A seasoned musician with over 20 years experience in the music industry, Andy Mauafua has proven to be one of the busiest and most in-demand musicians in New Zealand. He has worked with some of New Zealand's leading recording artists such as Aaradhna, Brooke Fraser, Ardijah, Iva Lamkum, Sweet & Irie, Bella Kalolo, Jon Stevens, Deva Mahal (daughter of American blues legend Taj Mahal), and Texan singer-songwriter, Ginger Leigh.
Andy's musical journey began at 8 years of age when he began classical piano. By age 11 he switched to guitar after seeing a live clip of the great Jimi Hendrix on TV which inspired him to learn blues and rock guitar. From that point on the guitar became Andy's main instrument of study.
Andy's interest in music began taking a more serious turn when he was a student at Aotea College where he played piano for the school choir and guitar for the school band. While there Andy received the 'Outstanding Service to Music Award' three years in a row for his never-ending commitment to various music activities at the college.
After leaving college Andy enrolled in the Parumoana Polytechnic music programme (now known as Whitireia School of Music). While there he was taught by acclaimed New Zealand jazz guitarist, Leigh Jackson, and was educated in all aspects of professional music. Andy went on to earn his Diploma in Contemporary Music Studies from Whitireia Polytechnic.
Andy has played the international band circuit throughout Asia with the Hard Rock Cafe and Hilton Hotel chains in places like Beijing, China; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia.
Andy currently teaches guitar, band workshop, and professional studies at the Whitireia School of Music in Porirua. He has also lectured at the New Zealand School of Music where he taught Music Business.
Outside of teaching Andy does mentoring and consulting for emerging music artists with his business NZ Music Careers. A service specifically designed to help musicians achieve their career goals.
In 2005 Andy travelled to the US to study guitar and professional music performance at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. While there he was one of a select few that year to be awarded Berklee's coveted 'World Scholarship'.
Berklee are well known as one of the leading contemporary music schools in the world today and their illustrious alumni include legendary producers Quincy Jones and Arif Mardin, singer-songwriters John Mayer and Melissa Etheridge, guitarists Steve Vai and Pat Metheny, jazz artists Diana Krall and Branford Marsalis, and film composers Howard Shore ("The Lord of the Rings"), Alf Clausen ("The Simpsons"), and Alan Silvestri ("Back to the Future" and "Forrest Gump").
