Creative Arts & Music 6-week Course

Anna Pierard is an opera singer, educator and co-founder of Project Prima Volta, National Youth Opera Aotearoa and Festival Opera, based in Te Matau a Māui Hawke’s Bay. Trained in the UK and Europe, Anna has spent more than two decades working in opera performance, voice training and youth development. Her work explores the relationship between breath, voice, identity and wellbeing, and how singing can support confidence, connection and self-awareness far beyond the stage. Through her work with rangatahi and tamariki, Anna is particularly interested in the voice as an embodied tool for communication, resilience and belonging. Her current research and creative practice explore what happens when operatic singing is experienced through te reo Māori and Māori relational frameworks.

SESSION Abstract: Your Voice Has Power: Breath, Sound, and Everyday Wellbeing:

This talk reveals what is happening in the body and brain when we breathe and use the voice, and why it has a direct impact on mood, perception, and control. Drawing on operatic practice and transformational breathwork, it examines the neurology and physiology of vocal mechanics, showing how breath and sound can actively shift internal state. The session is not about learning to sing, but about recognising the voice as a powerful, underused system for regulation, awareness, and self-management.

Sinead Hegarty (she/they) is a NZ Registered Music Therapist at Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, she completed her masters in Music Therapy at Te Herenga Waka (Victoria University) in 2023 and now works part time at the Hawkes Bay regional centre. Sinead has as deep love for community-focused approaches and promoting social justice in her practice.

SESSION Abstract: Music and your mind: How music reflects and influences our emotional world from a neuroscientific and cultural perspective. Exploring the idea that to be human is to be musical where music is perhaps an essential element for meaningful connection and belonging in our communities.

Svetlana Eliason is a professional musician and dedicated educator with over two decades of experience in performance and tertiary education. Originally from Bulgaria, she enjoyed a stellar international career based in London, touring globally as a bass player for Moby, including a memorable headline set at Glastonbury 2003 and recording at Abbey Road Studios with Right Said Fred.

After serving as Head of Live Performance and Course Leader at the prestigious BIMM Institute in London, Svetlana relocated to Hawke’s Bay in 2022. Now a Music Lecturer at EIT’s IDEAschool, she brings her world-class expertise, academic credentials, and passion for creativity to inspire the next generation of artists.

SESSION Abstract: Fast, Smart, and Creative: Making Music in a Rapidly Changing Tech World

Technology is evolving rapidly, reshaping how we create, share, and experience music. This session invites curious adult learners to explore how fast-paced new technologies influence creativity, with a special focus on songwriting. Together, we will investigate traditional songwriting methods as well as some digital tools, unpack what these tools can (and can’t) do, reflect on how creativity has evolved across generations, and consider how technology can support rather than replace the creative voice.

The talk is followed by a relaxed, hands-on songwriting workshop using simple creative prompts and optional technology. No musical experience is required—only curiosity. Participants will experiment, share ideas, and discover how technology can support creativity rather than replace the creative voice.

Helen Dynes has a lifelong passion for art, knowing from childhood she would become an artist. Born in Ireland, she earned her MA in 1983 and has taught art in the UK and New Zealand for over 30 years, including Art as Therapy.

Emigrating to Napier in 2003, Helen is an accomplished artist known for her naturalistic, light-focused paintings of the human figure. Her work is held internationally.

Beyond her own practice, Helen generously shares her expertise through tutoring. Believing deeply in art’s therapeutic value, she recently launched The Pandora Project to help others discover their creativity.

SESSION Abstract: Art as a Pathway to Reflection and Wellbeing.

This illustrated presentation explores the therapeutic role of art in fostering self-awareness, emotional resilience, and personal growth. Drawing on my own creative practice, I will share artworks developed through compassionate self-enquiry, reflection, and mindful observation. The session considers how artistic engagement can provide a space for contemplation, insight, and healing, regardless of previous artistic experience. Through stories, images, and discussion, we will examine how creative expression can help us navigate life's transitions, deepen our understanding of ourselves, and cultivate greater wellbeing. Participants will be invited to reflect on the transformative potential of art in everyday life.

Daniel is an actor, director, producer and educational specialist. He has worked extensively in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Daniel is currently the Creative Director for Dream Big, Producer at Kōtiri Productions, Director of Number 8 Studios, Manager of Kahurangi Toi Ātea, National Screen Skills Standards and Chair of Screen Hawke’s Bay. He lives and breathes all things creative.

SESSION Abstract: Let's talk film

From the flickering silent films of the early 1900s to today's billion-dollar global franchises, film has become one of the world's most powerful storytelling mediums. This session explores the evolution of cinema, highlighting landmark productions that have shaped culture, inspired generations, and transformed the entertainment industry. We'll examine New Zealand's remarkable rise as a filmmaking destination, from the global success of The Lord of the Rings to the growing number of international blockbusters choosing our shores. Discover how the demand for global content is reshaping audiences, creating new opportunities, and changing the way stories are created, shared, and experienced.

Amanda Sowersby is a Hawke’s Bay artist, Artistic Therapist, and founder of Art & Alchemy. Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts, she teaches children and adults through classes, workshops, and therapeutic art practices. Drawing on her backgrounds in fine art, art history, and holistic wellbeing, Amanda works across watercolour, acrylic, and oil painting, creating landscapes, botanicals, and emerging portraiture that celebrate beauty, colour, and connection.

SESSION Abstract: Colour Alchemy. The Hidden Language of Colour

Join artist and Artistic Therapist Amanda Sowersby for a fascinating exploration into the world of colour. Discover how colours influence mood, emotion, creativity, and artistic expression, while learning about their symbolism and meaning through history and culture.

Through discussion, demonstration, and a guided pastel art exercise, participants will explore their own relationship with colour and create an expressive artwork inspired by feeling, imagination, and personal connection.

No artistic experience is necessary. Just bring your curiosity and a willingness to play with colour.