Team Members

Mary Ansell

Team Member

CEO

Michelle Nuttall

Team Member

Accounts Administrator

Vanessa Fowles

Team Member

Grants Writer

Tracy Bent

Team Member

Events & Communications Coordinator
Kia ora I'm Tracy. I've lived in beautiful Auckland for the past 20 years. I love food and travel and write about it in my spare time. I have two beautiful boys, aged 8 and 3, who keep me on my toes. We love spending time together in the outdoors at beaches and parks. Prior to joining StarJam, I worked in corporate finance for over 13 years. I believe music is magic, and being able to see the power of music at StarJam is such an incredible feeling and honour.

Jaz Yahel

Team Member

National Programmes Coordinator

Emily Mackenzie

Team Member

Auckland North Regional Programmes Coordinator
Hi, I’m Emily. I have found my home in Auckland over the last 6 years, although I grew up in Hamilton. Dance has and always will be a big part of my life! I also enjoy reading, baking and lazy Sundays! I am so grateful to be a part of the StarJam whanau and share my love of dance and the arts with an amazing community of people!

Janette Howe

Team Member

Auckland South Regional Programmes Coordinator
I am a champion for StarJam, writer, documentary-maker and child-rights advocate based in Tāmaki Makaurau. I grew up in Napier, in a small place called Greenmeadows, which cemented my love of wine and the outdoors! I am a fifth generation Pākehā New Zealander. I grew up learning dance then started to act which gave me the power to imagine who I could be. I now have two teenage children and I love to watch them perform (on the sports field or stage). Now I have the opportunity through StarJam to spread this love for performance to our wonderful inspiring jammers.

Troy Gaudencio

Team Member

Waikato Regional Programmes Coordinator
Kia ora! I’m very fortunate to call Hamilton home. I was initiated into StarJam as a volunteer, and then as the Regional Programme Coordinator for the mighty Waikato. Over that time it’s been wonderful to watch us grow from 6 workshops to 10! Witnessing the joy our Jammers get out of their workshops is the best part of my role. When I’m not coordinating our workshops, discos & gigs; you will find me fishing, woodworking or playing guitar. I would love to hear from you if you would like to get involved with StarJam as a tutor, volunteer or a Jammer!

Zoe Christall

Team Member

Wellington Regional Programmes Coordinator
Kia ora tātau! I am an artist, a cat-lover and wannabe circus aerialist living in Windy Wellington, though I was raised in Sunny Hawke’s Bay. He taha Māori, taha Pākehā ōku. Kei te Matau a Māui, kei Horowhenua ngā rohe o aku iwi | I’m Māori and also Pākehā, with iwi connections in Hawke’s Bay and Horowhenua. Performing arts has given me nothing but joy, empathy and connection to my inner child. Everyone deserves to experience the transformative power of the arts and I am honoured to be a part of that movement here with StarJam in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

Gabrielle Lilleyman

Team Member

Christchurch Regional Programmes Coordinator
Talofa lava! Originally from mighty Timaru I am now settled in the lovely Christchurch. I’ve always been singing and dancing through life. I am also a lover of gym classes, bubble tea and nail art. I am blessed to be a blend of Pākehā and Samoan. StarJam is close to my heart as singing, dancing and performing has helped me continually discover myself and made me who I am today. I am thankful to be a part of an organisation that provides young people the opportunity to gain confidence, joy and connection.

Kirsty B

Team Member

Northland Area Programmes Coordinator
Initially from the UK, I moved to Aotearoa in 2017 after 8 years as a singer; touring and releasing music around the world. My accent is somewhat of a mixed-breed sounding creature and I prefer to be called a citizen of the world. My roots are engrossed in music, dance, tradition and adventure, using these tools as a foundation to help others find and use their voice and to feel heard. I’ve been a part of StarJam since 2017, I love that it encompasses everything that I believe in to empower and support others to grow and shine their light.

Catherine Oxley

Team Member

Hawkes Bay Area Programmes Coordinator

Elizabeth Stuart

Team Member

Taranaki Area Programmes Coordinator
I was born in England and moved to NZ when I was nine. The move was as a family when my dad was offered a 3 year contract in the oil business. We never left. I have one brother, Stuart, and am married to Stephen. We have no children and live in the beautiful Taranaki, under the mountain and near the sea. I am a musician at heart and play piano, clarinet, bassoon and bagpipes. My favourite time is being involved in music, especially orchestras or ensembles. Handcrafts are my other love: cross-stitch, hardanger, diamond dotz and mosaics. I particularly like to make them for other people. My time with StarJam has only just started but I feel like I have found my other family.

Jennie Holdsworth

Team Member

Tauranga Area Programmes Coordinator
As a mother to three young children who keep me on my toes, I'm constantly learning new things from them every day. Crafting is a favourite hobby, and I relish spending time outdoors in the beautiful Bay of Plenty with my family. My prior experience as a secondary school art teacher sparked a passion for the transformative power of creative expression. In my role as a Programme Coordinator for StarJam, I am grateful to have the opportunity to forge meaningful connections within my community. I take great pleasure in witnessing the growth of our Jammers as they develop self-confidence and self-esteem through music and performance.

Fiona Paine

Team Member

Dunedin Area Programmes Coordinator

Board Members

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Where young New Zealanders with disabilities unleash their full potential through the magic of music, dance and performance.