Elisha Fa’i-So’oialo

Currently residing in Rotorua, Elisha enjoys a busy and fulfilling career working with young budding talents as a music and pasifika arts studies teacher at Rotorua Boys’ High School, performer,a choir director of various community choirs and the Artistic Director of Opera In The Pā. Previous to this, Elisha worked in the  tertiary sector as a Music tutor at the Waiariki Institute of Technology, and, as a private singing teacher from her home studio.

Elisha was a member of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir under the directorship of Elise Bradley, and the New Zealand Youth Choir under the directorship of Professor Karen Grylls.

Elisha holds a Bachelor of Music and Post-Graduate Diploma of Music (Distinction) from the University of Auckland, a Master of Music (First Class Honours) from the University of Waikato and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching from the Bethlehem Institute of Technology. Elisha is a recipient of numerous awards and achievements which include the Ministry of Education Kupe Leadership scholarship for teaching, the Dame Malvina Major Scholarship and the Creative New Zealand Iosefa Enari Memorial Scholarship. Competition successes include being a Lexus Song Quest semi-finalist, winner of the Maori Song Aria Competition and third place in the New Zealand Aria competition.

Some of Elisha’s performance experiences include working with NBR New Zealand Opera, Operatunity, Bach Musica NZ, Auckland Opera Studio, Auckland Arts Festival, Wellington Arts Festival, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, the Bay of Plenty Symphony Orchestra, Choral Societies throughout New Zealand, The Dame Malvina Major Foundation, Opera In The Pā, The Rotorua Lakeside, The University of Auckland, The University of Waikato, The University of Otago, The University of the South Pacific (Fiji and Samoa), Motone Productions (Rarotonga), P&O Cruises (Australasia) and Princess Cruises (Australasia).

Leon Gray

Originally from Stratford, Taranaki, Leon began his professional performance career at age 15, working as a gigging musician around the region. He won the Roland Composition Competition while at high school, and went onto to receive the highest score for Bursary music in New Zealand, before heading to Auckland to further his studies, completing his Bachelor of Music, Diploma in Teaching, Postgraduate diploma in Business & Administration, and Postgraduate diploma in Education.

As well as academic music, Leon has been employed as a musical director since age 18, and has now stacked up over 40 productions around New Zealand and Scotland. Highlights over the years have included Into The Woods, Phantom of the Opera, The Producers, Beauty and the Beast and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Leon furthered his studies, going onto complete Master of Music, and Master of Education degrees, while working as a journalist for APN, and then as a course writer for Practical Education Instutute, E-Blended Learning Solutions and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. After beginning his private music studio in 2014, Leon created the ATOM approach to music literacy, and the APLOM approach for practical music-making for which he has received a FASS Scholarship from the University of Waikato. He has published articles for Music Education New Zealand Aotearoa, and the National Associated for Gifted Education (UK) and has been a guest speaker and mentor for the Institute of Registered Music Teachers NZ, Sing Out and Big Sing.

As well as ongoing commitments with Tauranga Civic Choir, Tauranga Performing Arts Competitions, and Rotorua Aria, Leon has been a featured guest pianist for a wide range of organisations, including Opus Orchestra, Auckland Children’s Theatre Academy, BOP Music School, BOP Symphonia, New Zealand Jazz Festival, Gincredible, Tauranga Garden and Art Festival and touring productions of Annie and The Sound of Music. When not performing he dedicates himself to composition, and has received composition commissions from Tauranga City, and Stratford District Council as well as a number of private organisations. He is passionate about increasing the international appeal of New Zealand contemporary music, and also the development of repertoire in Te Reo that will appeal to a global audience.

Cybele Chapman

Cybele Chapman, at just 14 years old, has already made a significant impact in the music industry. Learning the guitar during the first lockdown ignited her passion, leading her to write an impressive 500 songs. Influenced by artists like Taylor Swift, Avril Lavigne, and Tate McRae, Cybele’s unique sound shines through in her debut album, “Lesson Learned,” featuring 12 captivating tracks. She recently performed her original song, “Burning Up Tears,” with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, showcasing her exceptional talent. Along with private lessons, Cybele is heavily involved in the music curriculum at Pāpāmoa College where she enjoys performing in bands, songwriting, guitar, theatre and voice. With regular gigs and a deep love for music, Cybele’s future as a rising star looks incredibly promising. On October the 8th, Cybele will perform all 12 songs from her album with a full band and supporting guests at Totara Street, Mount Maunganui.

TBC Jazz Combo #1

Tauranga Boys’ College has a long and proud tradition of high-quality jazz. Keeping in that tradition the current #1 Jazz Combo, featuring Micheal Van Lieshout, Aaron McDaniel, Otto Blake-Plamer, and Sylvester Green, keeps the tradition alive with high-quality music and interesting repertoire. Currently, Micheal holds the title of Best Jazz Guitarist from the National Jazz Festival, and Sylvester, trumpet, recently gained the position of 2nd at the Jazz Band-its competition for improvisation. The group if brimming with talent and ability that will have you loving the vibe.

Martin Emo - DJ

Martin Emo is the Ministry of Education Learning Area Lead (Dance, Drama, Music), based in sunny Whakatū (Nelson). Martin brings extensive experience in curriculum, assessment, pedagogy and digital technology in the Performing Arts. He has over 10 years of classroom experience as a secondary school music teacher, with his final position as HOD Performing Arts at Waimea College. In 2018 Martin received a PPTA scholarship to complete a Masters, which was followed with a Chancellor’s Scholarship from Victoria University to undertake a PHD. Martin has a comprehensive knowledge of many aspects of NCEA and the NZC. This includes teaching music in the classroom, drafting and revising NCEA Unit and Achievement standards, scholarship, creating resources for TKI, being a panel leader for external exams, moderation of internal standards and being on the L1 Music SEG. He was also the TKI Musicnet Facilitator for eight years. Currently, he is on the board of the Australia New Zealand Association for Research in Music Education (ANZARME) and previously held a number of roles over six years on the MENZA board. This has provided access to valuable knowledge in how best to support Kaiako with the NCEA review. Additionally, over the last year five years, he delivered over 70 workshops and lectures for music and performing arts teachers in New Zealand and overseas. This has ranged from providing one-on-one mentoring and keynote addresses to webinars during lockdown and lecturing at Victoria University, Melbourne University and Glasgow University. His masters and doctoral research has been published internationally including at over 15 international conferences since 2018. Drawing on a range of perspectives and opportunities, he developed and led education strategy for the music technology companies Melodics, Serato and Ableton. He has performed as DJ Tunesifter for 25 years, and has listened to his entire vinyl collection over the last 5 years.