"Music therapy was like opening a door of communication for Reuben and meant people could go into his world and he could come out into theirs."  
Gilly, Reuben's mum
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Meet our Staff and Board

Staff

The Raukatauri Centre employs a Director, Centre Administrator, and eight Registered Music Therapists. 

Carol White, Director

Carol has just joined the Raukatauri team as our new Director, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Centre, as well as strategic and funding development. She has a Bachelor of Business Studies Degree and a Post Graduate Degree in Marketing. Carol comes from a background in business and digital media - predominantly in television and online with a wealth of skills and expertise in strategic development, business, financial management, marketing and technology.

Claire Molyneux, Head of Clinical Services

The clinical team at Raukatauri is headed by Claire, who initially trained and registered as a music therapist in the United Kingdom. Claire has extensive experience in the fields of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Special Education.  She is a registered supervisor with the Association of Professional Music Therapists. Before emigrating to New Zealand with her young family, Claire regularly lectured on the MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Polytechnic University and also enjoyed contributing to the training needs of medical students and newly qualified Occupational Therapists within the National Health System. Claire is a wonderful pianist, has a pure singing voice that her young clients readily respond to, and is also a soloist on the oboe. Claire has a particular passion for working with the families of referred children, empowering parents and caregivers and helping them strengthen their relationships with their children. Claire has a Master of Arts (Music Therapy) and Bachelor of Arts (Hons).

Jo Clark, Centre Administrator

Jo is the lynchpin to the smooth operation of the Raukatauri Centre. She is the person who welcomes you when you arrive, ensures you are looked after, and oversees all the administrative functions of the Centre. Jo has a background in accounts and as a PA, and worked for many years in the music industry, first at Warner Music and then at Universal.

Marie Willis, Music Therapist

Marie studied music therapy in the United Kingdom, and flew 40,000km for a one-hour job interview at Raukatauri. Needless to say, she got the job. Marie admits it might seem a little extreme flying to the other end of the earth for a job interview, but she says it demonstrates her commitment to supporting the development of the music therapy profession. On completion of her music therapy training in 2005, Marie worked as a music therapist in a school, for young people with visual impairment and complex needs, alongside working for a performing arts education company in London.

Marie is a passionate musician and currently plays with the Auckland Wind Orchestra alongside other ensembles, and also provides music tuition. Her primary instrument is the clarinet; however, she also plays saxophones, flute, recorders and piano. She is learning guitar and ukulele and enjoys using her voice and movement to engage and encourage her clients in music therapy sessions.

Marie has a special interest in early child development and, supervision. She has a Post Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, and also holds a Bachelor of Music (Hons) and a Certificate in Dalcroze Eurhythmics.

May Clulee, Music Therapist

May is originally from Singapore, and enjoyed growing up in a vibrant multicultural environment.  She has always loved making music in formal and informal settings. May studied the piano formally, but later also picked up the guitar and clarinet. She sings and plays at church and various community events. In 1999, May completed her MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Polytechnic - now Anglia Ruskin University - at Cambridge, in the UK. May has worked with people in the community for 20 years in various capacities: as a piano teacher for children in a low-income community, a volunteer support worker of disabled people, a teacher-aide, and a music therapist with children and adults, in special education and in the community. She has also done volunteer work in China, Nepal, the Philippines and New Zealand. As well as being part of the Raukatauri Music Therapy team, May also works part-time at a youth-focused community library in South Auckland, where she enjoys incorporating music into some of the many programmes the library delivers to its customers.

Alison Talmage, Music Therapist

Alison had a very successful career as a primary school teacher when her passion for music got the better of her and she headed to the New Zealand School of Music to study music therapy. She loves spending all day making music, but says the best part of her work is building relationships with children who are very hard to reach. Music is important to Alison personally and socially, as well as professionally, and she's involved in a wide range of musical activities outside of work..

Russell Scoones, Music Therapist

Russell has been a musician all his working life, and first became involved in music and disability more than 20 years ago. He has held various positions as an arts worker and community musician in many settings, both in New Zealand and in the UK. Russell completed his music therapy training at Roehampton University, London, in 2008, and joined the Raukatauri team when he returned to live in New Zealand after 17 years in London.Russell is a talented composer and for many years has written music for contemporary dance. He loves to write music using unusual instruments and elements. His first instrument is guitar, and he plays many types, including classical, steel-stringed, electric, bass, ukulele and mandolin. He is also skilled in drums, percussion and singing, and loves music for children, holding regular classes for preschoolers outside his work at Raukatauri.

Na-Hyun Koo, Music Therapist

Na-Hyun has worked part-time as a music therapist at the Raukatauri Centre since 2009. She also works privately with children with special needs on the North Shore, and teaches piano, singing and composition.   Na-Hyun moved from Korea to New Zealand with her family at the age of 12. Music has always been an important part of her life as a medium of self-expression, whether it be playing piano, composing, or conducting and singing in choirs and her church band. Na-Hyun studied ATCL in piano, has a Bachelor of Music (Hons) in composition and a Graduate Diploma in Arts from Auckland University. She completed her Master of Music Therapy at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington in 2008. Na-Hyun is a skilled pianist and loves to sing.

