This year’s YAMI SouNZ Summit will feature tutors from top New Zealand bands including The Beths, The Veils, Shapeshifter, Team Dynamite, Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Nomad and more.

With a second round of tutors to be announced in March, YAMI SouNZ Summit director Lynne Christie is “ecstatic” with the range of tutors already confirmed.

“Some of these amazingly generous tutors are back for their sixth summit,” Lynne said. 

“Their commitment and ability to effectively pass on their knowledge to the next tribe of creatives is astounding.”

This year’s tutors will include band members from groups including The Beths, pictured. PHOTO: Frances Carter

The YAMI Sounz Summit, which returns to Wānaka in May during NZ Music Month, is a weekend of workshops, seminars and showcases where artists and industry professionals share their experiences and advice on how to make it in the music industry.

Participants work alongside the tutors during the summit, with some getting the opportunity to perform with their idols at the final night’s public showcase. 

Lucky attendees from previous summits got to share the stage with such heavy-hitters as Ladi6, Jon Toogood, Moana Maniapoto, Troy Kingi, Tali, Tiki Taane, Trinity Roots and Dave Dobbyn, among others.

Troy Kingi and Delaney Davidson in rehearsal with Yami students in 2021. PHOTO: Ray Tiddy Photography

Taite Music Prize winner Anthonie Tonnon has also confirmed he will be attending this year. 

“I’m super excited to be involved, and really looking forward to seeing YAMI for the first time.” 

YAMI SouNZ Summit event manager Celine Van der Eecken says a main aim of YAMI to help prepare participants for a range of careers within the music industry, whether as “instrumentalists, managers, engineers, roadies, bands, producers, promoters - or roles which don’t even exist yet”.

More than 70 percent of places are already taken, and YAMI is looking to host around 150 people over the weekend of May 6-7.

Find more information here.