CRESCENDO TEAM
The Crescendo team are highly skilled industry professionals from music to social enterprise that are united behind our mission to help the rangatahi of New Zealand to achieve brighter futures.
Youth Programmes
Calla Knudson
Programmes and Pathways Manager
Kia ora! I love the kaupapa of facilitating healing and connection through music. Music is at the core of my being and I am so excited to help facilitate that in others through working at this amazing organisation.
I have a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) in Performance Voice & Music Production as well as a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Sociology and Women & Gender Studies.
I am a professional musician working in the classical and contemporary music spheres as a producer, recording artist, and performer. I have extensive experience working with youth as a facilitator, music teacher, coach, and choir director, as well as experience working within NGO’s doing events management, funding, and volunteer coordination among other things!
David Atai
Youth Production Mentor
Growing up, I wanted to become a race car driver, or drive big trucks. So far, I’ve been a guitarist, music producer, songwriter, audio engineer, performing artist, in events management, sound design, performed all over the world with my mates (and got paid for it), worked with and learnt from some of the greatest musicians and engineers in the world, won so many awards for my music that I’ve forgotten most of them, and so on and so on…
I didn’t really know, until I actually started doing something. But I didn’t just do that one thing. I tried everything to do with that thing, and it led me down multiple pathways throughout my life, allowing me to make a living off something I was passionate about and actually loved doing.
Jasmine Pene (Jaso)
Youth Mentor
Kia Ora. Ko Jasmine toku ingoa
Ko Ngati Whatua, Ngati Maniapoto, Te Arawa me Ngati Porou ngā iwi.
A proud Wahine Maori, born and raised out South Auckland in Mangere and Papatoetoe.
My passions stem through music production, beat making, singer, songwriter, live performances and organizing Hiphop and R&B music events.
I would love to be able to share these experiences and skills with our rangatahi to enhance and nurture their journey with the beauty and healing of music. To offer guidance and navigate them safely through their musical pathway.
Paki Dunn
Youth Mentor
While doing Social Media work for Crescendo, I found myself offering help to the mentors with anything music/hip hop/rap related as I am a hip hop artist with just over 20 years of experience. As they gave me more time in a mentorship space I grew to love working with our rangatahi. I was finally able to share all of the knowledge I have acquired over my 20 years as an artist.
I have released numerous solo projects, collaborated with producers and artists internationally and locally plus have performed all over the country so my experience is vast in my field.
I am a proud Maori man and a pillar in our local scene, that is honoured to be giving back to his community and our rangatahi by sharing my experiences and passion for hip hop, music, songwriting and artistic creation as a whole.
Ciara Bernstein
Youth Mentor
I started my musical journey playing in bands as a drummer and guitarist in bands, I quickly realised my interest in audio and started teaching myself the basics. Eventually I enrolled at SAE and got a Bachelor of Audio Engineering.
I have a passion for community building and in 2018 I opened a DIY all ages venue / recording studio / practice space, The Vault. The Vault ran for 6 years before the building was demolished.
I am consistently in at least three bands at any given time, and I record bands out of my studio at Creative House
I’m really excited to join an initiative with such a strong emphasis on community and community building.
Louise Sang Cheung Burling
Youth Mentor
I am a classically trained concert pianist, turned self-taught producer and audio engineer.
I believe making my life art is my greatest achievement, which is a continuous
journey, tied up in self growth, self love, hard work, and dedication to my craft.
I’m thrilled to be a mentor with Crescendo, to be able to continue supporting
Rangatahi with their musical ambitions and furthermore, help them see their
value as artists in society.
Recording Studio
Reece Muir
Studio Production Manager
I sing, play guitar and bass and love sample based production. I love passing on my experience to clients to have them grow as artists as well as coaching and working creatively to make great audio products. I’m a big reader and got lucky with finding Audiobook recording and production as it is a cross between two things I love.
