Benjamin is one of the co-founders of Ockham. He's packed a lot into his life so far – he grew up in Mt Wellington, read Mathematics and Economic History at Auckland University... buggered off overseas for two decades to live and work in Sydney, Johannesburg, London and Houston. Had a couple of kids. At the end of 2017 Benjamin moved home to Auckland, which has given him time to get the Ockham Collective happening.

Benjamin started playing music when his brother sent him an acoustic bass guitar for his 40th birthday and told him it was time. He switched to mandolin a year or so later – not only did it travel well but it was much easier to sing with!

+ What I can teach you?

I have a Masters in Education from Rice University, and was fortunate enough to teach mathematics and economics at a Montessori High School in Houston Texas for four years. So if you'd like to learn how to play mandolin or else play bluegrass music with others, I'd love to teach you. And if it's mathematics tuition you need, hit me up.

+ My teaching style

I love to work with the willing – those passionate about their learning and the learning process. Ideally they're looking for a guide and companion to explore new ideas and experiences alongside.

+ My first significant musical moment

I remember being taken as a child to see my uncle perform at Poles Apart, an Auckland Folk Festival???, and suddenly being struck at what a beautiful singer and songwriter he was. It was a little bit of a thunderbolt moment. My more recent musical awakening happened while living in the US where I got interested in American Roots music – bluegrass, old-timey, Western Swing, blues, folk, country, jazz, trad... I couldn't get enough!

+ Most enduring influence

For me, it would have to be John Prine. He's just a giant amoungst troubadours, up there with Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Townes van Zandt, Guy Clark and Gillian Welch. He died in April 2020 of complications from Covid-19 and the tributes from the greats say it all. “He wrote music of towering compassion with an almost unheard-of precision and creativity when it came to observing the fine details of ordinary lives,” said Bruce Springsteen. “These were songs that no one else was writing, filled with details that only Prine’s eye or ear caught,” added Elvis Costello. “The songs were filled with what sounded like sound advice from a friend in a crowded bar, or a voice in the margins, but never one that was self-pitying or self-regarding.” Yes, I’m a massive fan – and you should be too. Read this obit from Rolling Stone – and then check out some of his finest songs. You’ll be converted inside 10 minutes!

+ Most thrilling gig I've played

I've been lucky enough to play with friends at a couple of venues around Auckland and in the US. I get nervous playing in front of other people so I'm not sure if thrilling is the right word...

+ Who I’d most like to jam with

I'd love to play with The Wood Brothers – they're just the finest trio out there and they're one of the bands that drew me into the Americana genre. We'd play Telluride's Sheridan Opera House of course!

+ Fave YouTube clips

The folks from 3Blue1Brown did an amazing video on what makes music harmonious and measure theory. They also have another on decomposing chords using Fourier transforms. This is the sort of stuff I love to geek out on!

Testimonials

Hey, Mr Preston. Was just doing some calculus homework and thought of you. I've just started my freshman year at Tulane after a year abroad in Seville, Spain. As per your advice, I'm taking intro to macroeconomics even though I placed out of it with my IB scores. It's a great refresher course, and I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that the concepts have stuck with me even after a year without opening an econ textbook. Calculus is coming back to me less easily, but it is coming back. Given that my professor, doubtless an extremely gifted mathematician, is unable to explain anything in simple terms and is prone to going off on tangents about things like the personal lives of Euler and Descartes... I wanted to thank you for your lessons. Rather than having to try to listen and figure out what this professor is saying, I just have to watch what he's doing, take a look at the homework, and re-teach myself the concepts you already taught me. Thank you! > Harry, New Orleans