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I started playing guitar at the age of 16, obtaining training through a guitar school and private lessons.
After high school, I was admitted and started my study (jazz) guitar at the Rotterdam Conservatory, at what is now known as the Jazz Academy. I had the honor and pleasure to study there under Klaus Flenter, a well renowned jazz guitar player.This included masterclasses with the famous Joe Pass, besides, John Scofield, Michael Brecker, Ray Brown, and (guitar) masterclasses Garrison Fewell, Peter Leitch and others. Subsequent to jazz school I went through law school and became a LL.M Despite pursuing a career in the corporate world, music has always stayed a parallel career, as a musician and tutor running a private practice of up to 36 (1/hr a week). Students have ended up on different conservatories in the Netherlands and other European countries, as well as the GIT (Guitar Institute of Technology) in the USA and more recently CPIT in Christchurch.
Over the years I have been playing as a free lance guitarist and played with (smaller) bands as well as playing in a wide range of bands and jazz ensembles in the Netherlands and New Zealand. Styles ranged from quiet solo jazz guitar to alternative rock and metal. I am fluent and knowledgeable in a wide range of contemporary styles.In New Zealand I have been playing in various settings, solo-jazz guitar, duo settings and larger groups. I am a (lead guitar) member of the music team at Harmony Church and have played with Christian artists such as Bob Fitts, Sean Feucht, Karen Lafferty.
Current projects include writing and recording a solo contemplative/meditative guitar album, hymns for solo guitar. and writing a guitar-method.
Personal interests include but are not limited to God, family, photography.cooking, reading, learning, social internet, music.
Over the years (former-)colleagues and clients have been so kind to provide endorsements and references, a small selection is posted below.
I came to John with about 30 years of being self taught (kicked off by 1/2 dozen group lessons at age 18).
Having dabbled in a range of methods from finger style to conventional rock/pop/blues using books DVD’s and YouTube, I had reached a plateau in my DIY approach to learning (and in-grained a number of poor techniques!).
I now appreciate how critical it is to have a good teacher who can head off any incorrect techniques or approaches before they become limitations!
My goal is to progress as a “student” of jazz music (an awesome journey!).
John is a very accomplished musician and this coupled with his patience and creativity equips him with the ability to get to the root cause of any problems, and then follow through with solutions! This sets him apart as a teacher.
Also, there are very few players I have observed that can do what he does, playing any style! very inspiring!
A revelation for me has been learning the critical role of the right-hand in timing and feel. “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing!” I am now convinced that anything is possible with the right teacher and consistent approach to practice.
I highly recommend John to anyone looking to learn and improve their guitar technique and musical ability.
As the young folk would say, “Awesome!”
Rapt Student : Alan Provan.
There has never been a time when I haven’t enjoyed one of John’s guitar lessons. John is friendly, funny and accommodating and the classes are always up close and personal; even more so because he seems to enjoy the classes just as much as the student. He inspires, encourages and keeps you interested in your guitar playing. I’ve never left one of his lessons wanting to do anything other than play guitar. He’s willing to teach you to play anything from Frank Sinatra to Slipknot to Justin Beiber and anything in between. (Although getting him to teach you Justin Beiber might require some nagging). All jokes aside, John Dierckx is an excellent down to earth teacher and I have never had better.Kent Date, Taipeh/Christchurch
John is a really nice teacher and when I was sad he helped me and comforted me. He is a really nice teacher and helps me to learn to play the guitar. If anyone wanted to play guitar I would recommend John because he is the best!!! Zachery Abraas, Christchurch
John has been teaching me guitar for only a short time. I find him very easy to communicate with and learn from. If he thinks I am having a difficulty in absorbing stuff he doesn’t push me too far. I have learned a lot in a short time from him and I put it down to his easy going attitude and his ability to keep your attention during a lesson.I enjoy my lessons every Friday and hope John will be able to keep tutoring me for a good while yet.
