Kristal & Josh

Each Thursday, a little group of friends gathers in Raukatauri’s Northland Regional Centre in the middle of Whangārei. They come through the doors, almost bursting with excitement to see everyone. Two of these friends (who happen to also be siblings) are Kristal and Josh. Along with their music and dance movement therapists, Katie and Jan, these two spunky young people have thrived as part of Raukatauri’s ‘Move It Groove It’ music and movement therapy group.

Kristal has a rare genetic brain condition which limits her speech, but she is incredibly social, and loves the opportunity to dance with others, join a drum circle, or sing her favourite songs. Meanwhile Josh, with a phenomenal sense of embodied empathy, often leads the group in creative movement, or shares his blistering guitar solos for a rendition of Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’. Each friend at ‘Move It Groove It’ is a joyful and creative music-maker. But perhaps most importantly, each of them have another layer of richly connected community, belonging and friendship through music therapy.