StarJam

New Trustee: Dick Hubbard

admin — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:57:20 +0000

StarJam is very happy to announce the appointment of Mr Dick Hubbard as a new trustee to StarJam’s board. For those living in Auckland, he will need no introduction. Supporters living in other parts of the globe may not know that Dick Hubbard was the Mayor of Auckland City for three years from 2004 to 2007. His company Hubbard’s Foods is also well known in this part of the world, especially by those who enjoy starting the day with Hubbard’s breakfast foods. Dick has not only been a great supporter of StarJam but has really entered the Jammers’ world.

Dick performing with the Jammers

Dick talking to Jammer, Moana

Dick performed a cameo role in the show StarJam staged to open the Sir Woolf Fisher Arena at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in 2005 in Manukau City. He accepted an invitation to be in the wheelchair dance section of the show, “I believe I can fly”, and got dancing with our Jammers. As well as attending rehearsals for the show, he attended our post-show Certificate of Stardom presentation and our end of year disco party. Our trustees are very much looking forward to working with Dick in the future.

World Premiere of ‘Side by Side’

admin — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:47:31 +0000

In our green fluffy slippers, and green fluffy socks, Our big fluffy coats, and our green fluffy frocks, our long fluffy ears, and to top all that, our beautiful fluffy hats!
Don’t worry, StarJam hasn’t gone completely fluffy! These are some of the lyrics of The Fluffy Hat Song written by Jammers that received an encore at the inaugural concert of StarJam’s Velvet Vocals.
The talented singers treated a select group of lucky friends and family to a night of entertainment featuring group songs including We are the World, and the WORLD PREMIERE of Side by Side….check out these amazing lyrics from the song written by StarJam tutor and original Jammer, Jonathan Heaps:

“Tonight, there’s something in the air,
As I stand upon the threshold of my life,
At the peak of everything.
I can’t explain the feeling,
Like a thousand dreams have come to life, they call to me,
All I have to do is live them…”

The Velvet Vocals performing at their inaugural concert.

Moana sings a beautiful rendition of ‘One Day’ by Kiwi band Op Shop

The audience was also wowed by solo performances from Moana Mani, Amy & Jessica Wootton, and Natalie Te Paa who sung her own song Aim High, which she dedicated to StarJam tutor Sayulee Webster who has recently moved to Japan. Natalie’s lyrics summed up the mood and energy of the entire performance:

“…Aim high, high until you reach the sky. Aim high, best is all you can be. I’m not afraid to let these feelings out - because of you I can overcome my doubt…”

Ben ROCKS at Rockquest

admin — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:33:01 +0000

Ben Matthews ROCKS
StarJam already knew Ben Matthews was destined for big things after some stunning group and solo performances at StarJam’s monthly gatherings, but it has also just been confirmed by one of the biggest nationwide music events in New Zealand –the Smokefree Rockquest. Every year this music extravaganza reaches over 100,000 people in audience numbers. Ben recently made it through the heats to perform at the Manukau regional finals!
The audience packed in for a stunning night of music, rock and entertainment. Ben was quite nervous, but his sisters and parents went along for support and to cheer him on. Ben was the 3rd act on the night, and played and sung two of his own original songs called Runaway With MeUninspired Melodies.

Ben performing at the Manukau regional finals.

Ben (3rd from left) with the StarJam Groovy Guitarists.

Ben had been wanting to play the guitar since he was seven years old, and after a number of attempts at learning in traditional classes, Ben gave up. Ben was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at 13 years of age. He enjoys music and maths, and is a really strong swimmer. In 2006 Ben joined StarJam and hooked up with tutor Bob Fleming. In StarJam’s Groovy Guitar workshop Ben has flourished. He has now written over 40 songs and is known for ‘thinking on his feet’ when it comes to choosing a song to perform. Ben’s mum Janet believes that Ben enjoys StarJam because he “doesn’t have to act ‘normal’.”
StarJam is incredibly proud of Ben who WON the PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD at the Manukau finals! The audience voted for who they thought was the best on the night by text. Ben, under the stage name “Toby Keet” had the MOST texts and is now making a 15 minute music video to be considered for the national finals.
Previous winners of the Rockquest include members of Evermore, Elemeno P, Nesian Mystic, Fat Freddys Drop, and Brooke Fraser. GO BEN!

Jammers filmed for TV series

admin — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:48:17 +0000

‘The Pretenders’ - Jammers filmed for upcoming TV series
Our Jammers were recently invited to be part of a TV series to screen later this year. ‘The Pretenders’ is a bit of a spoof on election campaigning. Main character, ‘Dennis’ the politician comes to visit the Jammers who are doing various fun things. He’s trying to score points in his campaign to gain popularity, but when he meets the Jammers he gets more than he bargained for. The story will unfold when it goes to air but for now, most of the Jammers are basking in their first on screen acting opportunity.

The cameras rolled up and the Jammers had a ball.

Dylan Levien and Freedom Harrison.

The cameras capture awesome acting.

As soon as we know when it will hit the TV screen, we will also let you know. Thanks to everyone at Great Southern TV for this opportunity and a great day.