I have a Bachelor of Music production (SAE). Completing that is my greatest achievement. When I’m not in the Avondale studio or at a gig I’m chilling to ‘my beautiful dark twisted fantasy’ by Kanye West. My go to self-care practices are reading, walking everyday, going to the gym, staying fit so I can enjoy surfing, and finding a nice sauna. I’m also working on including meditation – wish I could say everyday but that’s the goal.
Finn Hopley
Audio Engineer / Producer
Hi I’m Finn Hopley, As an Audio Engineer at Crescendo, I’m excited about the opportunity to be around amazing creatives, both Kaiako and Tauira.
My experience and a diploma from the School of Audio Engineering (SAE) have shaped my career in music production and audio-visual engineering (A/V). Entering the world of podcasting is a natural progression.
Career-wise, I believe my greatest achievements are yet to come, but personally, one of my greatest achievements is being a father.
In my spare time, you can find me enjoying my favourite album, IGOR (by Tyler, The Creator). When it comes to self-care, I prioritise my well-being through regular exercise and breath work.
Ryan Fairweather
Audio Engineer / Producer
Hi I’m Finn Hopley, As an Audio Engineer at Crescendo, I’m excited about the opportunity to be around amazing creatives, both Kaiako and Tauira.
My experience and a diploma from the School of Audio Engineering (SAE) have shaped my career in music production and audio-visual engineering (A/V). Entering the world of podcasting is a natural progression.
Career-wise, I believe my greatest achievements are yet to come, but personally, one of my greatest achievements is being a father.
In my spare time, you can find me enjoying my favourite album, IGOR (by Tyler, The Creator). When it comes to self-care, I prioritise my well-being through regular exercise and breath work.
Leadership and Operations Team
Catherine Percy
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Catherine (Cat) is the CEO of Crescendo. She joined the Crescendo whanau in 2017 bringing a background of small business development and social enterprise growth.
Cat had a career in the for-profit space in Sydney in property acquisition and development, project and property management. In 2015, having built up substantial experience, she was now ready to follow her heart into the not-for-profit space. She joined a growing social enterprise in Sydney which focused on empowering young adults with a disability.
When she moved to New Zealand in 2017, she was attracted to the work Crescendo was doing as she believes strongly in empowering people by helping them realise their own potential.
Cat works with the Crew to ensure Crescendo has a sustainable impact with our rangatahi, community and within the Crew itself.
Lisa Carrington
Head of Fundraising and Marketing
As Crescendo’s Marketing & Funding Manager, I’m responsible for driving sustainable growth, diversifying income streams and raising awareness of the Crescendo brand.
With a Fundraising Management Diploma and over 10 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector, I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of NFPs, from small start-ups to large international organisations.
I’m passionate about Crescendo’s kaupapa and social enterprise model - and our creative whānau is pretty special too! Originally hailing from the UK, I spent a number of years working in the music industry at major record labels in London, so joining Crescendo brings my work experience full circle which is very rewarding.
Joanne Luxton
Studio Manager
My role as studio manager is to help Crescendo grow sustainably and to help launch and measure new initiatives and campaigns.
My education includes advertising, direct / digital marketing and business administration, and I bring to the team a wealth of experience in marketing, fundraising, partnerships and business growth.
I love not just the numbers side of the role, but more meeting people in the youth development and music sectors and working on collaborations.
I love working in the studio and seeing the growth and development of the young people that work with our talented team and following their journeys as they start out their careers in audio and music.
Zoe Erickson
Funding
Crescendo is an organisation always on the precipice. I enjoy being involved in new and innovative projects, and also young people need a hand up, I’ve been there and I really feel for young people trying to find their place in the world these days.
After graduating I spent a few years working with Corban Estate Arts Centre, and remained connected to the estate through other roles with Atamira Dance Company and Mind Over Manner.
I was initially inspired by Marketing professional Arts to the mainstream and enjoyed travelling and promoting the avant-garde work of Atamira to wider audiences, both locally and internationally.
Since 2020 I have shared my time between gardening/landscaping work, and contract funding roles, working remotely from my home near Mangawhai and in beautiful rural gardens throughout the Kaipara.
