Mitchell is a freelance drummer, percussionist and teacher based in Christchurch. He has a Bachelor of Music Arts (Jazz Performance - Drum Set), specialising in jazz performance, from ARA Music Arts.

During his study, Mitchell became heavily involved in the music community in Christchurch, playing a range of different settings and styles.

A regular member of the hard-hitting Symposium Big Band, he is also involved with other local jazz projects such as The Kate Taylor Quartet, Heather Webb Trio/Quartet, Georgie Clifford Music and has worked with local legends Tom Rainey, Cameron Pearce, Ali Harper, Reuben Derrick and Michael Story.

A big fan of musical theatre, Mitchell has played in musicals for The Court Theatre, NASDA and small-scale theatre and high school projects. His theatre credits include End of the Rainbow and Blood Brothers (The Court Theatre); Footloose, Cabaret and Pippin (NASDA); and Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Anything Goes, Kiss Me Kate and The Threepenny Opera.

He has gained a wealth of experience playing in pop music groups, routinely playing into the early hours with one of Christchurch’s finest party bands OFF THE CHARTS, as well as having performed extensively with Motown covers band Eskimotown for four years.

With a passion to continue learning, Mitchell is now studying world music and taking percussion lessons with Doug Brush (Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, ARA Music Arts). He is a member of the Christchurch Afro-Cuban ensemble - a group playing various Afro-Cuban music styles on a range of percussion instruments.

As a leader, Mitchell runs The Lonious, a group solely dedicated to performing the music of the great jazz pianist Thelonious Monk.