the world working for Holland America Cruise Lines where he played in the Showband and the Jazz Trio. He continues to do smaller contracts for P&O Cruise Lines with Rock 'n' Roll band The Goldonies who were initially formed for the show One Man, Two Guvnorsat The Court Theatre.

Tim has played in musicals for The Court Theatre, NASDA and Showbiz Christchurch. His Court Theatre credits include Cabaret; Grease; One Man, Two Guvnors; Legally Blonde the Musical; Songs for Nobodies andChicago. His other show highlights include Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Mamma Mia!; Spamalot; Hairspray; Avenue Q; Evita; Priscilla Queen of the Desert; Working; Little Woman; Once On This Island and Sister Act.

Aside from performing, Tim is also a member of the Forte Itinerant teaching unit at Hagley College teaching drums and percussion. He enjoys passing on his knowledge to keen learners and watching them develop into strong performers.