SAE Auckland is pleased to welcome Swap Gomez to the role of Student Recruitment and Enrolment Officer. As the drummer for acclaimed electronic hip hop band, Yoko-Zuna, Swap will already be a familiar face to many students and staff here.

Swap says he was drawn to the role at SAE because of the history and importance of the place.

‘I first recorded here in the SAE studios when I was 14. I have had a long history with this place already, and it’s a fantastic to now be a permanent member of the staff.’

Swap comes to SAE with a wealth of industry experience behind him. As well as being the drummer for Yoko-Zuna, Swap has been running a successful film production company for the past four years, March Men Productions. They have made advertisement, online content, animation and music videos. He has had SAE students help him out with projects before and has always been impressed by the standard of SAE students and graduates.

Swap is also heavily involved with mentoring new talent, working as a mentor for projects including Auckland Museum's Volume programme, and OMAC and Te Oro music centres as a drum tutor. He also runs regular jam nights, and drums clinics including the inaugural Drummers Day Out in 2016. This was such a success, Swap plans to run this event yearly from now on.

Swap has packed a lot into his 28 years so far, having worked as a high school teacher, run his own production company and become a sought-after musician. Yoko-Zuna have played almost every New Zealand music festival, toured internationally and released two albums since they started in 2013, with a third on the way in 2018.

Swap started his role at SAE fresh from the band’s latest tour through Australia. But he just laughs. ‘That’s how it is in this industry. All go.’

Dr Suzette Major, SAE Campus Director says, ‘We’re thrilled that Swap has joined the SAE whanau. His experience as a teacher, mentor and acclaimed musician make him a fantastic fit for welcoming new students to SAE .’