Market Musician Quinn Bessai

Hear Quinn in concert

Five Qualities of My Performances:

1. I love engaging with my audience which brings a new connection between myself and the listeners
2. My variety of skills in different genres brings an element of surprise to my solo work
3. I love seeing the impact of music on young people and am always encouraging younger people to learn musical instruments and explore their creativity in different ways
4. I think sharing art and keeping live music alive is extremely important and this motivates me in my performances
5. During the Market, I plan to make guest appearances of bands I am involved in: including Salted Peanut!

My Journey:

I first started learning musical instruments in 2017. I played the piano for many years but as I hit secondary school and the opportunities arose, I tried out other instruments like the clarinet, trombone, and guitar. Actually, I only began playing the electric bass in early 2023 and the double bass late 2023. The bass connected with me in a way that no other instrument had before and I knew I wanted continue playing for many years to come.

I attended Smokefree Rockquest in 2022 with my first band, Mondaze, and this year with my current band, Salted Peanut, in which I earned the Musicianship Award. Since then, I have continued playing in my school’s concert band and jazz band, with whom I’d performed in a mini Methven road show and at various school events such as the MHC Arts Evening, and was also involved in the 2024 Christchurch Schools Regional Orchestra who I performed with in Christchurch, Methven and Ashburton.

I plan to continue my performance music in uni starting next year at the University of Canterbury. Be on the lookout in Christchurch in 2025!

Quinn Bessai, 2024.