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Children and whānau are invited to a lively morning of music when Motueka performer Shanti brings her album and book The Sunshine Inside of You to Te Noninga Kumu-Motueka District Library on Saturday, 14 February, from 11am to 12pm.
Originally from the United States, Shanti now lives in Motueka with her husband Eric. A lifelong educator and retired music teacher, she says the project weaves together her backgrounds in teaching, counselling and motherhood. The book features 13 original songs, complete with lyrics, chords and activities.
She will be joined by friend and fellow musician Brit Rollo, who recently moved to Motueka. The pair met at a Motueka Arts Council songwriting workshop earlier this winter and have performed together since.
Brit has worked as a ukulele tutor with playgroups in the Far North, supporting parents and tamariki to learn waiata and action songs, and has focused much of her teaching around environmental education and seasonal celebrations.
Songs from The Sunshine Inside of You explore themes including the environment, literacy, self-esteem, making mistakes and celebrating life.
“I wrote the music for my children when they were little, through experiences they were having while growing up,” she explains. “So it ended up being a collection of wonderful songs that I call Music with Meaning.”
Shanti says the concert is designed to be interactive, with plenty of opportunities to sing along.
