Creative Arts and Performance student stories

Outside opportunities
“There were plenty of opportunities outside our classes, like workshops, internships and intensives where we worked closely with people in the industry and learned how to manage our time and commitments.”

I loved the variety
“I loved the variety of the degree and the ability to tailor assignments according to my interests and skills. We also learned practical professional skills such as writing funding applications, advocating for ourselves and networking. It provided a great basis to jump into the ‘real world’.”

Producing my own work
“I recently produced my own work, Cityscapes, performed by eight dancers on the Auckland Waterfront. I love presenting dance work in non-conventional spaces, sharing and making dance accessible to the public and watching their reactions. It was such a joyous project.

Connections
“Dance Studies is a whānau. The connections you make with your lecturers and classmates become essential in your career, and you’ll make friendships that will last for years. Many of the people I work with in the industry studied with me.

“Dance can be a catalyst for anything you want to pursue in life.”
 

“I’ve been a dancer since I was little. I love moving, but I wanted to see just how wide dance studies could be outside of that. I hope this qualification can take me to postgraduate study, perhaps somewhere like China or South Korea."

Support in planning my future

“Dance Studies is so open and friendly. If I ever have any queries or just want to make sure of something, there are people I feel comfortable talking to. I’ve found people who have done postgraduate studies in areas that interest me. It’s been so easy to talk with them to help plan my future. Everyone here wants to see you succeed."

The challenges have increased my confidence

“I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone so many times, which is important for someone like me who might settle with ‘comfortable’. I’ve become more confident in myself and my abilities.

“I really enjoyed a course called Dance History and Contexts because it was such an interesting exploration of both practical and theoretical work. It’s like that with a lot of the courses."

Clubs and facilities

“But it’s not all about study. I love all the clubs there are! I found the KPop Planet club, which is perfect for me! I’ve made so many new friends through the club. There’s so much extracurricular support like gym facilities, counselling and cheap physiotherapy (especially important for me).”

Villa is a graduate of the Bachelor of Dance Studies. He works as a freelance dancer and actor. He’s also a Professional Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland.

Freelance work
“I’ve been freelancing as a dancer and choreographer since 2016, even while I was studying. I find creating my own works really rewarding as well as challenging. I have all of these tools now and I can just go and create something however and whenever I want. There is nothing more freeing than being able to create something that is yours.

Critical thinking
“My own works are drawn from honest and personal topics that I want to share. Every creative practice involves a lot of critical thinking. Studying dance has opened my eyes to intellectual discussions around the craft of dance, which has helped me understand that it’s more than just cool moves on a stage. It can be an analysis of ideas, themes, inspirations and politics. Artists are smart. Great art has layers of conversations behind it.

“If you’re serious about dance and curious as to how to take your craft further, both physically and intellectually, then study it thoroughly. You pick up so many transferable skills during your study, like collaboration, discipline, time management, and research.

Career direction
“It’s important to come into the programme with an idea of where you are wanting to go, but don’t get too caught up about it. You learn about other opportunities that dance has to offer. You just have to work for it. I came in wanting to be a high school teacher, but I learned more about the dance world, and my career interests then guided me to the path I’m on now. I think I’d be ready to teach in the long term, but for now, I want to gain more experience and develop my craft by dancing and acting in projects, because I genuinely enjoy it.”

Many pathways
“I wanted to fully commit to making dance a part of my future but wasn’t sure if I could make a career of it. The Dance Studies programme at the University of Auckland best suited my desires and passions, and I was amazed to discover all the possible pathways dance could take me.

“During my degree, I constantly had lightbulb moments as I started to see my work come together and witness my efforts pay off. There were many different performance opportunities, and I learnt how valuable it is to be confident in your own skin and what you have to offer.

Support
“My lecturers and tutors were extremely helpful. They helped me work out a plan to allow me to complete my studies while training full-time, and I am forever thankful for that. I also formed special connections with my classmates which were pivotal in that chapter of my life.

Teaching dance
“The most rewarding thing about being a dance teacher is fostering connections with my students. I love witnessing their growth and developing an environment where they feel safe to express themselves and take risks.

Travelling the world
“I’m so grateful for the journey dance has taken me on. I have been able to travel the world, training with Parris Goebel and performing in music videos for Justin Bieber and Ciara. I want to share the knowledge I have learnt through my career and make dance an enjoyable, accessible and positive experience for every learner, regardless of age, gender or ability.

