A tuba player with Wanganui Brass, Mr Herdman is also the conductor for Concert Brass and plays with the Jazz Club Brass Band and Damn Raucous Brass.
"My biggest thrill in life is watching other people learn to play. I started teaching when I was 17.
"My first instrument was a B-flat baritone that I got when I was 9.
"I always loved brass but learned to play reed instruments because there was a shortage of brass instruments at the high school when I started teaching there."
Mr Herdman teaches recorder, reed and brass at Wanganui High School, works as a caregiver to people with disabilities, and provides out-of-school music lessons for just $5 per hour.
Born and bred in Wanganui, he said members of his family had been playing with Wanganui Brass for over 100 years.
Entries are still open for the Pride of New Zealand Awards, honouring extraordinary Kiwis making a significant difference in their communities.
The Wanganui Chronicle is again supporting the awards and we are calling for local nominations of people who put others first and go out of their way to make this a better place to live.
If you know of an everyday hero, then put their name forward - award nominations are open until June 14, with regional award ceremonies in August and the national awards ceremony in September.
There are six award categories: Bravery & Heroism; Community Spirit; Fundraiser of the Year; Emergency Services; Environmental; and Lifetime Achievement.
The Pride of New Zealand Awards are proudly brought to you by The New Zealand Herald, The Hits and TSB Bank.
Nominations for the 2015 awards have now closed.
To see more stories of our wonderful nominees click here.
For more information on the awards go to the official website.