Thank you
John ThomsonBlue Gum Lodge Motel
Hey John,I started listening to your music,and could not stop.Beautiful phrasing,chord melody solos ala Wes.Really Great feel,Sincerly,Carmine D'Amico I will be back to hear more,PEACE. Carmen D'Amico holder of 16 Grammy Awards
You chord melodies are really cool. Your playing reminds me very much of Joe Pass, who I'm sure you probably listen to a lot. After all, you can't really play solo jazz guitar without being influenced by him. I can also hear that you have your own style too. So far I've only scratched the surface, since you have a ton of music on here, but I look forward to hearing more. Brian Healey
Aye papa! First of all, thank you for comin back to my board! It's means a lot to me! Second of all, that cry of love take 1 is amazing, you captured so many different emotions on different levels. Stay tearin up the chords. *RispettoLove Life, Jazzy
nice chord melodies on beautiful love,keep up the good work! Darryl Johnson A great US Piano player and Composer
Theres some cool stuff here man!...looking forward to doing some more serious composing together to stretch us both!...it will be cool!.JCJohn Castellain, recording artist, record label
Hi John. .. I really like Cosmic Explosion that you did with John Castellain. That song rips! Your other stuff is awesome too. Would you be interested in jamming on some trax? Let me know... It could be greatness!
Robbi Spencer
Not enough of this type of playing around in the world. Good stuff. Peter Kossists
John..... WOW....WOW....WOW... Listening to "Days of Wine and Roses as I'm typing this.. Just so nice. Like you, I'm an absolute over old school jazz guitar... Man... Just so nice, and I'm adding you to my favorites...Thanks so much for sharing your music with the group...See Ya, Tal... Rolland Harrison
I really liked your interpretation of ‘Autumn Leaves' and decided to put it in my own station. Do you play much around there?I'm from Rio and I keep giggin' here as possible. Regards. Fernando Hungria
"I am most impressed with your expert approach ... Your work has been most helpful" (Michael Guest, Former Judge South Island 2006)
"John is an absolute phenomenon in the area of crime investigations and forensics. But above all, he is a friend for life and one of the most honest, driven, talented and humoristic persons one could imagine. Highly recommended."Jeroen van der Reijken, Account Manager/Security Specialist at Verizon Business
"Being involved in one of the most complex matrimonial settlements ever has resulted in the necessity for me to deal with lawyers, accountants, bank managers, judges, bank ombudsman, the NZ Accountants Society and the Inland Revenue.
The success of my case relies heavily on traditional expertise in numerous areas. However, until the information from each of these areas was analysed and merged by you, into understandable and chronological order, progress was impossible.
I can state without a doubt that your experience and proficiency are indisputably the foundation of advancement in my case for fair matrimonial settlement and fair child support. In addition to that, your work has contributed to the likelihood of further fraud exposure and tax evasion.
The colossal amount of information from eight different entities (Trusts and Companies) needing to be analysed then amalgamated into concise affidavits and verbal statements has been accomplished by you consistently throughout the past three years of this battle to bring the facts into light to be re-examined under the law.
Appreciation of your multifaceted skills and respect for your comprehensive experience can not be expressed enough. Without your leading contribution to unraveling account discrepancies dispersed with fraud and deception, I could never start to establish what has actually taken place financially.
Your talent of extracting the facts from colossal amounts of various sets of information is nothing less than remarkable."
Tammie Fraser, Timaru, New ZealandMarch 2009
"John brings a razor sharp, analytical focus to everything that he does. If you have an seemingly intractable problem with no obvious solution in site, John is the man to consult. He has tremendous expertise in the analysis and resolution of very difficult situations with the best interests of all parties always in mind. I cannot recommend John highly enough, I am convinced that no situation is beyond his abilities to resolve."
