WHAIA -SHELLY EMIA
Indigenous Wisdom Keeper - Artist / Musician - Activist - Mother - Ocean Ambassador
BIO -
WHAIA
Sonic Weaver
Aotearoa / NZ
Born of Ngati Kahungunu, Maori descent, WHAIA is a transcendent vocalist, alchemical performer, First Nations multi-instrumentalist, designer, creative cultural producer and visionary facilitator, making this woman one powerhouse mama.
Walking with Taonga Puoro/Traditional First Nations Instruments, and Crystal Singing Bowls WHAIA is a Sonic Weaver. She’s a Whaledreaming woman who sings the ancient song lines of her ancestry. Blending intuitive vocals and melodies made of wood, bone, clay and stone weaving the sounds of mother nature into the hearts of all.
‘Sonic Weaver Sound Sanctuary’ is her open basket, an online teaching platform including in person Whale retreats. As a mother of 3 her sights are on the future change makers and reaching out to everyday people uplifting the human spirit through the inspirational and ordinary.
As an artist, activist and elemental voice for the waters, WHAIA is an ambassador for the ocean and board member of ‘Oceanic Global’, the ‘Kia’i Moana Foundation’ based in Hawaii and member of ‘A Wisdom Keeper Delegation’, walking ancient wisdom into policy within the United Nations spaces.
Her calling is one to inspire, educate and empower those around her, especially through the art of the voice, sound in relationship to the environment.
Activating spaces through her cultural & contemporary practices WHAIA is a seasoned global musician collaborating alongside double orchestras, indigenous elders, and her solo shows. Her depth of expertise and intuition transpires in a way that will no doubt rumble your inner jungle, soothe your bones and awaken your senses.
Riding these waves on her new creation is a 40ft tour bus/travelling production studio on wheels called, The Mana Waka - Connecting Culture & Creation. A family venture sharing educational and artistic projects Australia wide. Carrying a ‘Living Canvas’ mural at 12m long on the outside on the bus offers collaborative projects with artist celebrating our relationships to water.
With a depth of ochre in her skin and mana in her bones, Whaia is a true warrior woman with a soft yet powerful delivery, entwining one’s heart, body and spirit.
