Our People
We work alongside some of the best in their fields.
Our Tutors
Phebe Mander
Tutor: Performing Arts Movement
Phebe is a trained professional dancer, choreographer and tutor who joined Arts Integrated after completing her Bachelor of Performing and Arts (Contemporary Dance) at Unitec in 2019.
With over a decade of experience, including extensive work with Jolt Dance Company, Phebe is passionate about delivering creatively challenging inclusive dance classes that surpass traditional expectations around disability and movement practice.
Her recent performance and choreographic works include Pulse (2024), Green Silence (2023), Dancing Like the Stars (2023 & 2024), Cadence (2023), The Leap Project (2022), Prelude (2022) and The Seasons (2022).
Calvin Preston
Circus Arts Instructor
Calvin has devoted over a decade to the circus arts, developing particular expertise in juggling and rola-bola.
His engaging teaching style and unique approach have inspired students across multiple organisations, including The Christchurch Circus Trust, Circability, and Cirotica Circus School.
Calvin’s passion for circus shines through in his ability to challenge and encourage students to push their boundaries while maintaining a supportive learning environment.
His extensive experience in making circus accessible to all abilities adds depth to our programme offerings.
Muika Dodd
Circus Arts Instructor
Muika brings her extensive circus arts experience to Arts Integrated, having trained in the field since 2012.
As a certified aerial arts instructor through Paper Doll Militia, she specialises in making aerial disciplines accessible to students of all abilities. Since 2018, she has dedicated herself to teaching inclusive circus classes, sharing her passion and expertise through her work at both the Christchurch Circus Trust and Silhouette Studios.
Her commitment to accessible circus arts makes her a valuable member of our teaching team.
Sam Corry
Tutor: Music, Performing Arts
Support Person: Creative Club
Sam, originally from Scotland, was the main singer/songwriter for the rock band The River Detectives, which recorded three albums under Warner Bros.
After the band’s farewell shows in 2008, he moved to New Zealand in 2009.
He graduated from the University of Canterbury in 2017 with a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning, and from Unitec in 2018 with a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Practice.
Sam joined Arts Integrated in February 2018 as an assistant tutor for the Performing Arts course and now also tutors the AIM: Arts Integrated Music course.
Michael Kramer
Lead: Creative Club
Support Tutor: Performing Arts
Michael has been with Arts Integrated since 2014, teaching a variety of activities and encouraging students to do their best.
He is also a member of Jolt Dance Company, where he leads a Bump class on Monday nights and participates in the Move Tutor Training Scheme, teaching in primary schools on Tuesdays.
Michael has co-presented numerous workshops on emergency preparedness and has spoken at conferences on this topic.
Currently, he assists in ‘Wellbeing Workshops,’ supporting people to feel healthy and active.
Samuel Major-Johnson
Support Tutor: Performing Arts Thursday
Samuel Major-Johnston, a former student at Arts Integrated, will continue his involvement in 2022 as a support tutor.
Born in Christchurch, Sam has been passionate about music and dance from a young age, performing routines including Michael Jackson hits.
He received the Dux award from Ferndale School in 2018 and graduated from Ara Institute of Canterbury in 2020.
Sam taught dance and movement techniques to adults at Hohepa, becoming a popular team member.
He is excited to join the Arts Integrated family and looks forward to his new role.
Chris Carrow
Tutor: Circus at New Brighton
Chris has been the Director and performing artist for Illicon Planet Theatre Company since 1988, entertaining audiences both nationally and internationally.
From 1994 to 2011, he was instrumental in developing the curriculum at CircoArts Circus School, New Zealand’s first tertiary circus school, where he taught performance classes and managed the course.
Since 1998, Chris has been involved with the Christchurch Circus Trust, serving as Trustee officer, Treasurer, and CEO, while also teaching circus classes and directing productions.
His work in the disability sector includes teaching and performing for organizations such as Parafed, Hohepa, and the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association.
Lisa Wingfield
Tutor: Circus at New Brighton
Lisa has over 30 years of experience in physical theatre and circus, specializing in performing, teaching, and directing. Since 1988, she has operated ‘Sillicon Planet Theatre Company’ with Christopher Carrow, performing at numerous events including international conferences, festivals, community shows, company functions, universities, schools and hospitals.
Since 2000, Lisa has served on the board of the Christchurch Circus Trust and has been its Artistic Director, Administrator, and CEO since 2015. The Trust aims to develop people and foster community well-being through social circus.
Lisa has worked with organizations such as Parafed, Hohepa, and the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association, teaching workshops and directing performances that include people with different abilities.
Governance
Adam Hayward
General Manager
As well as being our General Manager, Adam is programme development for Move General Manager. He led The Body Festival from its inception in 2002 until 2015, and has directed Dancing Like the Stars, a partner dance program for low-decile primary schools, since 2007.
Sally Thomas
Founding Trustee
Sally’s dedication to the disability sector spans over 25 years, inspired by her lived experience as a parent of a disabled adult son.
Her career has encompassed early intervention work with babies and pre-schoolers through to supporting young adults in their transition to adulthood.
As former National Coordinator with the NZ Foundation for Conductive Education, Sally brings valuable expertise to Arts Integrated.
She serves on the National Board of CCS Disability Action and holds several governance roles in Conductive Education organisations.
Trisha Ventom
Founding Trustee
Trisha’s passion for disability recreation and advocacy began at Templeton Centre, leading to an impressive career championing inclusive recreation.
As former KiwiAble Coordinator and Metropolitan Programmes Leader at Christchurch City Council, she played a key role in developing the Multi-Sensory Facility and improving recreational services in the disability sector.
Her dedication earned her the 2011 NZRA Individual Recreation Award. A Special Olympics coach who has represented NZ at three World Games, Trisha continues to contribute to the disability sector through her role as Community Recreation Advisor and as a founder of Arts Integrated.
Kathryn Jones
Trustee
Kathryn brings valuable strategic leadership experience to Arts Integrated from her extensive work in New Zealand’s health and disability sector.
Her career spans general management and national business development roles, with expertise in community care services both in NZ and the UK.
Kathryn has served on numerous national committees, including the Executive Committee of the NZ Home Health Association and as Chair of the Ministry of Health NGO Health and Disability Council.
She continues to contribute her expertise through various governance roles in the sector.
Victoria Ross
Trustee
Victoria manages SkillWise, an organisation supporting adults with learning disabilities to become fully participating citizens through recreation, training, and employment opportunities.
With a Masters in Community Recreation focused on people with disabilities from Lincoln University, she has dedicated 15 years to the NGO sector.
Victoria also serves on the Board of Birth Trauma Aotearoa and balances her passionate commitment to the disability sector with family life in Christchurch, where she lives with her husband Stu and twin sons.