Arjuna Oakes Performs

Multi-talented Arjuna Oakes was in Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand’s National Shakespeare Schools Production week in 2016. He wrote of his week there: “The fact that the people around me were so passionate about acting and music like myself inspired me in many ways. During the week, I wrote a dozen ideas on piano, including two complete songs. For months I had been writing furiously without success and suddenly in this environment I struck gold. It also has helped me socially.” Arjuna played the roles of Mark Antony and Lucius in Julius Caesar. Although selected to be a member of SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company, he turned down the opportunity, as the timing conflicted with his music studies.

Playing music since a young age, this 20-year-old Singer-Songwriter and Jazz Pianist already has more than 13 years under his belt as a performer. He has played at Auckland's Music in the Park series in the Domain, performed live on RNZ radio with Jesse Mulligan, played corporate gigs in Auckland’s Spark Arena, and recently has toured as the Keyboardist for The Shambles. Being inspired by many different music genres, Arjuna hopes to create and perform music that is both enjoyable and unique.