Curiously Creative

Sylvia Sykes is a swing dancer, instructor, judge, and choreographer. She is one of the most widely recognized and respected swing dance instructors in the world. A member of the National Swing Dance Hall of Fame, and co-founder of the International Lindy Hop Championships. Sylvia has been dancing since 1966, competing and teaching since the 70’s and has won many awards in that time. Having studied with many of the dance greats like Frankie Manning, Dean Collins and Maxie Dorf. Sylvia’s unparalleled expertise and passion for the dance has made her a celebrated international instructor and the most sought-after head judge for competitions. Amongst many things we chat about failure and the value of making new and improved mistakes, finding joy and fulfilment from the process, dealing with burn out and navigating through competitions in the arts arena.

Welby Ings is first and foremost a Storyteller. He is also an award-winning academic, educator, designer, filmmaker and playwright. He is an elected Fellow of the British Royal Society of Arts and a consultant to many international organizations on issues of creativity and learning.He is a professor in design at the Auckland University of Technology and in 2001 was awarded the Prime Minister's inaugural Supreme Award for Tertiary Teaching Excellence. He is also the author of his latest book, Disobedient Teaching, which talks about the ability to change educational practices that have been shaped by anxiety, ritual and convention. Amongst many things we talk about the value of storytelling,the difference between being creative and being artistic,the unglamorous side of creativity, the importance of questioning to grow creative awareness,good leadership,and the notion of success.

Flox. A.K.A.Hayley King is a multi-disciplined street artist and entrepreneur. From aerosol and stencil art to prints, publications, murals, graphic design, live painting, workshops, collaborations, charity work, solo exhibitions and so much more. Hayley’s vibrant work has made Flox become one of NZ’s most widely recognized, in demand and versatile art brands.Amongst many things we talk about transitioning from being a solo artist to a business and team, giving yourself the permission to re-inspire yourself, maintaining connection and love for your work, and the value of collaborating to expand yourself and achieve collective growth.

Peter Gilderdale is a multidisciplined researcher, senior lecturer at the Auckland University of Technology, a postcard historian and a professional calligrapher. His calligraphic work has been internationally recognized and is one of just six southern hemisphere lettering artists to be listed as one 800 most significant contributors to the last 150 years of world letter arts. Amongst many things we talk about the notion of originality, its link to middle class identity, the value of doing and acknowledging good work, what having a style really means and how to harness curiosity.

Sal Valentine, also known as Ivan Luketina-Johnston, is most famous for being the lead singer, songwriter, composer, manager and musical director of his dynamic rhythm & blues band Sal Valentine and The Babyshakes. A band that is widely regarded as one of the finest acts in the country and have just released their newest single, with their EP 'Church' coming out in June. Amongst many things we talk about his creative process, writing from personal experiences, the creative mindset vs the industrious mindset and how inspiration is a decision.

Afldaniels Mabingo is a traditional performer, dancer, percussionist, writer, choreographer, educator and researcher of artistic practices from East Africa. Mabingo has taught dance and given lectures in communities and academic settings in different countries in Africa, the U.S., Australia, Germany, The Islands of the Bahamas, and New Zealand. And is currently pursuing a PhD in Dance Studies at the University of Auckland. Amongst many things we talk about African ideologies and philosophy on creativity, the power of art,the importance of nurturing experiences, what it means to think vs do and how to foster a reflective learning experience.

Natasya Yusoff's multi-passionate, entrepreneurial and creative spirit has led her to multiple ventures as an accomplished actor, professional children entertainer, dance instructor and owner of a swing dance school. Today she finds home and joy as the motivational yogi through running The Yoga Pantry. Amongst many things we talk about how to find focus and navigate through multiple passions, how we can use comparison to our advantage, the importance of white space for productivity, rest and inspiration.

Ramona is a dancer in every sense of the word.She is a professional dancer from New York who’s teaching experience spans 2 decades alongside legends like Frankie Manning. She is one of the highest profile Lindy Hop and Authentic Jazz dance teachers in the world. Not to mention her additional professional training in Ballet, Contemporary, Tap and West African dance. Including professional studies at the very prestigious Jose Limon Institute in New York. Amongst many things we discuss what it means to have a unique artistic personality, processing fear and failure and what we can learn from Jazz and Lindy Hop developing in an adverse environment.

Sir Ray Avery is a Pharmaceutical scientist, inventor and social entrepreneur. He is famous for designing state of the art intraocular lenses for the Fred Hollows Foundation that collapsed the global price of lenses, making modern cataract surgery accessible to the worlds poorest. Sir Avery continues work on many world-changing projects and has received many prestigious awards over the years. He is founder and CEO of Medicine Mondiale, an organisation that makes quality healthcare and equipment accessible to the poorest developing nations around the world. He is also the author of ‘Rebel with a Cause’, an autobiography that charts his life from childhood in english orphanages and foster homes to knighthood. Amongst many things we discuss his journey from being an orphan to being a knight, the power of knowledge, the freedom of planning, how genius is in everyone and how dreams create magic!

Vasanti Unka is a writer, illustrator and designer. She has worked in the book and magazine industry in New Zealand for many years and has illustrated numerous picture books over that time. More recently, writing and illustrating The Boring Book, which won the New Zealand Post Margaret Mahy Book of the Year award as well as the Best Picture Book Award. Unka’s latest children’s book, Stripes! No, Spots! was also a finalist at the 2016 BK Design Awards. Amongst many things we discuss her creative journey, process, how to navigate creative road blocks and the power of creating from emotion.