The 13-year-old Dunedin North Intermediate pupil is well known around the city for his success at country music competitions such as the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards and the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
But lately, he has taken a shine to classical music and playing the flute.
He recently passed the Royal Schools of Music grade eight flute exam, and was this week selected as part of the 2018 New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's national mentoring programme.
The programme allows secondary school musicians aged between 13 and 18 to pair up with NZSO musicians to receive mentoring on repertoire and technique, as well as access NZSO rehearsals and concerts throughout the year.
He was one of 12 orchestral musicians from across the country (and the only one from Otago) selected after being assessed by a panel of NZSO section principals.
Jayden said he was excited about the opportunity to work with NZSO associate principal flautist Dr Kirstin Eade.
''I feel very humbled and honoured because I'm the one person who has been chosen to do this.
''I'm really looking forward to it.
''This is a very big step in my flute journey.''
Jayden said he started playing flute out of interest when he was 7, but he did not expect it to be a big part of his life.
After passing his grade eight exam and being selected for the mentoring programme, he was surprised how quickly his passion for classical music was growing.
''It's part of my life now to play flute at a high level.''
So the question remains - will he continue with country or keep flirting with flute?
''People who associate me with music probably wouldn't associate me with classical music.
''I do one day aspire to be a world-class flautist because I have a real passion for it.
''But at the moment, I'm just trying to see which path I might go down.''