New StarJam ‘Heroes’ Announced

admin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:57:14 +0000

StarJam Hero Awards
On 31st May at our monthly gathering in Auckland, we had our second ever presentation of Hero Awards. Even though it was a three day weekend luring many people out of town, over 100 Jammers and their supporters came to enjoy the Awards presentation, the CoolJam Show Offs and enjoy each other’s company. TV2 presenters Dayna Vawdrey and Matt Gibb kindly came to present the Awards. Again, as with the first series of awards, each member of the StarJam office team, nominated a hero.

Joshua Dainty was the first up in our new batch of heroes. Josh was nominated by Julie Bartlett for bravery and courage. He has done extremely well at school recently despite some big physical challenges and lots of changes in his life.

Josh receives his award from Matt & Dayna.

In 2007, Josh (bottom right) during the recording of Queen of Hearts.

Katrina Williams was ‘dobbed in’ by Jessie Harris. At the West Auckland Sensational Singing workshop, the Jammers bring along their favourite CDs for their solo and duet items. Katrina noticed that fellow Jammer, Matthew Brent-Jones, who recently joined the workshop, wasn’t bringing along any CDs. So she figured out what his favourite music was and following week brought along a CD of Matthew’s fave music for him. Her thoughtfulness was noticed…and very much appreciated.

Matt & Dayna congratulate a smiling Katrina.

Katrina in StarJam Rocks ‘05 (Picture by Patrick Bellett)

Daniel Gourlay nominated Callum Attwell for his courage to fly stunts in a tiny plane. It is true that many were envious of Callum winning this prize but they were put to the test during the awards presentation. We screened the video of the flight, which was shot by pilot Richard Hood. Everyone watching made loud ooooh and ahhhhh noises as the planed turned upside down and the land swapped places with the sky over and over. Fasten your seatbelt and watch the video here

Callum receives his Hero award from Matt & Dayna.

At Whangarei airport, pilot Richard Hood with his two ’suspects’, Mark and Callum.

Sheryl Takayama nominated volunteer, Janene Laughton. Janene has gone an extra hundered miles in providing support for the ‘Westie’ Singers who are a super-energetic and enthusiastic bunch of Jammers. This workshop is bursting at the seams and there have been more than a few tears shed when it comes to enrolment time each term and the places are all very quickly taken up.

Hugs all round as Janene receives her Hero award.

Janene lines up for her photo with Matt & Dayna.

Darryl Pascoe is that kind of guy who’s always in the right place at the right time. Darryl who is reliably there to set up what ever needs setting up and to pack it away afterwards, was nominated by Roy Bartlett. He’s a volunteer extraordinaire!

Darryl setting up drums at a rehearsal.

Darryl seems to enjoy the hugs for heroes too.

CoolJam Show Offs
This month we were treated to a brilliant ’show off’ by Central Groovy Guitars. They have achieved so much in a short time. Newest Groovy Guitarist Nicholas Leggat gave a performance of a song he has just written after joining the workshop only a few months ago. There was pin-drop silence as he started singing but then captured by the song, everyone started clapping along. He appeared very happy with his first ever performance. While a few people were wiping away tears, the Central Hip Hoppers took to the floow to show off their latest moves. Great stuff!

Groovy Guitarist, Nicholas Leggat after his solo.

The Central Hip Hoppers with their cool moves.

New Velvet Vocals Workshop

admin — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:47:46 +0000

Move over Justin Timberlake – make room for the Velvet Vocals workshop

We have two great tutors for the new Velvet Vocals singing workshop. Jono Heaps, one of StarJam’s original “Jammers” who has already enjoyed an exciting array of jamming adventures, is very enthusiastic about leading this new group. Jono is StarJam’s youngest CoolJam workshop tutor.

Also tutoring this group with Jono, we have Joanie Bartels. Selling over 3 million albums, Joanie is USA’s top-selling singer and songwriter of children’s music. Jono and Joanie are discovering the immense combined talent of these Jammers, some who have been StarJam stars for several years and others new to the StarJam family. They aim to release their own song this year.

Jono Heaps with Jay Leno (during a Jamming trip in USA) and Joanie Bartels with Jammer Ashley Phillips

At the Velvet Vocals workshop, Bonnie Pascoe, Grace Lee, Isaac Toafa, Moana Mani, Gavin Allpress, Katie Nash, Natalie Te Paa, Jessica Wootton, Amy Wootton and Olivia Shivas relax in between songs

Katrina

admin — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:54:07 +0000

More about Katrina
Katrina is a highly enthusiastic performer who just loves being on stage. She participates in StarJam’s singing and hip hop workshops and never misses a session. She dreams of becoming a famous singer and would love to study art at Unitec.

Amy

admin — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:44:28 +0000

More about Amy
Amy joined StarJam last year and has quickly become a star of the dancing workshop. She loves to perform with her workshop group and make new friends.

Ben

admin — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:39:35 +0000

More about Ben
Ben has a real talent for music - he plays the piano, saxophone and trumpet. Since the StarJam workshops started, Ben has now written more than 40 of his own original songs. He has performed his songs at many StarJam events, including the first CoolJam show in November 2006. Ben now dreams of recording an album and getting it on i-tunes. He is currently trying to start a band, so watch this space!

Olivia

admin — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:34:50 +0000

More about Olivia
Olivia is a versatile performer. She plays the violin and sings in one of StarJam’s workshops. She was part of the StarJam group that travelled to USA in 2006. Olivia interviewed Sean Astin and performed to Arnold Schwarzenegger.