Patrons and Trustees

Patrons, Ambassadors and Trustees

Patrons

Bill Sevesi 2007-2016
Bill Sevesi was a founding patron of NZ Ukulele Trust.
Bill's dream that “every child in NZ would get the chance to learn to play the ukulele” continues to inspire the NZUT to help the dream become a reality!
You can learn more about his wonderful legacy here – www.billsevesi.com

Kevin Fogarty
Kevin Fogarty was one of the founding Trustees in 2008 and served as an active Trustee from 2008-2010. He is the composer of the Kiwi Ukulele song (Kiwileles anthem) which is still a popular part of the Kiwileles Songbank.

Ambassadors

Suzy Cato
We are delighted to welcome Suzy Cato as a Kiwileles Ambassador in 2023. Suzy is a much loved entertainer, radio host, TV presenter & producer, and supporter of anything and everything that benefits our tamariki in Aotearoa!

She hosted our Auckland Kiwileles Jams in 2022 and has kindly agreed to support our kaupapa by becoming an Ambassador for the NZ Ukulele Trust. Kia ora Suzy - we appreciate everything you do!

Life Members

Maria Winder
Maria was a founding trustee and director of music education for the NZ Ukulele Trust (2007-2021). She was awarded an MNZM for services to music education in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday honours.

Masina Taulapapa
Masina Taulapapa was a trustee from Apr 2020 - Sep 2022 and during her time as co-chair, she skilfully guided the board through the most challenging of times during the pandemic, setting the NZUT up to be the national organisation we are today.

Trustees

Tim Carson – Chair
Kia ora koutou! I tipu ake ahau ki Maniototo, kei te noho ahau ki Tāmaki Makaurau inaianei. Ko Tim Carson toku ingoa.
Inspired by his work wife and mentor Maria Winder, Tim believes that every child in Aotearoa New Zealand should have access to a quality music education. He is an EdD candidate investigating how the ukulele can foster self-regulated learning in the primary classroom.

Ali Caldwell – Education
Kia ora koutou! My name is Ali Caldwell and I came to Ōtepoti Dunedin from London in 1994. I am a passionate music educator and believe every child deserves to discover their musical talent in a supportive, safe and well resourced musical environment.
I started the Dunedin Ukulele Kids’ Jam in 2010 with my colleagues from Music Education Otago after meeting Maria Winder and attending the NZ Ukulele Festival in Auckland and it has been my privilege to ‘rock out’ with the tamariki of Dunedin every year since! I am proud to be part of the NZ Ukulele Trust and contribute to a nationwide musical experience for children and teachers in Aotearoa.

Andrew Phillips – Governance
Tēnā koutou katoa, ko Andrew Phillips toku ingoa. I joined the NZ Ukulele Trust in early 2020, hoping to use some of my legal and regulatory experience, and marginal ukulele skills, to contribute back to the community. I have a real passion for the educational potential of the ukulele. It’s simple, easy to learn, and gives kids a sense of what music can do. I’m honoured to be working with such a passionate group of people who empower Aotearoa’s tamariki to achieve their musical goals. My musical influences are reasonably broad, but my most played ukulele songs are all from musicals (Frozen, Moana, Hamilton) that I play for my niece, despite her protests.

Sean Dean – Education
Kia ora, my name is Sean Dean and I am a Primary Teacher in Auckland. I have always enjoyed getting stuck right into music and play guitar, however, I had never played the ukulele before I joined the Kiwileles 10 years ago. I was really impressed with how my students took to the instrument and loved how it opened up a channel to discuss music, songs, poetry and lyrics! I have been fortunate enough to attend the NZ Ukulele Festival in the past and have enjoyed the versatility of the online resources which were golden through learning from home when in lockdowns. I’ve always loved how versatile the ukulele is and I am really looking forward to making a positive impact by sharing the opportunity to learn with our tamariki across New Zealand!

Bron Edwards-Pattinson
Kia ora, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn to read music and play the piano when I was growing up. I went on to learn the flute and later the ukulele. I feel that every child should be given the opportunity to learn a musical instrument for mental development and discovering their musical talent. I have recently joined the New Zealand Ukulele Trust as I believe in their initiative to support as many schools as possible with their musical education programmes through ukulele.

Ajay Ravindran
Kia ora! My name is Ajay, I’ve been playing the ukulele since 2012 and loving music for a long time before that. I’ve had a background and experience in a number of areas including science, technology startups, youth empowerment, public policy and foreign affairs. I think music is such an important part of life and the ukulele offers a fantastic opportunity for young people (and those young at heart) to develop a positive relationship with the arts. For us in Aotearoa, it’s also an amazing way to engage with waiata Māori!

Support Team

Christina Reid – Administration
Kia ora, my name is Christina and I'm the Administrator for the NZ Ukulele Trust. I live in rural South Auckland and first got involved with the NZUT when my daughter began her Kiwileles journey in 2014 and continued when she became a NZUT Squad member from 2017 to 2022. I started as the Administrator in mid October 2019 and find it very satisfying working in a role that has a positive impact on so many lives around the country. My family has experienced first hand the influence of the NZUT - I'm glad to be a part of this organisation and enjoy building relationships with all those I connect with in this position.

Philip Griffin - Musical Director
Philip Griffin is the talented Musical Director of The NZ Ukulele Trust (Songbank resources and Squads). With a Master of Music from Auckland University, he is an expert in stringed and fretted instruments, a composer and arranger of music for ukulele orchestras, and has taught in classrooms in New Zealand and Australia.