Colette has moved around NZ following her passion for music, alongside her past career in radio.

Her musical journey began as a young girl singing with her sisters at events and functions around Nelson. As a teenager, she took singing lessons and was involved in music theatre. Colette moved to Wellington and worked in commercial and non-commercial radio. In 1994, she studied Jazz Vocal performance at the ‘Jazz School’, now Ara Institute of Canterbury, Christchurch. After many more gigs – (including with a vocal trio, acoustic duo, dance and wedding bands, and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra) - and some more years working for Radio New Zealand National and Pacific, she decided to go back to study music therapy at Victoria University Wellington. She graduated in 2020 and then returned to Nelson to set up her business ‘Creative Music Enterprises’.

Colette combines all her musical skills and talents in her business. She offers private therapy sessions for children and adults – think of it as therapy but music is the tool used to bring about change. She works across the lifespan from children with diverse needs or no diagnosis, to aged care and end-of-life. She also has an understanding of addiction and trauma therapy.

Colette works alongside NCMA to bring music therapy services to the people of Nelson. She facilitates the NelSONG Neurological choir which is a social singing group. It is focused towards people who have Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke, brain injury or trauma, early dementia, anxiety, and stress, but anyone is welcome to come along to meet new friends and have a sing. The music is chosen in collaboration with participants. Colette also teaches Beats and Rhythms at NCMA. There are sessions for adults and children.