Wellington drummer Lauren Ellis is drummer in Rodger Fox Wellington Jazz Orchestra. She’s one of only two women in the band.



After hounding her parents for drum lessons, which she began at age 11 in her hometown of Tauranga, Lauren Ellis went on to play in Otumoetai College's jazz band.



During her final year of high school, Lauren Ellis successfully auditioned for the School of Music and moved to Wellington in 2008 to take up her studies, which saw her perform with the School’s top big band.



In 2011 Lauren Ellis graduated with a Bachelor of Music majoring in jazz performance and specialising in drumming. She achieved her degree with the highest academic honour of distinction.



Upon the completion of her studies Lauren Ellis became the substitute drummer for the Wellington Jazz Orchestra for two years. Then last December she received the phone call of a lifetime from Rodger Fox, offering her the position of the band’s permanent drummer. The call has undoubtedly shaped the future direction of her career.



Outside of her work with the Rodger Fox Wellington Jazz Orchestra, Lauren Ellis is inspiring the next generation of jazz drummers through a busy teaching schedule. She offers private tuition, works as an itinerant teacher at local schools and also teaches at the New Zealand High Schools January Jazz Workshops - the very workshops that helped kick-start her own career.