Trustees
This is your Team page. It's a great space to introduce your team and talk about what makes it special, such as your culture and work philosophy. Don't be afraid to illustrate personality and character to help users connect with your team.
I grew up in the north of England in a family of professional classical musicians; hanging out in rehearsal halls, promoting my parents’ concerts, and chatting in the kitchen with families of kids who were having Saturday morning music lessons. During my professional life as a lawyer and business owner, I have been drawn to the important work of creating opportunities for people to engage with music. I have extensive governance experience in the arts: as Chair of the Christchurch Arts Festival and as a Board Member of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for many years.
I have always been a strong advocate for music in the community. In recent years, the opportunity to explore the power of music even further through music therapy, as a research-based clinical use of music, has led to a new appreciation for the healing powers of music.
So, when asked to setconsider setting up the Trust from scratch as founding chair, it was a great fit. As founding chair, I had the skills and the motivation for this kaupapa as an experienced executive leader both in the arts and business, and we have not looked back.
The joy that the choir brings to our members and their families is infectious. The transformational experiences that our members often express motivate me to want to ensure that the choir continues to go from strength to strength. Together with our new General Manager, MB, the therapists Kim and Angela, choir reps Lois, and Jo, and my co-trustees Naomi and Gerald, I continue to relish the challenge of bringing the combined benefits of music therapy and speech language therapy in a choir setting to improving the lives of even more people who live with neurological conditions.
I grew up in the north of England in a family of professional classical musicians; hanging out in rehearsal halls, promoting my parents’ concerts, and chatting in the kitchen with families of kids who were having Saturday morning music lessons. During my professional life as a lawyer and business owner, I have been drawn to the important work of creating opportunities for people to engage with music. I have extensive governance experience in the arts: as Chair of the Christchurch Arts Festival and as a Board Member of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for many years.
I have always been a strong advocate for music in the community. In recent years, the opportunity to explore the power of music even further through music therapy, as a research-based clinical use of music, has led to a new appreciation for the healing powers of music.
So, when asked to setconsider setting up the Trust from scratch as founding chair, it was a great fit. As founding chair, I had the skills and the motivation for this kaupapa as an experienced executive leader both in the arts and business, and we have not looked back.
The joy that the choir brings to our members and their families is infectious. The transformational experiences that our members often express motivate me to want to ensure that the choir continues to go from strength to strength. Together with our new General Manager, MB, the therapists Kim and Angela, choir reps Lois, and Jo, and my co-trustees Naomi and Gerald, I continue to relish the challenge of bringing the combined benefits of music therapy and speech language therapy in a choir setting to improving the lives of even more people who live with neurological conditions.
I was invited to join the Cantabrainers Board of Trustees at the time the Choir was transitioning from a privately sponsored model to that of a charitable trust. I offered a specialist medical background relevant to the role as well as experience in arts governance, fundraising, and a particular interest and skill set in charitable trust board process. I am also personally involved in the performing arts and acutely aware of the potentially transformative power of music.
I was aware that this vital work was going to be no mean feat but I was inspired by the enthusiasm and commitment of all the others involved, and in particular the unique model with which the choir operated. This was of great benefit not only to the choir members but also to their carers and whānau, and indeed the wider community. The results have been outstanding at every level and the whole experience has been hugely rewarding. I am humbled that I have been fortunate enough to have contributed to the success achieved by the choir, the professionals that run it and share their musical and therapeutic talents with the choir, as well as my fellow Trustees.
My name is Trent Hamilton, and I bring with me experience in the technology space, and with an extensive history as a service provider in the telecommunications sector, I have a passion for good process and customer experience.
I currently study management, and when I saw the opportunity to join the Canterbrainers team I jumped at the chance to support an organisation for people with brain conditions, this general cause is something very close to my heart as my daughter has cerebral palsy as a result of her prematurity.
Outside of the business world, I perform as a member of my local brass band, have a small online presence where I share my passion for music, and in what little spare time remains, work towards rebuilding a 1930’s era pipe organ.