42 | T H E B A R O SSA M A G
>> Tahnee Koch
“We all get along really well, we talk
about everything. I think music’s always
a good medium to bring people together
- it’s always been the glue.”
- Pete Koch
He’s also transferred his salesman
skills and passion for cars to the
automotive industry, working for
Barossa Valley Toyota where he
“pulled in a million dollars” for
his new boss in his first six months.
“I’m loving it! Selling cars and
being with people. I still have a lot
of my old customers.”
The MG and 1960 Chrysler New
Yorker parked in the garage are his
pride and joy but it’s the women in
his life who receive his utmost love
and admiration.
“I feel very blessed to have three
ladies in the house, it’s good....It
comes with its challenges but I hold
my own!” he laughs.
“We all get along really well, we talk
about everything. I think music’s
always a good medium to bring
people together - it’s always been
the glue.”
Pete met his wife through
music. In fact Cath, now a Student
Services Officer at Faith Lutheran
College, was his student.
“I used to teach her music.
The first song I taught her was
“Stuck with You” by Huey Lewis
and The News!” he laughs.
“She’s stuck with me!”
The dynamic duo raised their
two daughters surrounded by
music and now Tahnee, aged
18 and Demi, aged 15 are singing
their own musical stories.
Just like their father, the sisters
thrive in the limelight and are
upping the stakes as they rival
their dad’s flair for fashion.
“Dad loves being the centre of
attention - we all do!” says Demi.
The Faith Lutheran College student
has just returned from a two week
theatre camp with a children’s
theatre company for young
performers.
“I played Gretchin in “Mean Girls
The Musical”, she says. “I did Cats
at School, I was Skimbleshanks,
pretty high intensity songs but
I don’t mind having the spotlight
on me, just like these two!”
Along with vocals and dance,
Demi learns guitar and clarinet.
>> Demi Koch
“I’ve also started writing original
songs, about my family or other
random things! I don’t know if
I’d like to pursue something like
that one day.”
The sisters admit to “a little” sibling
rivalry, yet elder sister, Tahnee
assures they have never reached
the “pulling hair out” point.
Singing, piano and dance are
Tahnee’s domain. She’s performed
in the Cabaret Festival in Adelaide
as part of a six month programme
when in Year 12. She isn’t surprised
she has a love for music, describing
her introduction as much the same
as her younger sister’s.
“I started piano lessons when
I was four. As a baby, my feet were
getting pushed on the piano. Not
that it was drilled into me, but
there was always a fascination
I guess. At the shop I was sitting
in the jolly jumper and surrounded
by it so I guess I was intrigued.”
The bubbly red head just
completed her “gap year” and
is now looking forward to her
next chapter.
“I did a vintage and I went
travelling, just took some time
off because I worked pretty hard
in Year 12,” Tahnee says.
“I’m going to uni this year,
studying occupational therapy.
The big picture is music therapy
after that – that’s the goal.”
Pete couldn’t be more proud of his
“girls” and seeing music continue
into the next generation.
Always the perfectionist and doing
nothing by halves, he happily
describes himself as “quirky and
a little eccentric”, whether it’s his
eclectic taste in music and cars or
his wardrobe of sequinned jackets
and pointy toed shoes.
But behind all the bling and pizazz
is a big-hearted husband and father
whose mission in life is to share his
love of music with family, friends
and the wider community, whilst
living by the motto he has held
throughout life.
“Respect the past and be
grateful for the past, but
always move forwards.”