Justin Firefly Clarke is a composer, guitarist, producer, arranger, and songwriter working across jazz, classical, urban/indie, and traditional/folk-based practices—especially drawing on India, the Balkans, Ethiopia, and Greece. He brings care, clarity, and vision to composition and performance while staying open to discovery and alternative approaches. Collaboration is central to his practice, with a strong emphasis on intercultural connection and trust-building across aesthetic and cultural boundaries. His project Shades of Shakti has toured nationally in New Zealand and has been presented at major cultural events. He is currently completing a DMA (doctoral study) focused on electric guitar in acoustic and orchestral contexts, exploring textural and atmospheric approaches to embed the guitar’s voice within ensemble and orchestra settings.…

Justin Firefly Clarke

Justin Firefly Clarke is a composer, guitarist, producer, arranger, and songwriter working across jazz, classical, urban/indie, and traditional/folk-based practices—especially drawing on India, the Balkans, Ethiopia, and Greece. He brings care, clarity, and vision to composition and performance while staying open to discovery and alternative approaches. Collaboration is central to his practice, with a strong emphasis on intercultural connection and trust-building across aesthetic and cultural boundaries. His project Shades of Shakti has toured nationally in New Zealand and has been presented at major cultural events. He is currently completing a DMA (doctoral study) focused on electric guitar in acoustic and orchestral contexts, exploring textural and atmospheric approaches to embed the guitar’s voice within ensemble and orchestra settings.…

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Justin Firefly Clarke is a composer, guitarist, producer, arranger, and songwriter working across jazz, classical, urban/indie, and traditional/folk-based practices—especially drawing on India, the Balkans, Ethiopia, and Greece. He brings care, clarity, and vision to composition and performance while staying open to discovery and alternative approaches.

Collaboration is central to his practice, with a strong emphasis on intercultural connection and trust-building across aesthetic and cultural boundaries. His project Shades of Shakti has toured nationally in New Zealand and has been presented at major cultural events. He is currently completing a DMA (doctoral study) focused on electric guitar in acoustic and orchestral contexts, exploring textural and atmospheric approaches to embed the guitar’s voice within ensemble and orchestra settings.

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Language

English
Fluent
German
Intermediate

Work Experience

Composer / Performer (electric guitar ensemble with conductor) at Hamilton Arts Festival (silent-film soundtrack commissions)
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Created and performed original soundtracks for four electric guitars and conductor to accompany iconic silent-era short films, presented live with ensemble coordination.
Composer / Performer (multimedia electric guitar works) at Lōemis Winter Festival and related venues
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Composed and performed original works for electric guitar and ensemble/string quartet contexts, including multiple commissioned pieces performed at Löemis.
Musician / Composer / Guitarist (touring artist) at Bret McKenzie (and associated touring projects)
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2026
Toured internationally and performed as part of Bret McKenzie’s touring projects and productions, including headline performances and major festival appearances.
Session Musician (guitar/arrangements) for screen and promotional media at Various film, TV, and advertising productions (e.g., SpongeBob, Simpsons, campaign work)
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2022
Provided guitar and musical contributions for film/TV soundtracks and advertising campaigns, including production, composition support, and session performance.
Project Manager / Producer (intercultural collaboration project) at The Firefly Collaboration Project
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2012
Built and managed cross-cultural collaborations connecting musicians from Japan, Australia, and New Zealand; supported premieres and touring activity tied to funded artistic exchange.
Bandleader / Musical director / Guitarist / Producer at Shades of Shakti (intercultural project)
January 1, 2010 - Present
Led the intercultural ensemble and project, composing and arranging original works for performances and tours with leading Indian and New Zealand musicians. Included major national touring seasons and staged performances featuring composed lighting and live sonic augmentation (for specific works).
Composer / Producer / Guitarist at Jess Chambers and the Firefly Orchestra; Woolshed Sessions
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2009
Produced, performed, arranged, and recorded projects including album releases and sessions. Worked across songwriting, guitar performance, production, and arrangement responsibilities.
Musician at Firefly Music Ltd
August 1, 1998 - Present
I've worked with numerous ensembles internationally over this time
Guitar Teacher / Workshop facilitator at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music (Massey/Victoria) and schools (various)
January 1, 1997 - Present
Taught guitar and supervised combos, delivered workshops for students of varied backgrounds and levels, supported classical and jazz exam preparation, auditions, and NCEA preparation.

Education

Master of Musical Arts at Victoria University
March 1, 2011 - October 1, 2011
Specialising in soundtracks for film
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Music Composition at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington
March 1, 2022 - August 1, 2026
Master of Musical Arts (Music Composition) at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music (Massey University/Victoria University)
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2012
Post Graduate Diploma: Music Composition at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music (Massey University/Victoria University)
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2010
Graduate Diploma: Music Composition at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music (Massey University/Victoria University)
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2009
Bachelor of Music: Performance (Jazz Guitar) at Conservatorium of Music, Massey University
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1998
Diploma in Executant Music (Performance Jazz Guitar) at Wellington Polytechnic / Wellington Polytechnic (as listed)
January 1, 1996 - January 1, 1997

Qualifications

Post Graduate Diploma of Music
March 1, 2009 - August 1, 2010
In classical composition
Wellington Scholarship
March 1, 2022 - August 1, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization
    Flashpoint :: Synapse

    Flashpoint :: Synapse is an arresting new suite of music by Justin Firefly Clarke that delves into human perception and the formation of impressions and memories. Performed against a backdrop of total darkness, musicians are illuminated by a synchronised array of lights that focus on each individual performer.

    Presented during Matariki, it’s a deeply immersive experience that sets up a series of interconnected cycles, much like memories, that fade, recur and are sometimes also lost altogether.

    Producer and arranger of Jess Chambers and the Firefly Orchestra

    As well as producing Jess Chambers during this period, Justin also toured with her extensively from 2007-2010

    https://www.twine.net/signin

    Guitarist with Bret McKenzie (from Flight of the Conchords)

    Touring and recording guitarist for many of Bret McKenzie’s projects, including Retrospectacle (with the Muppets, Sesame Street and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra), The Simpsons and SpongeBob sessions, The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil (with a cast from London’s National Theatre), and multiple international tours.