Cristiane Silva, Music Therapist

Cristiane is originally from Brazil but lived in Wales for eight years before moving to New Zealand in 2011.  Her initial training as a music therapist was in Brazil in 1995 and she then began work with children and young adults with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities, and as a music facilitator for pre-school children.

Cristiane moved to Wales in 2003 and completed a Postgraduate Diploma and a MA degree in Music Therapy at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, in Cardiff.  In the UK she worked as a music therapist for Bristol MusicSpace and Musicatwork   providing music therapy for children and young adults with a variety of special needs. She also worked privately at mainstream schools in South Wales, providing music therapy sessions for children with SEBD (Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties) in primary and secondary schools.

Cristiane's main instrument is flute and she also studied classical piano for a few years.

Yair Katz, Music Therapist 

Originally from Israel, Yair has been living in NZ since 2004. Having completed a Masters degree in music therapy at the New Zealand School of Music, Yair initially studied Ethnomusicology and Psychology, as well as mental health support work. An experienced drummer and percussionist, Yair has recorded and toured with numerous bands of versatile music genres in NZ and abroad in the last decade, and continues to do so today. He has worked as teacher aide and support worker and has led percussion groups for children and adults with special needs in schools and communities around Auckland since 2005. Yair feels committed and excited about working with the RMTC team and clients and is looking forward to bringing together his passion for music and love for meeting new people and engaging with them musically.

Shari Ludlam, Music Therapist

Shari has recently completed the requirements for her postgraduate Masters in Music Therapy through the New Zealand School of Music.  Shari has been working in childcare since 2004 and graduated from the University of Auckland in 2009 with a conjoint Bachelor of Music (Composition) and Bachelor of Science (Statistics and Psychology).  During her study, Shari enjoyed the challenge of bringing together her musical skills and background in classical music with the piano, flute and voice, in jazz with the tenor saxophone, and a passion for contemporary composition in her music therapy work.  Using music with adolescents dealing with mental health conditions, older adults erperiencing medical conditions including dementia and stroke, as well as her work during her second year thesis practicum at Raukatauri with children and adolescents with special needs, Shari continues to explore and be inspired by just what music can do.

Libby Johns

Libby joined the team earlier this year after spending last year on placement with us as a student. 

Libby has recently completed her Masters of Music Therapy Degree at the New Zealand School of Music.  Now working predominately with children and adolescents her previous experience, as part of her music therapy training, she worked at a residential home for people in the advanced stages of Huntington's disease and at a service for adolescents who were experiencing their first episode of psychosis.

Libby enjoys playing many forms of music and has a great interest in music from other cultures and its collaboration with movement and dance. Libby originally studied Jazz performance music playing the saxophone and also enjoys flute, guitar, piano and singing.

Board of Trustees

The Centre is owned and operated by the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, which is registered as a Charitable Trust with the Charities Commission, Registration Number CC24774.

George Bradfield - Ngati Ranginui

George Bradfield is a television production accountant, as well as an export broker for honey products. George provides management services to his wife Hinewehi and her group when they perform at home and abroad. George is Company Director of Raukatauri Productions Limited and NZN Group Limited

Sean Coleman

(Chairman)

Sean Coleman has been involved in the music industry for 40 years, first in his homeland in the UK and for nearly two decades in New Zealand. He is a shareholder in businesses involved with music tours and artist management.

Sean joined the Raukatauri Board of Trustees in 2005. He was introduced to the Centre by a business acquaintance and friend after expressing an interest in giving back something to the music industry.

Sean became chair of the Raukatauri Board in November 2009.

David Courtney

Lawyer David Courtney was appointed to the Raukatauri Board of Trustees in December 2011.  Having served in the Army with George Bradfield, one of the Centre's founders, David had been acquainted with the Centre's work for many years, but says it was not until he visited that he truly appreciated the enormous positive impact music therapy can have on children and their families. David says he looking forward to playing a supporting role to the therapists and centre staff.  "Their enthusiasm and dedication is very moving and the work they do can make  such a difference to children's lives".  And it's not just one member of the Courtney family who is providing support - David's eldest daughter, Sarah, has also volunteered to help out at the Centre.

Chris Dobbs

(Deputy Chairman)

Chris Dobbs is well-known for his impeccable sartorial style. Not surprising, as his business Working Style has been manufacturing and retailing classically tailored clothes for men for over two decades. With a staff of 35 and six stores nationwide, Chris is kept busy, but is a committed Board member of the Raukatauri Centre.

Chris has a strong empathy with children with special needs as he and wife Penny have a daughter with Down Syndrome, Imogen. Their two other children are Ted and Amelia.

