Tessa Gutierrez


Location: Sydney, NSW

Challenge: Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder incorporating: Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, glaucoma

Website: facebook.com/TessasStudios

Tessa Gutierrez is an instrumental percussion tutor at four primary schools in the north of Sydney, and although my hands and most moving joints show the de-formities of rheumatoid arthritis, she can still play orchestral percussion and drum kit while sitting in her wheelchair.

Her hands have assisted in the recording of an Australian, federally funded and produced CD recording (“Wild Nights”) with the North West Wind Ensemble, the concert band Tessa performs with.

They are the current NSW State and Australian National band champions in Open A-Grade, which is the highest level of concert band performance available. On the CD Tessa has quite a few solo sections playing the glockenspiel, xylophone and vibraphone.

Tessa says "Many of my students are now accomplished percussion performers and educators and some are well known in the Sydney area for their exceptional abilities in music education and performance"

Her students perform under the name "Drumfill" and have won the primary-aged (grade school) section of the Australian Percussion Eisteddfod for many years.

She says "My hands have typed up countless essays and assignments for my University degrees. I have just completed my BA (Internet Communications) through Curtin University in Western Australia via distance education. It is my first completed degree. Although I have started three other degrees since 1982, none were ever completed due to illness.

I am almost finished a degree majoring in philosophy at Macquarie University and I am also in my Honours year of the BA (Internet Studies) via distance education with Curtin University in Perth Western Australia. I am currently writing a 15,000-word thesis about Facebook for that degree."

Tessa has managed to achieve a High Distinction for her assessments on snare, timpani and drum kit.

Tessa says "Music is my life and studying at University is my passion".

Life is amazing and I am lucky to have participated in so many meaningful opportunities. Most of my continued achievements are due to the support of my loving family, partner Tim and my social network of friends here in Sydney as well as interstate and overseas. Life is to be lived - joyfully.


Drumfill