Ryan Peni
Soloist. Performer. Educator.
From concert halls to community stages, his performances fuse technical mastery with cultural depth.
Based in Aotearoa, New Zealand
EASTMAN Performing Artist
ABOUT
From Rotorua beginnings to international stages, Ryan Peni is reshaping the sound of the tuba.
With a fearless approach and deep cultural connection, his performances blend tradition and innovation.
Whether classical, jazz, or funk, Ryan pushes the boundaries of low brass music.
Discover the journey of a musician redefining his instrument’s role in modern sound.
He koha te pūoro mā te katoa ki te whakawhiti.
BREATHE
Ryan’s new book on breath, technique, and the mindset behind world class tuba playing.
BREATHE is written for brass players and students at every level. The exercises are graduated: accessible for beginners, building toward material that will challenge advanced players. Work at your level and come back to the harder exercises when you are ready.
Available on E-Book and Paperback - $25.00 NZD
(Postage and Packaging Additional)
Latest Release
Dis-Chord (best experienced with headphones or a kickass sound system)
Dark. Relentless. Uneasy.
Dis-Chord pulls you into a dystopian undercurrent, reflecting the tension and pulse of the world today.
Sombre tones are carried by a beat 'our lifeline' that refuses to stop. This will be best experienced through headphones, where the bass line slips and crosses from side to side, creating a warped, immersive contrast. This is the sound of movement: beauty and grit side by side, always pushing forward.
No plan. No idea. Just two hours on the clock and a dystopian world found!
FUNNK ! ! !
No plan. No idea. Just two hours on the clock and a groove waiting to happen.
What started as a random idea during a recording session turned into something fun, instinctive, and full of energy. Built from scratch with zero expectations, this track is pure experimentation. Raw, unpolished, and unapologetically funky.
Te Hīkoi o ngā Tipua (March of the Giants) began as a spark of spontaneous inspiration an image of a towering warrior charging through the forest, fierce in presence but guided by a light-hearted riff. This piece imagines a mythical march: a procession of Tipua, the supernatural beings of Māori tradition, striding through the whenua.
They are not monsters or villains but kaitiaki, guardians. Giants of the land, embodying strength, mana, and connection to Papatūānuku, our Earth Mother. The footsteps are heard in every note steady, deliberate, sometimes playful, always purposeful. The tuba becomes their voice, carrying the weight of their presence while allowing space for whimsy, character, and breath.
SOCIALS
Upcoming events
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BREATHE - Book Launch
30 August 2026
Pre-orders available
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Night at the Opera - Nelson Brass
5 September 2026
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MusicWorks - Soloist/Tutor - MEFA - Music Ensemble Festival Aotearoa - Wellington
21 - 25 September 2026