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 Will and Keria. Will currently interns at Creative Capital Arts Trust under our Industry Internship Programme. Our mentor Keria has been mentoring under the programme for the last two years – you may know Keria for their many musical projects including K M T P, Soft Bait and more.

MEET THE INTERN: WILL

What’s your name and your internship position?
Kia ora! My name is Will Hanlon and I’m currently interning at Creative Capital Arts Trust, working in the Artist Liaison role to help organise and deliver this year’s iconic CubaDupa festival!

Outside of your internship, what other things do you get up to?
I’m a musician, so there’s nothing I love doing more with my time than playing, creating, and listening to music – especially with my beautiful friends and whānau! I perform around Pōneke with groups like Groove Council, Caught Inside, Fruit Loops and Fine Wine Social Club, and I’m also currently developing some dubious crocheting skills.

What are you enjoying the most about your internship role so far?
Everyone at CCAT is immersed in the arts in their own unique way, so it’s been delightful working in an environment where we all draw upon our creativity to take on the logistically and organisationally dense challenges of running a festival.

What has been something cool or interesting you’ve learnt in your internship?
I thought I knew Aotearoa music pretty well, but working with this lovely local lineup has taught me that the scope of marvellous and magical music being created here is even wider than I already thought!

What are you looking forward to?
Unsurprisingly, the main thing I’m abundantly excited for is to see all of our mahi bloom into joyous celebration for Pōneke and Aotearoa on CubaDupa weekend! A few artists I personally can’t wait to see perform are Te KuraHuia, Crystal Chen, and The Circling Sun!

Photo credit: Camden Jackson

MEET THE MENTOR: KERIA

What’s your name and how long have you been involved with the Programme?
My name is Keria Paterson and have been involved in the Programme since mid 2023.

How are you connected to music? Do you have any musical projects and/or are you involved in other ways?
I’m a solo artist and release music as K M T P, and I also play bass in the band Soft Bait. I also work in events as a technician, specialising in various roles, as well as working with bands like Ladyhawke and Troy Kingi.

What do you enjoy most about the Programme?
I had a similar programme run through my high school when I attended, where my music teacher would bring in industry professionals to meet and talk about their involvement in the industry. I really valued that engagement, and felt privileged to be asked to mentor for NZMC. I love to share my insight, both creative and technical, with the next generation of artists.

What is one of your favourite mentoring memories or moments from the Programme?
I was able to visit my old high school (Kaipara College) last year, and worked through the Gig Starters programme with them. As a school who already pushes students to prepare for live performances both in and out of school, it was a great experience to help them think on a bigger scale, and to try and push the boundaries of what a small school can achieve.

What aspect of the Programme are you most excited about this year?
I’m excited to get back into mentoring, and hopefully touching on different aspects of the industry I haven’t already talked about. I’m excited to meet some new tamariki who bring new and creative ideas to the table.

Photo credit: Frances Carter