David Alexander, Social Engineering Specialist, Trainer Speaker, Mercury Advisers
"John and I met on Ecademy and we have now formed a real alliance because we have identified a great deal of synergy about the way we think and the way we do business. His expertise in his field of business system risk management and fraud investigation is outstanding. His commitment to training business owners in how to recognize and protect themselves from fraud in its many forms is the reason he has joined bizlearn.biz as a contributor and will be offering his insight online to our members. I recommend you subscribe to his newsletter at www.arcisfdec.com because it is the best thing I have read recently on this topic."
Michael Taplin, founder of Bizlearn.biz
"... the delegates were very impressed by your presentation ... they have clearly benefited from your presentation and interesting thoughts. Some delegates commented that your presentation was thought provoking, very detailed and structured... clear and concise, you have extremely good knowledge of the topic, coupled with your relaxed presentation style..." Norazlina Manap, Asia Business Forum
"I highly recommend John Dierckx as a person you should do business with. John is of highest ethical character and is exceptionally qualified in many different disciplines; law, music, philosophy, writing, and in fact, anything intellectually challenging is of interest to John. I call John "the machine" because of the speed at which he can crank out work in incredible depth, which most people cannot do, even if given a month. Unlike many others in the legal profession, John focuses on results rather than on hours billed, and despite his rough-looking exterior, he is compassionate and often does work for clients at reduced rates if they are in financial distress. John is also a family man, with a lovely wife and 3 young children. I have been treated like a member of the family when a guest in their home, even though I have only know John for a few years. John is also very personable with a quick wit and can be quite entertaining. So if John contacts you about doing a deal, take the deal and ask questions later. You won't regret it."
Brad Ritchey, former client, now business partner at ARCIS
"John is an expert in his field, a consummate professional, a dedicated trouble shooter, an exemplary networker, a generous business cohort and a visionary for what may be in the new technological virtual business world. A joy to work with, always courteous no matter what the hour or the task in hand, he gives 110 percent focus and provides exacting solutions to clients. A five star consultant." Tia Carr Williams, COO, www.amodus.org.uk
"John is both provocateur and providential and these traits never exist together, but there is a reason: John has this innate quality that will either inspire you if you are honest with yourself or prompt you to contact him to understand the mystery behind the man that is so well respected by many.Glad to call John my best friend and I do not make a move without consulting him. He knows me well and has my best interests at heart." Michael Pokocky "diarist, author, poet, entrepreneur, publisher, humanitarian"
"... Dude, I never knew my business could be so susceptible to problems and was so exposed to fraud and other malicious threats. What I like about your newsletter is that it shows me where my business weaknesses could be, how to identify them and how to stop them. You've got something unique here because I've never seen or heard of any newsletter of this sort that explains what the risks are, both internal and external, and what to do like this does. Nice job. Looking forward to more issues."
Ed Baran"
"I have worked alongside John Dierckx for the past three years as a fraud and computer forensic investigator and security consultant. John's abilities and professionalism are of the highest order."
Pat Coady, Owner, Corporate Risks New Zealand (South Island) Limited (2006)"
“I have had the pleasure of working with John on a case and found him to be extremely professional and methodical.” Kyle Southam Gen-i New Zealand
"John is an exceptional professional... His strengths are a wide professional experience joined with great professional skills... John is perfect in Litigation Support Professional and Risk Management Consultant. Andrzej Philips, owner of the Law Office in Poland and former Judge
"Had I done that (hiring you) after re-established communications with my previous business associate, it could have made the difference ... in court. ... I think there are many, many consumers that need the benefit of your service... it's invaluable." (NZ Client)
you give a network like this trustyou are a good friendand a warm and kind personhonoust and helpfullyou helped me start bloggingJet Rotmans
A very professional, kind, honest person with a big knowledge, wide range of interests... A person of action... Very trustful. Always ready to help. An incredible man. A true networker. I appreciate him a lot.
Seven months after my first testimonial to John I can confirm everything I said about him and even more. He is a person you can count on. A real friend. Intelligent, warm, helpful, full of life and with a great sense of humor. One of the best! Absolutely!Andrea Lajh
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