Yair Katz is an experienced, professional musician, and a registered music therapist. Yair grew up in Israel, and was passionate about music from a very young age. As a teenager Yair performed at festivals and events, and worked as a youth leader. Yair spent several years during his 20s travelling around the world, before settling in New Zealand. He studied musicology, philosophy and psychology, and initially worked as a mental health support worker, before pursuing a career in music therapy.
In 2012 Yair received his Masters from Victoria University in Wellington. He worked at the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre in Auckland between 2011-2018, supporting people of all ages both at schools and within the community. Yair has presented his work at open days and conferences, and mentored students as part of his professional work at the centre.
In addition to his work as a music therapist Yair worked as a music tutor for drums, percussion, guitar and singing.
As a musician, Yair maintained a high profile in recording and performing. He appears in approximately 25 official albums as a drummer/percussionist, and has performed at international music festivals including WOMAD, in a wide range of musical styles.
Between 2015-2018 Yair released 3 albums as composer and drummer/vocalist with the group ‘MidweekTonic’.
Yair and his family moved to St. Leonards-on-sea in July 2018.