Music Commission News

Each month, we’ll be featuring some members of our music community taking part in both our Industry Internship Programme and Musicians Mentoring in Schools Programme.

This month, we’d like for you to meet Anastassia Naylor and Phodiso Moeng Dintwe. Anastassia currently interns at Darkroom in Ōtautahi under our Industry Internship Programme while artist and producer Phodiso mentors under our Musicians Mentoring in Schools Programme.

MEET THE INTERN: ANASTASSIA

What’s your name and your internship position?
Kia ora! I’m Anastassia (Stassi for short) and I’m an Event Bookings and Promotions Assistant Intern at Darkroom in Ōtautahi. It’s a fun mix of creativity and administration and a surprisingly fun amount of painting!

Outside of your internship, what other things do you get up to?
I run an awesome covers band with my partner and friends! Being able to play music in such a fun setting has always been a dream of mine and being able to do that with my friends just makes it all the better so we have surrendered almost all weekend nights to jumping about on different stages around Christchurch! When I’m not giggin though I’m either out on a walk with friends or coercing them into playing video games with me.

What are you enjoying the most about your internship role so far?
What I’m loving the most is the variety! Each day is different, and I get to be involved in so many aspects of how Darkroom is run! Plus, working closely with one of the co-owners has been an eye-opener—I’ve gained such valuable insights into what it really takes to run a venue in a city that’s still rebuilding.

What are you looking forward to in your role?
I’m so excited for the upcoming seminars that we’ve got lined up! I’ll be helping to run them, alongside some awesome and insightful speakers which I’m just super excited for. Can’t wait to see it all come together!

Photo credit: Alfonso D. Lofredo

MEET THE MENTOR: PHODISO

What’s your name?
Phodiso Moeng Dintwe is my full name. Phodiso is what I go by in everyday life, and when I release music.

How are you connected to music? Do you have any musical projects and/or are you involved in other ways?
I am connected to music as a songwriter, percussionist, vocalist, and mentor. I’m working on a few things at the moment, and of course – it always takes longer than you hope it will. I’m currently on version 8 of a project that should have been out long ago but I swear it’ll be out soon lol.

What do you enjoy most about the Programme?
Probably the enthusiasm, when it’s there. And the opportunity to learn how I might facilitate the sessions better when the enthusiasm is missing. It’s fun being around people who enjoy making music. Even nicer to be able to assist in their development.

What is one of your favourite mentoring memories or moments from the Programme?
When I thought I’d bored the snot out of the students at De La Salle, and later they insisted I come back for more sessions. Turned my frown upside down supa quick.

What aspect of the Programme are you most excited about this year?
It’s always nice hearing why music matters to people. A lot of songwriters/musicians will pour out their hearts about a song, a band, an album or an artist that has profoundly impacted them without you having to ask. I love hearing stories like that.