Jonathon Tressler
Bachelor Music Arts(L7), Dip Tchg Lrn
Performer, Teacher and Manager of The Beat Studios
With over 30 years of drumming experience, Jonathon Tressler is a dedicated performer, teacher, and lifelong learner whose passion for music has taken him from pipe bands to orchestral stages and contemporary bands.
Jonathon has dedicated a lifetime to his instruments and to his drum/percussion students. He has vast experience as a percussion performer and teacher. He began drumming as a teenager in an Invercargill Pipe Band and later with a metal covers band. Jonathon gained his bachelor’s degree at the then CPIT now Ara Jazz School, performing in various jazz and funk bands. Following this he gained a teaching diploma from Christchurch Teacher’s College, which laid the foundation for his educational career.
In 1999 while travelling in the UK Jonathon was introduced to the Drumsense program founded by Colin Woolway. Subsequently Jonathon brought the Drumsense Program to New Zealand.
Jonathon has been teaching drums and percussion in secondary schools around Canterbury for over 25 years. He is part of the Forte Itinerant Music teaching team based at Hagley College Christchurch, employed by the Ministry Of Education. Many of Jonathon’s students have gone on to reach their musical goals due to his dedication and excellence in teaching.
Over the past decade Jonathon has branched into the orchestral scene, achieving his Trinity College ATCL and LTCL qualification in percussion performance. For 7 years he played in the Christchurch Philharmonic Orchestra, becoming principle percussionist. Currently Jonathon has returned to contemporary style music playing originals with, The Kay Duncan Band and covers band Sign of the Firebird.
The Beat Studios have a proven record of outstanding results in the Trinity College classical/jazz and Rock and Pop examinations. Jonathon encourages students to use these examinations as goals – stepping stones to excellence in performance of their chosen instrument. The Drumsense Program has remained an excellent teaching programme, and has proven over time to be a pathway for the success of countless students. Many educators have adopted this teaching method, which Jonathon continues to build upon, aligning it with the Trinity College Rock & Pop and Trinity College Classical Jazz syllabus.
In recent years Jonathon has developed his skills in orchestral percussion playing with a focus on 4 mallet marimba. He has been refining these skills by playing percussion in a number of brass bands and orchestras around Canterbury. This has enabled him to offer percussion lessons at The Beat Studios with a new purpose built percussion studio being added on beside the current drum studio at the start of 2017.
Performances Across Genres
Jonathon’s performance career spans a diverse range of styles and ensembles:
- Hot Blooded (Invercargill metal covers band, early 1990s)
- Funk and jazz bands during his time at jazz school (mid‑1990s)
- Oyster (rock covers band that released original EP Half a Dozen)
- Covers bands Scarecrow and The Waltons
- Co‑founder of Mothership with Jackie Williams (early 2000s)
- Talita Summer Band – Album recording and performance on Good Morning Show
- Recording and live performances with numerous Christchurch bands, including a live album at Baileys Bar (pre-earthquakes)
Classical Percussion & Academic Achievements
- In 2015, Jonathon began intensive classical percussion studies—with local teachers and then under Justin DeHart, UC Senior Lecturer.
- He served as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Canterbury (UC) for five years, performing with the UC Percussion Ensemble.
- During this tenure, he achieved the ATCL and LTCL in Percussion Performance from Trinity College London.
- He also performed as Principal Percussionist with the Canterbury Philharmonic Orchestra (7 years), and performed regularly with the Resonance Orchestra.
- Joined the professional percussion ensemble Pandemonium for the 40th anniversary Repercussion concert.
Contemporary Projects
Returning to contemporary music, Jonathon currently performs with:
- The Kay Duncan Band – A Vibrant originals ensemble blending blues, folk, pop, and funk.
- Sign of the Firebird – A dynamic covers band known for its energizing live shows.
Ongoing Development & Studio Leadership
Jonathon is a life long learner with a dedication and passion for music across many genres. His diverse expertise makes him a unique and versatile educator. As founder and lead educator at The Beat Music Studios, Jonathon and his team bring a rich combination of performance experience and teaching expertise, helping students of all levels unlock their musical potential and elevate their drumming.
Throughout the past twenty years Jonathon has provided a private teaching service through his business The Beat Studios, and has overseen a growing business, including other teachers. To maintain this high standard and success Jonathon commits himself to rigorous daily practice and ongoing study.
Ash Perry
BA (Psychology & Music), GradDipMus, MMusTher (in progress)
Teacher and Performer
Ash began drumming at age 14, learning first from his father before taking formal lessons at high school. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Music, a Graduate Diploma in Music from the University of Canterbury, and is currently completing a Master of Music Therapy at Victoria University of Wellington.
Through his training as a music therapist, Ash has worked with a wide range of people and has a particular focus on rangatahi (youth) and individuals living with disabilities. Alongside his teaching, he has extensive performance experience on the drum kit, most recently with the original band Somebody Do Something (Spotify), touring and recording across New Zealand.
Ash enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for drumming with students at The Beat Studios.
Finley Tressler
Teacher and Performer
Finley is a 2025 graduate of Burnside High School, where he was named Top Contemporary Musician, placing first in Contemporary Music and receiving the Contemporary Cup. He was also part of the SMP Jazz program and won 1st place in the Jazz Band-It Drum Improvisation competition in Wellington in September 2025.
Finley’s rock band, Equilibrium, claimed 1st place at the 2025 National Rockquest Finals in Auckland, winning a grand prize of $10,000 from Rockshop and a $5,000 recording grant to produce a single and music video.
The band has built a strong following with over 10,000 Instagram followers and more than 2 million video views. You can find them at @equilibriumband and follow Finley’s personal drumming journey at @finleydrums.
For the past two years, Finley has also been teaching drum students every Saturday morning, developing his teaching craft under the mentorship of his father.
In 2025, Finley was awarded a $10,000 NZD scholarship to attend the Berklee College of Music Summer School in Boston, and in 2026 he will travel to Washington DC on a full scholarship to attend the Mid Atlantic Drum Camp, led by world-renowned drummer Matt Garstka (Animals as Leaders) with special guest tutor Larnell Lewis (Snarky Puppy).
