His music for choirs, orchestras, wind ensembles and chamber groups is performed around the world. He is the recipient of many international commissions. Born in Paris, France of New Zealand parents and educated in Australia and New Zealand, he holds a Master of Music degree with Honours from Auckland University, a Fellowship in Composition from Trinity College London, and a Teaching Licentiate in Piano from the same institution. He was Mozart Fellow at the University of Otago for 1994 and 1995 and Fulbright Composer in Residence at the Eastman School in New York in 1996-7.