Creative ID: 773
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
I am a singer, songwriter, performer but also a voice specialising speech language pathologist who works with vocal athletes across the country to diagnose, rehabilitate and prevent voice disorders. I have had formal training in performance voice in classical and contemporary styles, acting and speech language therapy (education & health sectors). I have specific skills and knowledge in teaching singing, vocal performance, song production, stage production with all ages.
My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner
I have been a vocalist since a very young age and completed my vocal performance examinations through Trinity College London throughout my high school years, completing the Associate Diploma in Performance Voice with Distinction in 2008/2009. I also completed my Associate Diploma in Speech & Drama - majoring in public speaking via Trinity College London in 2010. I was a part of the Big Sing Choir Competition from 2004-2008, was selected to be in the NZ Secondary Schools Choir and NZ Youth Choir in my final year at school/first year university.
I performed in community and school musical productions from the age of 10 through to my mid twenty's which included productions such as The Sound of Music, Annie, The Phantom of the Opera, The Wizard of Oz, Jack and the Giant Peach, Fiddler on the roof, Oklahoma, and Chicago which I was lucky to be lead role in. I have always had a passion for contemporary music and in the last 5 years have dipped my toes more into CCM (Commercial Contemporary Music) performing locally, most recently at The Salmon Wine Festival in Twizel 2023 performing an 1.5hr setlist.
I also am a songwriter. I play the guitar and piano and have qualifications to be able to teach beginner level lessons in these instruments. I also recently directed and produced Twizel’s first community lead musical production. Professionally I am a Voice Specialising Speech Language Pathologist. I graduated in 2013 and after completing my initial medical training in Christchurch, I pursued postgraduate training in performance voice medicine internationally via Melbourne and New York as this is currently a field in Speech Pathology that New Zealand that does not have any have any specialists in. I am now one of the only Speech Language Pathologist in New Zealand who is able to work closely with vocalists in the diagnosis, rehabilitation and prevention of voice disorders and work collaboratively within The Voice Lab NZ (ENT, SLP, Voice Physio & Vocal Coach) to look after New Zealands gigging and touring musicians including artists such as Kaylee Bell, Mitch James, Tami Neilson, Abbey Wolfe, Rutene Spooner. I have over 15 professional years’ experience in stage production, acting, contemporary singing voice, classical singing voice, guitar, piano but also most recently added in studio mixing and mastering and music production.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
I have worked with children from ages 2 to 18 years in my professional capacity as a speech language therapist but also as a speech, drama tutor and musical theatre production director. I have designed programmes, resources and carried out teaching. Over the last 5 years I have also run creative arts themed school holiday programmes for school -ged children where they learn as a group singing, music production, drama, communication skills and how to piece things together for a live performance.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
I would love for youth in all small towns to be able to pursue and develop their interests in the arts. I have specific skills and knowledge in the areas of voice, performance, piano and guitar teaching and music/stage production side of things I would love to share these with the community by working alongside schools with arts/music/production based projects. I want all children to be able to experience the arts and show kids that there can be another way to expressive yourself, through the use of music!