Multi-instrumentalist Murray Mason has had a passionate, enthusiastic and action-packed career in music education that spans 35 years as a performer, high school Head of Music, guitar and bass teacher and classroom teacher. In addition Murray has been Musical Director of a vast number of successful and award-winning youth-based and adult musical groups including Big Bands, Jazz Combos, Rock Groups, Percussion Ensembles, Saxophone Ensembles, Guitar Ensembles, Barbershop Choruses, Orchestras and Musical Theatre productions.Big Bands under his direction have won the New Zealand National Youth Jazz Band Title a total of 6 times. Jazz Combos trained by Murray have won the National Title 3 times in the last 6 years and in fact, in 2011, groups trained by Murray won both the Big Band and Combo sections at the New Zealand Championships.At present Murray is Performance Music Teacher at Tauranga Girls’ College and Musical Director for what is recognised as New Zealand’s top regional big band, Tauranga Big Band. He operates his own recording studio, FAT DOG STUDIO from his home in Welcome Bay, Tauranga where he writes and records guitar ensembles for his webste FATDOGMUSIC. His present dog (Holly), unlike her much-loved predecessor, is healthy, fit and not particularly fat, but by constantly and conscientiously supplementing her diet with stolen avocados, walnuts and macadamia nuts, she has the potential to become a four-legged blimp.