Meet the 2021 OC Residents!

At the Ockham Collective, our annual residency programme is the heart and soul of what we do. Through it we provide direct support – in terms of teaching/rehearsal/work space, promotion and encouragement – to a select group of highly talented people working in the fields of creativity and education. Last year they were six accomplished musicians and music teachers. This year we've extended our remit to embrace the visual arts, literature and te reo Māori, and expanded our number to 10 people.

Given the disruption of 2020, we gave all of last year's residents the opportunity to return. We're delighted to welcome back:

·         Kingsley Spargo – As comfortable on trumpet and trombone as he is on taonga pūoro (traditional Māori instruments), Kingsley has released a solo album, toured arts festivals with Witi Ihimaera and performs as part of experimental duo Alargo;

·         David Ward – As well as teaching guitar and bango, David is an award-winning composer and musical director for theatre;

·         Sonia Wilson – When she's not strumming up a storm with her Sunday ukulele sessions at Hypatia, you can find Sonia gigging under various guises including as part of Gitbox Rebellion and Sonia & Nigel.

And we're extremely excited to welcome the following new residents:

·         Lucie Blaževská – A graphic designer and visual artist, Lucie recently exhibited her skateboard designs, featuring images of inspiring women, at the Studio One Toi Tū gallery;

·         Jessie Booth – Between touring the country with Elemeno P and teaching at Auckland University, Jessie teaches guitar at our Tuatahi creative precinct;

·         Michelle Cleaver – Michelle has played in various guitar duos over the years, and teaches guitar and music theory at Kings and at our Modal creative precinct;

·         Kim Halliday – A kick-ass guitar and ukulele player, Kim has been involved in over 20 different groups, 38 recorded works and composed music for three documentary soundtracks;

·         Lana Herewini – Hailing from Te Aupōuri iwi, Lana is teaching te reo Māori and aspects of Māoritanga from our Hypatia creative precinct;

·         Dr Selina Tusitala Marsh – As a poet, performer and educator, Selina's accomplishments are too numerous to list here, so we'll stick to three: former NZ Poet Laureate, award-winning children's author, Officer of the NZ Order of Merit for her services to poetry, literature and the Pacific community;

·         Hanna Wiskari – As well as teaching saxophone and clarinet, Hanna is a co-founder and artistic leader of Ethno NZ.

For more information on any of our residents, click on their names above.

Pictured above: New resident Lana Herewini cracks a joke during her opening mihi at the 2021 OC launch. [Photo: Adrian Malloch]