Tānara Stedman

Registered Music Therapist
Auckland Regional Centre

Tānara (the first ‘a’ is longer and emphasised) has an eclectic musical background, covering classical, choral, Latin-American, and Middle Eastern music. He particularly enjoys group music making, both as an ensemble member and as a group leader, and has worked with a range of musical groups in his hometown of Dunedin. Tānara graduated with a Bachelor of Music (BMus) from Otago in 2002 and completed his MA in Music Therapy 20 years later at Anglia Ruskin University (in Cambridge, UK). He plays several different instruments: oboe, clarinet, guitar, accordion, and assorted hand percussion, and particularly enjoys using his voice in music therapy sessions. Tānara has worked with a broad range of clients - some highlights are: speech and mobility conditions, anxiety and mental health, and dementia and palliative music therapy. He is a staunch advocate for the way music can make bonds between people, and using these to help people therapeutically. Outside of music therapy Tānara enjoys partner dancing, tai chi, and exploring Auckland on runs.