Natasha Port
MANAGING DIRECTOR, WORKSHOP MANAGER
Meet Natasha, born and bred in the vibrant city of Auckland, New Zealand! Natasha has always had a passion for creating music, working with her hands and helping out friends and family with all sorts of projects and activities.
Natasha began her professional career at ABI Music in 2008, at the same time as beginning her tertiary studies at Auckland University. Initially volunteering in the workshop then quickly becoming officially employed as a repair apprentice, rising to workshop manager specializing in both brass and woodwind repairs, and then finally making the ultimate leap into the business by becoming the Managing Director in 2020.
Armed with a Bachelor of Music with Honors in Bassoon Performance from Auckland University, Natasha is not only a valued technician in the Auckland scene with a keen eye for detail and design, but also an accomplished Bassoonist. Over the years she has been a regular member of the NZSO National Youth Orchestra, winning 3rd place in the prestigious Auckland University Concerto Competition in 2012, and playing in various orchestral groups in her local community.
More recently, for some extra fun and a bit of a new challenge, Natasha has branched out into the world of brass and percussion playing, becoming a regular member of North Shore Brass Band on their percussion team, and the North Shore Brass Academy on Baritone Horn.
Natasha’s passion for the music repair and sales industry comes from the perfect blend of her interests: music, helping others and working with her hands and problem-solving, with her unique background as a musician and multi-instrumentalist making her an invaluable asset in understanding her customers' needs.
Hobbies: When she's not fixing up instruments or off making music, you'll find Natasha diving into fiction novels, indulging in a variety of sports, grooving to music, and a bit of creative crafting. She's even whipped up a Marimba from scratch – now, that's what we call a bit of crafty fun!
Andrew Leech
DIRECTOR, REPAIR TECHNICIAN
Andrew has a great reputation as both a repairer of all things brass and woodwind, as well as a player; he has won national titles on euphonium and trombone, and has experience as a conductor of brass and concert bands. He has over 25 years experience in brass and woodwind repairs. He is a fine technician with a passion for the job, and a great eye for detail – you can be assured that any job will be handled as though he was working on his own instrument!
Back to All Staff
Bronwynne Leech
DIRECTOR, RENTALS
Bronwynne has a keen love of music and a vast knowledge of the field. Originally from the UK, which is the home of brass banding, this is maybe not surprising. She currently plays baritone in North Shore Brass. Bronwynne specialises in sales and rentals, and looks after all the accounts, as well as maintaining the on-line orders. She is the one to contact to arrange deliveries or collections, or to place orders.
Back to All Staff
Helena Spurdle
REPAIR TECHNICIAN
Meet Helena Spurdle,
Born in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, she always had a strong connection to music, thanks to her parents' military band roots. As well as living in Christchurch, she's moved to both Auckland, and Wellington.
In 2016 she started an apprenticeship with ABI Music as a Bass and Woodwind Instrument Repair Technician.
Helena's musical journey began with the piano, and coming from a Brass Banding family it was only natural she take up a brass instrument. She started on Cornet, and has since played Flugel, Trumpet, French horn, Tenor horn and Trombone. She has also branched out from brass into guitar, bass guitar, percussion, singing in choirs, and she's even a Drum Major for the North Shore Brass Academy band. She would describe herself as a relaxed community musician who loves to perform, write, and listen.
When not working, Helena enjoys crafting, running, and playing Dungeons & Dragons. Music is a significant part of her life, with a wide range of favorite genres. One of her all time favorite songs is "Heaven in my Hands" by Level 42.
What Helena really enjoys about her job is it combines problem-solving, craftsmanship, and her love for music, making it the perfect fit for her.
Her favourite part about working in the music community, is getting to watch people of all ages and walks of life get involved in music.
Paul Taufa
SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Â
Paul has a long history playing and conducting brass bands and choirs in Tonga and New Zealand, and has an extensive product knowledge. Paul should be your first contact for all Tongan bands, both here in New Zealand and in Tonga.
 Back to All Staff
Mikee Bisquera
SALES/CUSTOMER SERVICE & ACCOUNTS
Â
Mikee Bisquera is an Auckland-based Music Teacher and Conductor, whose
passion for wind band music has led him to be a part of New Zealand’s most prominent wind bands, such as the West City Concert Band and the North Shore Youth Symphonic Wind Band. He graduated from the University of Auckland with a Flute Performance/Japanese Language Conjoint Bachelor’s degree, studying flute under Professor Uwe Grodd and Dr Melody Lin.
After a 3 year working OE in Japan, Mikee has come back to New Zealand in late 2020, eager to return to the Auckland music community he grew up with.
Mikee joined ABI in mid-2021, excited to be working with the music repair and retail store that has serviced his instrumental needs in years past, and hoping to contribute to its bright future as a member of its dynamic team.
 Back to All Staff