Ella Polczyk-Przybyla

Hawke’s Bay Regional Centre Manager
Training and Development Coordinator
Registered Music Therapist

Originally from the UK, Ella Polczyk has trained as a musician from a young age focusing on jazz performance and specialising in playing the clarinet and saxophone. Having toured throughout the UK and internationally with jazz bands, she continued to develop her understanding and knowledge of jazz at Bath Spa University partaking in several ensembles, big bands and smaller gypsy jazz bands.

After graduating, Ella worked in California teaching music and horse riding, then returned to study music therapy at the University of the West of England. Whilst studying, Ella continued to fuel her love of performing at festivals across Europe including: Glastonbury; Boomtown; Shambala; the Edinburgh Fringe Festival; and many other exciting venues.

During the course, Ella worked with a variety of clients including children with special educational needs, adults with mental health difficulties and people affected by HIV/AIDS. In Ella's third and final year of university she set up a music therapy programme in Uganda with a fellow colleague at a centre for people affected by HIV/AIDS. This fuelled an interest for working with individuals from different cultures and experiencing music therapy in different settings including working as a music therapist for a charity that supports young people who have experienced trauma as well as at a school for deaf children.

Ella joined the RMTT team in 2021 and has enjoyed supporting people at the centre, in schools and in community centres across Hawke’s Bay and has big plans to continue growing the centre in the Bay. With a passion for horse riding, playing and watching live music and being active, Ella is so excited to continue her journey here in Aotearoa.