Staff Profiles

Qualifications:
BAMus Auck. , MAMus Well.

Biography:
Igelese has extensive conducting, composing, and teaching experience and was the New Zealand Choirmaster for Peter Jackson’s acclaimed film The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. He will also be involved in the next installment The Hobbit due to be released in 2012/13. In 2009, Igelese was awarded the prestigious Creative New Zealand ‘Senior Pacific Artist Award’ for his contribution to the promotion and performance of Pacific music in New Zealand and the Pacific.

Igelese was appointed the ‘Creative Fellow of Pacific Music’ at the SCAPA (School of Creative and Performing Arts) and from 2001 to 2004 was also the coordinator of the Bachelor of Pacific Performing Arts Degree at the University of Auckland. In 2005 he was appointed Performance Director of Music at Vision College Christian School of Music in Hamilton, New Zealand and from 2006 to 2008 was a Senior Lecturer at USP. Prior to his position at USP he was the Lecturer and Convener of Pacific Music and Dance at the University of Auckland.

Igelese is in demand as a vocal and choral clinician and composer throughout the world and was invited to present a paper on Pacific Choral Music at the World Choral Symposiums in China, Japan and South Korea. Has been commissioned to compose and arrange musical works for numerous organizations and events around the world, including the International Festival of the Arts, Vodafone, Americas Cup, Christmas In The Park, Saatchi & Saatchi, University of Auckland, Christchurch Arts Festival, Yoido Full Gospel Church Orchestra and Mass Choir in South Korea, and the ‘Tribe’ TV series.

He is married to Jakki and they have a 12 year old daughter ‘Aria’ and 8 year old son ‘Naatapuitea’. Igelese is passionate about Pacific creative and performing arts and its ability to inspire, empower, educate, and uplift.