Creative ID: 763
In or near Whangarei
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
Our Creative Activism programme introduces students to civic engagement and arts activism. Students of any arts discipline who are looking to develop their practice and portfolios are exposed to creative activism practices and practitioners, and mentored through a process of identifying causes that they care about and developing artworks in their preferred medium that speak to those causes. Students will also hear from representatives of organisations such as Creative Northland who will provide practical advice on how to present and pursue opportunities for these artworks. There may be opportunities for student artworks to be featured in local galleries and performances.
My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner with
An extensive list of awards for multimedia shows that speak to inter, intra, and systemic abuses, and fringe festivals is available on request.
I delivered the pilot for a recent programme as a one-day hybrid online and in person workshop with a non-profit dedicated to fostering creative expression, positive self-esteem and community awareness for girls, women, gender expansive, and transgender youth and adults through social justice and music education, activism, and performance. Parents of participants (ages 8-19) reported increased awareness and interest in civic engagement.
I received my Bachelors in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Oakland University. Under the tutelage of Deborah Blair – co-creator of Exceptional Pedagogy For Children With Exceptionalities: International Perspectives – and Jackie Wiggins – Teaching for Musical Understanding – I have developed a dedicated skillset to match my passion for the unique function of music in society. Continuing education has focused on Self and Other Awareness Through Music, Vocal Music and Intersectionality. I am a trauma-informed instructor. I have conducted and teach adult choirs, youth choirs, youth orchestras, general music, guitar and piano accompaniment for singers, songwriting, and more. I work largely as an advanced vocal coach and mentor, with a majority of private vocal students already working in or working toward careers in the arts.
My colleague has a considerable portfolio of engagement in the Northland area (details available on request). She is a multimedia artist whose work focuses on community and personal development. After attending Elam University she travelled and developed her philosophy of community arts before returning to her Maunga in Northland where she resides and continues her practice in partnership with organizations including but not limited to Creative Northland, Northland Youth Theatre, ONEONESIX, and Quarry Arts Centre.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
In the United States I worked as a music teacher in primary and secondary schools and as an educator with non-profits such as Girls Rock Detroit. In New Zealand I have worked as a workshop instructor for level 2 NCEA music, judged inter-whānau singing competitions, led an all-ages community choir in Whangarei, and teach private voice lessons in person in Whangarei and online abroad. I am a trauma-informed instructor and particularly focuses on arts for self and other awareness. My colleague works and volunteers with a variety of arts programmes facilitated by the aforementioned organisations and communities (list available), and has worked with all age groups.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
Nurturing and empowering creative agency engenders a sense of purpose and creates passionate, engaged members of society. It combats depression and equips youth to add their voices to the collective narrative. We're creating the programmes we wish we'd had and refining our own creative voices and processes in the process.