Meet the JAM Band
Mikala Wood
Vocals | Lead Presenter
​Mikala’s relaxed warmth and easy wit connect instantly with young audiences. A vocalist, music-theatre creative and passionate educator, she believes music is for everyone and loves helping students find their voice.
When she’s not fronting JAM Band, you’ll catch her coaching vocals and acting, producing Fringe shows or performing with her duo Acoustic Amigos - usually in fun clothes and even funkier earrings.
Nick Russell
Vocals | Drums | Lead Presenter
A children’s-entertainment veteran, Nick pairs cheeky, spontaneous humour with serious vocal firepower. A lifelong drummer and busy freelancer, he splits time between teaching, audio producing and gigging with his acoustic trio The Neapolitans.
Offstage, he’s often exploring new playgrounds with his daughter or relaxing in a park with his comfy camping chair and a good book.
Eve Mac
Vocals | Woodwinds | Lead Creative | Props & Costumes
A whirlwind of energy with a giant heart, Eve makes every child feel seen. She shapeshifts into characters at the drop of a hat and jumps across instruments - flute, saxophone, uke and bagpipes - when she's not expertly handling every aspect of the backstage experience for the students.
When not with JAM Band, you’ll find her lighting up community musical-theatre stages around Adelaide.
Natalie Ahrens
Bass Guitar | Woodwinds | Drums | Vocals
“Time Lord” by nickname and by nature, Nat anchors the band on bass with rock-solid feel and meticulous prep. A multi-instrumentalist (bass, drums, sax, clarinet, guitar, piano), she holds jazz training from the Elder Conservatorium - including top-of-cohort honours on sax.
Nat also keeps busy as Music ESO at Blackfriars Priory School and volunteer treasurer for Flinders Park Scouts, whilst also finding time to cameo in community musical-theatre orchestras, town bands and award-winning Fringe shows.
Jonathan Ruse
Keyboards | Vocals | Bookings Manager
Part pianist, part orchestra, Jono covers pianos, organs, strings, brass, and the odd sneaky bass line, while steering logistics with cool-headed precision.
Away from JAM Band, Jono is a regular with Baker Boys Band and a sought-after accompanist. He also spent over 10 years coaching Football SA Girls State teams, including 2 years as assistant coach for the Adelaide United W-League side.
Mark Curtis
Guitar | Vocals
With a welcoming grin and razor-sharp ears, Mark is ready to ROCK your school. A singer songwriter at heart with a passion for bluegrass, folk and alt-country music, he loves to express his musical ideas on guitar, mandolin and bass.
Between JAM Band dates, he gigs with his originals band The Flannelettes and performs solo acoustic sets around Adelaide.
Elijah Maddern
Drums | Vocals
A pocket-tight, feel-first drummer with a singer’s ear, Elijah is the engine room of JAM Band. He brings a calm, can-do vibe on stage, locking the groove so students and teachers can’t help but move.
Away from JAM Band, Elijah is a Primary School SSO and a consultant for Baker Boys Band where he crafts the perfect soundtrack for wedding ceremonies, dancefloors and corporate events.