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Eight students from Ōrewa’s Centrestage Youth productions and musical theatre classes are featuring in the Auckland Philharmonia’s Tunes 4 Tamariki children’s concert Hana the Glowworm at the Aotea Centre and Bruce Mason Theatre this month.
Tunes 4 Tamariki: Hana the Glowworm is an interactive live music experience for under 8-year-olds that invites the audience to join Hana, a curious little glowworm, on her adventure to find the Auckland Phil. Performed by a company of 14 young theatre stars and Auckland’s Philharmonia orchestra, the concert features the original Hana the Glowworm songs by Chris Sanders and scored by New Zealand-based arrangers Adrian Hollay, Linda Dallimore, Joshua Clark, Anna Reyes and Camryn Nel. This will be accompanied by children’s singalong favourite ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ and more.
Over the course of the family-friendly 45-minute performance, tamariki will learn about native Aotearoa fauna and the instruments of the orchestra. They can dance and sing along with the music, and join a walk through the orchestra while the musicians are playing to see the instruments up close. Ahead of the concert, free activities include face painting, Aspiring Musician performances and colouring in competition.
The touching tale of Hana the Glowworm follows Hana, a glowworm who is drawn out into the world for the first time by beautiful music. In her search for the music’s source, she makes new friends, including a cave eel, and discovers musical instruments that have been lost by their owners. Hana the Glowworm explores themes of friendship and teamwork, going beyond our comfort zone to find our own light, and introduces children to the different instruments and sections of an orchestra.
Tickets are $15 each, with under 2’s free, or $50 for a family pass (2 adults/2 children or 1 adult/3 children). Tunes 4 Tamariki: Hana the Glowworm. 10am and 11.30am, Saturday April 5, Aotea Centre. 10am and 11.30am, Saturday April 12, Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna. For more information or to book tickets, visit aucklandphil.nz/T4T-Hana
Emerson D’Aguiar-Sanders (Hana)
Now 14, Emerson has been the recording artist for the Hana the Glowworm songs since she was 11. An accomplished actor, she was nominated for a NAPTA Award for her role as Skipper in Madagascar Jr.
Gabriella D’Aguiar-Sanders (Ruru)
Gabriella is already a seasoned performer, dancer, and recording artist at 11 years old. She was nominated as a Junior Theatre Festival NZ All-Star for her lead role as Dory in Finding Nemo Jr. last year.
Boston Davis (Stoat)
Hana the Glowworm is Boston’s ninth musical role. At 12 years old, he loves the fun, friendship, and challenges that musical theatre offers and was nominated for a 2024 NAPTA award for his role in Elf the Musical.
Ethan Heke (Hana’s Dad/Violin/Mal/Stoatette)
Nominated for a NAPTA and a Junior Theatre Festival All-Star for his lead role as Marty in Madagascar Jr in 2023, Ethan is a talented all-round musical theatre performer.
Stephanie Harman (Stoatette, Musician & Cicada)
Stephanie took to the stage at just four years old and hasn’t looked back since! Her passions include dance and musical theatre. Stephanie’s next role is Sebastian in The Little Mermaid Jr.
Katelyn Harman (Stoatette & Puriri Moth)
Ten-year-old Katelyn is a gymnast and dancer. She also has a passion for musical theatre and will soon portray Jetsam in The Little Mermaid Jr.
Jemma Harman (Stoatette & Tui)
Jemma is 12 years old and has trained in ballet and musical theatre. She loves to read and wants to one day work at McDonalds so she can eat all the fries.
Elise Chapman (Musician, Spider and Glowworm)
Elise is a passionate dancer and performer who is a regular in youth shows at CentreStage Theatre. She lights up on the stage and can’t wait to bring Hana the Glowworm to life!
