Richie Pickard
Richie graduated with Honours in Jazz performance from the University of Canterbury in 2005 and has played extensively throughout New Zealand and globally in a range of formats.
As both an electric and double bass player he has performed with international artists including Josh Groban, Elaine Paige and Mary Coughlan and with some of New Zealand’s top musicians, bands, and songwriters including Breaks Co-op, Julia Deans, Dave Dobbyn, Sol3mio, Kevin Field, Anika Moa and Annie Crummer.
Richie’s recording credits include work with Julia Deans, The Eastern, Hawkins, Paul McLaney, Ed Waaka, Oval Office and, most extensively, with songwriter, Nadia Reid, whom he has recorded and performed with for the past 15 years and recently toured with through Europe and the UK.
Theatre and television credits include work on ‘Mahana’ film soundtrack, X Factor NZ, Dancing with the Stars and the World of Wearable Arts Festival.
Most recently, Richie has performed in ‘& Juliet’ for Amici productions, ‘Charlie & the Chocolate Factory' and ‘Come from Away’ with Showbiz Christchurch, and 'Strictly Ballroom' for the Court Theatre.
Gabriel Baird
Gabriel Baird is a musician working in Christchurch. He is the Associate Principal Bassoonist of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Accompanist at the University of Canterbury.
Gabriel has had a long association with Enchanting Productions having been the Accompanist for The Secret Garden: Spring Edition, Bassoonist in our Mark Dorrell-led band for A Little Night Music, Music Arranger and Bassoonist for Paul Graham Brown's Fairystories, and now Music Arranger and Director for Sweet William.
Gabriel has also been the Music Director for musicals with MUSOC at the University of Canterbury.