“Studying Dance opens up endless opportunities to be exposed to different perspectives and learn from masters in their fields. Dance allows you the space to find your creative voice and realise what you can bring to the world.”
 

Career ready
“My tertiary studies, the support of my ‘aiga and village, Pacific cultural values, and extracurricular activities helped me to gain work as the Pacific Policy Advisor at Universities New Zealand Te Pōkai Tara, alongside my role as a Contemporary Dance Tutor at the New Zealand School of Dance.

“The ability to collaborate, empathise and work with bodies in a space through performance, choreography and education in dance strengthened my ability to adapt to the different social, cultural and work environments. I’m constantly moving between these worlds – whether it’s the policy space or the teaching space.”

My lecturers
“My lecturers at university were caring, understanding and had so much patience for a student like me who loved to push the boundaries! The experiences and wisdom amongst the teachers in the Dance Studies Programme makes me now realise how lucky I was to learn with them.”

Invest in yourself
“Study what you’re passionate about! A Dance Studies degree will give you a skillset that is valuable for a career in the arts and transferrable to careers beyond the arts. Think of a degree in Dance Studies as investing in yourself – building up your confidence, knowledge, networks and skills in order to find a fulfilling career that can benefit you, your ‘aiga/whānau and society.”
 

A varied curriculum

"The curriculum at Elam embraced my need to try everything. I was introduced to various mediums that I had never been able to experience – performance art and sculpture, most importantly. I learned the value of play, experimentation and asking questions."

Applying critical thinking
"What I learned most at Elam is how to apply critical thinking to my art practice. Learning the skills to harness my intention allowed me to explore topics I care about, such as identity, mental health, queerness, body image, existentialism, and feminism. I have been able to recognise what I would like to create. I make illustrations that create a safe space for tough conversations while being light-hearted and approachable in everyday life."

Is Fine Arts for you?
"Coming from a chronic overthinker, the best advice I have is to keep it simple when deciding where you would like to continue your career path. Are you a creative person who wants to learn more, connect with like-minded creatives and work with mediums you've never tried? Then come study at Elam."
 

“I knew Elam was going to be challenging for me because I had a traditional training in art. I learned that there are seriously no boundaries in art and to accept all forms and moments in art. I learned to justify and consider all my decisions in order to create a really robust practice that still has plenty of room to move forward. I’m comfortable enough in my own practice that I don’t mind operating on the periphery or defining my own path.”

Conjoint programmes

“A conjoint gives you breathing space to explore ideas and develop them in other ways that aren’t producing an ‘art’ outcome. I loved my BA in Māori Studies and Media, Film and Television. It pushed me to research and write, which is the core of an art practice. I found it fulfilling and interesting, it really complemented my time at Elam.”

Sharing my art internationally

“Learning how to beat aute and working out how to paint on it has been the highlight of my career. I’ve exhibited in Hong Kong and I’ve been invited to participate in the Kathmandu Triennale. I’ve had collectors purchase my work, but creating the first piece of art someone buys in their life is a special feeling too.”

Follow your heart

“If you know in your heart that you are an artist, honour yourself and go to art school. If you know you are a creative thinker, then art school is the place for you.”

*The School has now replaced its Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) degree with a new Bachelor of Fine Arts, which includes 11 conjoint options.

Pursuing my ambitions

“Having grown up in a large, low-income family in West Auckland, it was my dream to offset the inequities we’ve faced over the years. My family are really proud that I pursued my ambitions.

“I was sold on the School’s conceptual focus of art-making because I also have a passion for research and wanted to delve into more critical thinking. The supervisors and lecturers are the loveliest. I always felt supported.

My evolving practice

“It takes resilience to accept criticism, especially when you feel connected to your art. Over the years, I’ve learnt to tighten up my practice. The criticisms lessened, and my art felt more resolved.

“There is no need to abandon who you are to succeed in the contemporary art world. And that goes especially for Māori and Pacific students. During my first two years, I struggled and tried to make art that seemed appropriate. It was only when I started exploring who I was and where I came from that I excelled – both in figuring out the histories of my people, and in the classroom.

Career

“If you have a passion for art, there are career options far beyond working in a gallery or as an artist. Elam teaches more than just art, and you can always branch out with electives.

“In my role as a policy analyst, I have found that I can apply a different perspective to policy issues from the skills I picked up at Elam. I’ve often suggested options that others in my team didn’t think of.