Chris joined the Raukatauri Board of Trustees in 2009 and that year organised the very successful fundraiser Battle of the Bands, which he hopes to turn into an annual event.

Chris' background is in marketing, with a Bachelor of Business from Massey University.

Chris Hunter

Chris Hunter has a construction career that spans 25 years. He has an MBA majoring in Corporate Finance and New Ventures, and is a Registered Quantity Surveyor.

Chris is married to Jane and has three daughters. He is a keen golfer, enjoys cycling and kayaking, and has completed the Speight's Coast to Coast as part of a two-man team.

Justine McKay

Organiser of the annual Raukatauri Music Therapy Fundraiser, Justine is a  principal of J&A Productions, specialists in event, experiential and live show production and project management. J&A Productions projects include the Vodafone NZ Music Awards, Matariki Gourmet Hangi, Urbis Design Day, Barkers 600 Alive, V Block Parties , Air New Zealand Fashion Bombshells, Heineken Green Room Sessions, Lord Of The Rings Symphony Concert, Greenpeace Sign On concert. After living in New York, London and Brazil for almost half her life, Justine's now happily settled in Northcote Point with husband Andy and dog Buster. Besides being obsessed with work and her dog, she loves great food and wine and weekends at the "shed".

Paul McNamara

Paul or 'Macka', as he is known throughout the industry, is a director of Republik Communications, one of New Zealand's most successful and awarded independent advertising agencies.

A true Queen Street farmer, living the past 13 years with his wife Tracey and two children Andre and Sidney on five acres in Albany. Paul has developed his trade over many years, and Republik currently employs 25 staff in Auckland, with a smaller team operating out of offices in Sydney, heading up Republik's Australian based operation.

Paul oversees the agency's new business direction. His ability to connect with clients of all shapes, sizes and requirements allows him to manage expectations and relationships effortlessly. Republik represents some of the biggest local and international brands, including; Microsoft, Xbox 360, Fuji Xerox, Peugeot, Intel, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and NZ King Salmon to name a few. He has a sharp eye for the right idea, delivered at the right time, in the right place.

Paul has worked with Raukatauri, assisting with general marketing requirements since the very beginning and joined the board of trustees in 2011.

Hinewehi Mohi - Ngati Kahungunu/Ngai Tuhoe

(Secretary)

Hinewehi is a co-founder of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre, along with her husband George Bradfield. A singer/songwriter and television producer, Hinewehi received the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Mâori in 2008. She is Community Arts Coordinator Maori, Arts Culture and Events for the Auckland Council.  Hinewehi is also Company Director of Raukatauri Productions and Kina Creative Limited.

Glenn Nightingale

(Treasurer) 

Glenn Nightingale is a chartered accountant working in the area of Business Advisory Services.

Glenn has established himself as one of Auckland's leading accounting practitioners having gained commercial and taxation experience with two international accounting firms (Deloittes and PricewaterhouseCoopers), three of Auckland's five second tier firms (Hayes Knight, Staples Rodway and WHK) and Auckland's leading boutique firm Burns McCurrach where he became a partner.

Glenn has extensive expertise in the following industries:

• Property - working in property development, construction and commercial property investment;
• health sector including all health professionals and charities eg Mental Health Foundation and North Shore Hospital Foundation;
• veterinary;
• not-for-profit sector including charities, incorporated societies and sports organisations; and
• a wide range of small and medium sized retail and manufacturing clients and exporting and importing clients.

Glenn is a keen cyclist, swimmer, runner and ski and kayak paddler and winner of the 2011 year long course triathlon champion of New Zealand for the 50 to 54 age group (Port of Tauranga Half Ironman). Glenn is a keen supporter of surf lifesaving in New Zealand having represented Waihi Surf Lifesaving Club for many years.

Deborah Pead

Deborah is managing director of leading brand building PR consultancy Pead PR. She is considered one of New Zealand's most respected brand PR practitioners and a leading commentator on media matters. Deborah graduated with a B. Soc. Sc. from the University of Natal in South Africa and worked in retail PR before starting her own business. Together with her family, Deborah came to New Zealand in 1995 and founded Pead PR in 2001. The company specialises in brand building public relations and handles NZ PR for some of the nation's and the world's biggest brands. Among them are L'Oréal, Microsoft, Xbox, Samsung, Farmers, RIANZ, several DB brands including Heineken and DB Export, and NZ King Salmon. Pead PR supports the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre in a pro bono capacity. Deborah is married with a grown family, lives in Mt Eden and in downtime relaxes on the family farm north of Auckland.

Paula Polkinghorne

Paula mentored the first Centre Director and was approached to join the Board to add her clinical, governance and fund development networks to the skill set of the Board.

Paula has had a variety of strategic leadership and operational positions in her career within health, disability and software development.

Her passions are organisational development and systems design that support client outcomes through optimal staff performance.

Her interests include reading, gardening, time with friends and family, triathlons and watching sport.