Youth Empowerment
In Aotearoa New Zealand, Kaupapa Leads to Connection
Hanna Wiskari, Cofounder and Musical Director, Ethno New Zealand; freelance musician & teacher
I had known about Mixit for quite some time. Their work was not only fascinating from an artistic and pedagogical perspective but inspiring in its longevity; the organization has provided opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds for the past 19 years. Still, I was curious to learn more. As a migrant myself, I had found there to be a lack of projects in Aotearoa New Zealand that use creativity and artmaking in intercultural, collaborative settings—despite the nation’s rich multicultural population.
Mutual Teaching, Mutual Learning at the Queen of Paradise Program
Jesús Briceño, Co-founder and Director, The Queen of Paradise Program, as told to The Ensemble
The Queen of Paradise program was originally the brainchild of Father Miguel de la Calle, a priest at the IVE (Instituto del Verbo Encarnado) mission in Papua New Guinea. Father Miguel, says Maestro Briceño, “had full confidence, from day one, in the power of music to positively change lives.”
