New Velvet Vocals Workshop 

 StarJam family keeps on growing

 
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

StarJam Family Keeps on Growing

 It’s amazing to see the joy on the faces when new Jammers discover their own stardom.    A big warm welcome to all the new Jammers who have got into the CoolJam workshops this term.    We are delighted to introduce one of them, Shanna Kishore

Shanna is a natural on stage; one of her biggest fans is her mum, Lara.

Lara says, “Shanna loves StarJam  - everyone she knows has been told and performed to with much enthusiasm.  There is no hiding how much she enjoys her workshops and her tutor.

She also really looks forward to the monthly get togethers and even plans for them.   She really is appreciating having the chance to perform.   She is greatly encouraged by her peers.

Shanna looks forward to meeting familiar friends at StarJam and is always keen to make more.  Jam on Jammers.”

StarJam’s volunteers

We are immensely grateful to all the volunteers who generously give their time to assist in so many ways.   Each CoolJam workshop is managed by a volunteer, who provides support for the tutor and the Jammers. 

Please meet   …….. 

Stephanie Frost

 “I joined StarJam as a volunteer because I'd often thought about doing something to help but never got round to it.  I liked the thought of bringing acceptance into the lives of people who are sometimes treated as different.  My first night at StarJam just blew me away. I had a grin on my face from the moment I got there to the moment I left, and on the drive home!  I enjoyed so many aspects; a group of really enthusiastic young people who are keen to learn and develop budding talent is a big part of it but also talking to the parents who are so happy seeing their kids happy.

I work 9-5 as an Administrator for the NGO Amnesty International, it is a great place to work, full of people who want to help make the world a better place which is a good reason to get up in the morning.  I am originally from the UK so love being in Auckland and enjoy the beaches, all the beautiful outdoors.”

And…….
 

Martha Holden

“I am from Ireland and I have lived in New Zealand for nearly 7 years. I wanted to volunteer with StarJam to do something to give back to the country that has welcomed me. My eldest sister, who lives in Sydney, has a four year old boy called Liam who has special needs. My sister has met so many wonderful people who help her with Liam I wanted to do the same for someone here. I volunteer in West Auckland and thoroughly enjoy our 'family gathering' every Monday evening and I have learned so much its incredible (I still can't dance very well mind you!!)  The Jammers are so open and kind and enthusiastic, it’s therapy for everyone present and laughter and joy abound every week without fail.  StarJam is a community and a warm fun open and inviting one - I couldn't have wished for better!

Martha Holden

I am from a family of eight children so I've grown up with lots of noise and dancing, singing and laughter so StarJam suits me no end!  I live in Waitakere with my New Zealand partner Gavin and cat called Stretch!  I'm an Office Manager by trade and am one of the few Aucklanders that don't spend hours in traffic everyday as I work out West too.  I love living in Waitakere.  It has a strong community atmosphere and has lots of green space and beaches within a short drive. It reminds me of Ireland a lot too so I've gladly made it my second home.

Thanks to all for your assistance and encouragement.

StarJam Team

StarJam is honoured to be one of the charities involved with Shares for Good. An organisation set up to support non-profit organisations by people donating uneconomical share parcels which are then sold and the funds donated to organisations like StarJam.

As it is coming up the end of the financial year we would greatly appreciate anyone who has spare or uneconomical share parcels to donate them at Shares for Good, just follow the instructions.

Flying high thanks to Air New Zealand

StarJam Jambassador Ray Woolf receives honour

Meet two new Jammers

The year has certainly started on a high note with the presentation of the ginormous plane-shaped $135,000 cheque from Air New Zealand.   StarJam, along with Starship Foundation and Make A Wish Foundation was a very happy beneficiary of Air New Zealand’s “Kids at Christmas” online charity auction.   The cheque presentation took place on Monday 4^th February at Air New Zealand’s downtown Auckland offices.

This magnificent donation will help us to provide a greater number of opportunities for young people with disabilities to join our Talent Expansion Programme, get on stage and get jamming. We are enormously grateful to Air New Zealand for the support they provide StarJam and all the Jammers.

We were delighted to learn that one of our Jambassdaors, Ray Woolf, was named as a recipient of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to entertainment in this year’s New Year Honours list.  We send hearty congratulations to Ray for receiving this prestigious and much-deserved award.  We are enormously proud of Ray and the great honour he has brought to StarJam by being our Jambassador. 

Ray has performed in six of StarJam's major productions including the first-ever show in November 2002. In the StarJam Stage Show in 2005, he played the role of "The King". Together with his jester, played by Michael Barrymore, he helped the Jammers on their journey to the land of StarJam.

Michael Barrymore, Ray Woolf with Jammers Red Nicholson, Anthony Jellyman and Olivia Shivas. Photo by Patrick Bellett.

StarJam has five Jambassadors, Daniel Gourlay, John Hawkesby, Jono Heaps, DJ (Dean) Morath and Ray Woolf.

Sisters Amy, 10 and Jessica, 12, Wootton have recently discovered StarJam.  Both love singing and acting and would like to carve out careers in these fields.  Amy also loves gymnastics and Jessica is keen on the internet.  Both girls attend Whenuapai School and will be singing their hearts out in a CoolJam singing workshop starting this week.

CoolJam Workshops

This week, around 100 Jammers are starting in on a new series of CoolJam workshops.   We have some very excited young people chomping at the bit to get jamming.  Some are already asking about performing in the end of year show!!   Watch out for news of great jamming achievements and of course the show.  

Thank you for all your support.