Second-year music student tours worldwide

Felix Holton is in his second year of study of his Bachelor of Commercial Music, but his musical talents are already taking him around the world.

After attending an Open Day at Massey, Felix found out that scholarships were available for the Music Practice major. In Music Practice, students study musicianship and performance with an instrument or musical interface of their choice.

After applying online, he was shortlisted and had to submit a three-minute video of himself playing his instrument, the drums. “A piece of my drum kit actually broke during the filming process so I ended up having to submit my soundcheck, just playing around on the kit. I was very fortunate to then receive the scholarship!”

For Felix, receiving the scholarship has substantially helped him financially, and helped to make relationships within the course. He credits the contacts he has made while studying music as helping to establish himself within the music industry as a drummer.

“I currently play in a Wellington-based band called STINK and play drums for New Zealand artist Benee. This year I have toured internationally with Benee, travelling all over Europe and America. The next few months we are doing Australia and also most of America both on her headline tours and as a supporting act!”

His future plans include writing and performing with STINK and continuing to ride the international success of Benee. Felix is set to perform with Benee in the USA this month, and may be back in New Zealand for the New Zealand music awards, where Benee is nominated for four awards: Best Solo Artist, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Best Pop Artist and Single of the Year.

Applications for the Commercial Music Scholarship close on 31 October 2019