Our Trust is on a mission to keep developing the original music scene in Taranaki into the future.
We formed in July 2023 and became a registered charity in January 2024.
The Trust grew out of the success of our founding event Singer Songwriters New Plymouth which began as an open-mic night in 2006 at a bar in New Plymouth. This event is still going strong nearly two decades later. It is a monthly highlight of the Taranaki entertainment calendar and a testament to the passion of local musicians, audiences, and organisers who have kept it going so long. We think it’s the longest running songwriter event in the country.
The Trust is working behind the scenes to make more performance opportunities for local singer songwriters, provide education and development and build opportunities for original music in the local arts and entertainment scene.
We are grateful to our foundation event partners New Plymouth Little Theatre, Manella Productions and Swamp Shack Studios and the many wonderful sponsors who support the Trust’s work keep live, original Taranaki-made music flowing into world.
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
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Our Trustees
Heather Kadlec
Chair
Heather Kadlec hails from Canada and made New Zealand her home in 2003. She settled in New Plymouth with her husband and their two young boys. Music has always been a big part of Heather’s life – she has a love for concerts and festivals and the tunes are always playing at home.
Heather’s career spans multiple industries, including telecommunications, media, and health. She brings leadership skills, structure, and a wealth of corporate experience to the trust. As one of the newest members, Heather is passionate about contributing to the growth of the Taranaki music scene.
Adrian Whelan
Trustee
Adrian Whelan, originally from Ireland, has proudly called Taranaki home since 2008. As a member of local folk trio Turkey the Bird and a long-time supporter of the Singer Songwriters community, Adrian has spent many years championing original music and grassroots creativity. With a background in performance, both music and theatre Adrian understands the importance of creating spaces where artists can thrive. He is passionate about fostering opportunities for emerging talent and strengthening the region’s creative identity. Adrian believes strongly in the power of music and storytelling to bring people together, and he is dedicated to helping the trust continue its work supporting Taranaki’s vibrant arts community.
Andre Nobbs
Trustee
This Andre joined the Trust in November 2023. Andre brings a huge wealth of leadership and entertainment industry experience to the Board. He’s a man with many fingers in many pies here in Aotearoa NZ, round the pacific including his Norfolk Island homeland and internationally as he builds a better world one exciting project at time!
Andre is a family and music man. He’s a songwriter, plays guitar and harmonica and has even been known to write the odd award-winning movie soundtrack aaaaaand he’s the only trustee who’s ever been a prime minister and have his own stamp!
André Manella
Trustee
André Manella is a Swiss/kiwi musician who has made Taranaki his home in 2007. He's a part of, and manages, 3 original bands (Sonic Delusion, Turkey the Bird & Banana Mundo).
Among playing countless shows all across New Zealand and even internationally he also organises the Taranaki Singer Songwriters events. He is using his experience he gained as a full time touring musician to help grow the local Taranaki music scene by creating countless opportunities for local bands and artists through his production and live music catering company Manella Productions.
Anne Dawson
Treasurer
Anne doesn’t have a musical bone in her body, much to her regret. Instead, music has been the soundtrack that has accompanied her as she moved through a range of careers, from lab technician, to schoolteacher, from Speedway NZ to the coffee industry and community radio.
She is a proud supporter and champion of local talent.
Along the way she has picked up some great admin skills that have come in handy in her past governance roles. Anne sees the Taranaki Singer Songwriters as a wonderful kohanga waiata for local up and coming musicians, and is proud to be a part of the TSS team.
Sherrie Flanagan
Secretary
Ko Ngāti Toarangatira, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama ngā iwi
I whānau mai au i Heretaunga
I tipu ake au i Wairarapa
Kei Ōpunakē tōku kāinga
Ko Sherrie Flanagan tōku ingoa
Sherrie Flanagan hails from the east and made Taranaki her home 17 years ago, where she and her husband have raised their two sons. Music has always been a central part of Sherrie’s life journey, and she realised a long-held dream through Moemoeā, which was founded from the Taranaki Singer Songwriters nights held at The Little Theatre in New Plymouth.
Sherrie brings experience in project management, organisation, and collaboration gained through her work across public services, non-government organisations, and local community groups. She joins the Taranaki Singer Songwriters Trust with a strong desire to give back to the community that supported her in achieving a childhood dream of writing and performing her own music, and to help create pathways for others to realise their own musical aspirations.