Education
Conservatorio Vicente Emilio Sojo
Diploma in Piano and Saxophone
University of Auckland
Bachelor of Music (Composition and Sonic Arts)
Tihema Bennett
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Born in Wellington with Māori (Te Arawa, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaaue) and Irish ancestry, Tihema began playing piano at the age of 5, and by the age of 13 had also picked up guitar and saxophone. He played in a number of bands and music groups throughout his early years including Haast Eagle and Black Jacket Rabbit. In 2010, he composed his first television project- the documentary film Confessions of Prisoner T for Maori TV. At the age of 17, he moved to Barquisimeto, Venezuela for one year to attend the Conservatorio Vicente Emilio Sojo, a music Conservatorium where the likes of Gustavo Dudamel once studied. While in Venezuela he studied piano and saxophone and participated in a number of ensembles including the Barquisimeto Saxophone Ensemble and the Big Band Jazz group. Upon returning to New Zealand, he began studying a BMus in Composition at the University of Auckland and graduated in 2019. While at University he was working under the guidance of composers such as Eve DeCastro Robinson and Leonie Holmes. In 2019 he was nominated alongside the brilliant Joel Haines for Best Original Score at the NZTV Awards for their composition work on In Dark Places. In 2020, Tihema and Joel won the Gold Latitude Award for Best Original Score for In Dark Places in London. Tihema has composed music for projects from major NZ production companies such as South Pacific Pictures, 10 000 Company, Scottie Productions, and The Downlow Concept. His work has been featured in commercials for international companies such as Cisco Systems Inc., and Fletcher Building ltd. and in commercial campaigns featured on TVNZ 1, TVNZ 2, THREE, Maori TV, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube
Tihema currently resides in Auckland, New Zealand.