“Mauria te pono. Believe in yourself.”

Shifting my thinking and practice
“What I love about art is being able to create, express and share. I’m constantly learning about myself, my environment and everything else.

“Studying Fine Arts taught me to put aside what I thought I knew and wanted to do. This allowed me to express myself in new ways and with a range of materials that I didn’t previously think were possible. When I returned to portrait painting, my understanding of the subject and the look of my work had changed. I had a whole new appreciation of what I was creating and why.

“Critical thinking was one of the most valuable skills I learned from my degree. I also realised that an idea can be communicated in infinite ways, and I don’t have to restrict myself to one form of creativity. Ultimately, this helped me in creating more authentic work.

Why Elam
“I chose to study at Elam because I was captivated by the resources and the diverse classes on offer. The number of established artists from Aotearoa New Zealand who have graduated from the School was also reassuring.

My current focus
“Currently, my main focus is on my art. I paint out of a small studio in Auckland three to four days a week and recently exhibited my paintings in two group shows. Through these projects, I am building up towards a solo show. I hope to keep connecting and collaborating through art and see what evolves.”
 

Diving in the deep end
"Music is a beautiful, challenging path, but I would not be where I am if I didn’t just dive into the deep end. The people around you, your friends, lecturers, teachers, colleagues and coaches, will be your support structure. I love this career and would have never known that if I had never tried.

"I chose the University of Auckland to study with Dr Te Oti Rakena. I saw the amazing singers coming out of his studio and wanted to be part of that group."

Masterclasses
"During my study, I was consistently invited to perform in masterclasses for leading industry singers like Simon O’Neill, Jonathan Lemalu, Pene Pati and Amina Edris. They all inspired me and have been crucial to my career trajectory. I loved all the music staff I studied with. It genuinely felt like we were family. The teachers inspired me to open my mind to other aspects of music – rather than just singing my songs."

A sense of community
"I value the sense of community cultivated at the School of Music. We singers developed together, navigating challenges and great times. Now that many of us are overseas, we look back and are so grateful to have these stories to tell.

"If you are deciding what to study but love music and don’t see yourself doing anything else, study music!"
 

“Our final exams were actually a favourite of mine! We got to organise, arrange and direct a full-on performance. That challenged me all-round, and I drew upon skills I’d never used previously. During regular classes, I really enjoyed the ‘break out’ collaborative sessions. We took a concept and criteria and wrote together in a short timeframe. That’s stressful, but exactly how things are in the real world – so if you cope during those lectures, you can feel very confident for the future.”

Rehearsal spaces and assignments

“The rehearsal and studio spaces were another highlight. I was in there almost every day working on projects and collaborating. I won’t shy away from the fact that I’m actually a bit of a geek. I found the music analysis assignments extremely satisfying. The idea of writing essays was a bit spooky, but those assignments changed the way I perceived and experienced music.”

My gap year

“I took a gap year in 2018 and chased the music grind in Australia, freelancing and working with Warner Music. Since graduating, I’ve branched out further internationally, mixing and co-producing. And I’m now manager for another BMus graduate, JARNA. She’s come so far so quickly!”

Giving back

“I want to give back to the next generation of talented musicians, so I decided to pursue a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching. The music industry is evolving at a rapid pace. Our young musicians deserve to know what it’s really like, and what skills are most beneficial.”

My inspiration

“I work as a violin tutor at Sistema Aotearoa, a music and social development programme based in Ōtara, South Auckland. My style of teaching is inspired by how I was taught violin at the School of Music.

“When my parents came to New Zealand from Tonga, music was all they had. Music brings my family together and it’s a common ground for everyone. That’s why I chose to follow music as a career.

 My studies and conducting experience

“Throughout my degree, I studied chamber music, conducting, choir, brass ensemble, string ensemble, and orchestra, in addition to solo lessons. I was also very lucky to make life-long friends through baroque and chamber groups.

“The lecturers and tutors in the School of Music are all very friendly. I’m so grateful for the support they offered.

“In 2022, I had the incredible experience of conducting musicians of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as part of the Pasifika Conductors Masterclass. We received guidance from an internationally renowned conductor. What stood out to me was how the musicians were so helpful and down to earth. It was the experience of a lifetime.

“If you’re thinking about studying Music at the University of Auckland, just go for it!”