OUR TEAM
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GRACE CHUN
Community Musician
Grace completed her Bachelor of Music, majoring in piano performance in 2023. As a part of her degree she was placed at Southern Music Therapy for an internship where she was able to create resources and observe what it means to be a music therapist. Through this, she has been given the opportunity to join the team as a community musician. Grace has a firm belief that a shared musical experience can bring fulfilment, joy and a sense of community to those who participate. This has become the base for all her musical outlets; playing, listening and creating and she values every opportunity to express that. Grace has been participating in music through various means her whole life, participating in competitions, exams, concerts, collaborative musicking, learning and teaching. Each of these has brought its own dynamic to developing the musician that she is today and she is excited to be a part of the SMT team.​​
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Grace is currently on maternity leave & will be back with the SMT team once she has settled into her new family life.
MEKAELA FLEENER
Registered Music Therapist/Contractor
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BMus, CertArts
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​Mekaela Fleener is a dedicated and capable young music therapist. She completed her Masters of Music Therapy in 2026 and completed a Bachelor of Music in performance violin in 2022. From a young age, Mekaela has had a committed desire to serve others through music. She has a warm therapeutic approach to working with a variety of client populations and eagerly applies her extensive musical knowledge to her music therapy practice. She is committed to constantly growing so she can provide effective and supportive musical and therapeutic experiences to her clients. Mekaela is delighted to be part of the Southern Music Therapy team and their mission of making meaningful connections through music.
TING-WEI LIN
Registered Music Therapist
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Ting-Wei completed her Bachelor of Music in Taiwan and has joined the team after completing her placement with Southern Music Therapy. She has experience working with children and adolescents in pediatric wards and educational settings, as well as with adults with intellectual disabilities and neurological conditions.
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Ting-Wei’s primary instrument is percussion, and she also plays piano and guitar. She strongly believes that music is a powerful medium that can support people’s wellbeing and enjoys building connections with others through music. Gentle, patient, and friendly, Ting-Wei values accompanying people on their journeys and witnessing their growth. She is originally from Taiwan and has been living in New Zealand since 2024.
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In her free time, Ting-Wei enjoys walking in nature, visiting cafés, practising latte art, spending time with family and friends, and has a love for both dogs and cats.
KATE ANASTASIOU
Registered Music Therapist/Contractor
Kate Anastasiou is in her second year of her two-year master of music therapy training, and will be doing placement with SMT in a variety of settings. Kate has a strong interest in musical connection, communication and expression across the lifespan, and is fascinated with music therapy methods that facilitate this. Kate also has a keen interest in community music from her background in arts recovery in post-earthquake Christchurch.
Kate is a singer songwriter and recording artist, playing guitar and writing songs from a young age, and enjoys sharing the therapeutic benefits of songwriting with people of all musical capabilities.
In her free time Kate likes writing music, playing with recording equipment, going to gigs, walking in nature and watching rugby.
RAELINE
Musical Volunteer
Raeline is a trained music therapist that will be returning to Southern Music Therapy as one of our musical volunteers. As a registered music therapist, Raeline worked in a variety of settings in both Wellington & Christchurch. Whilst studying her masters degree part-time from 2004-2007, Raeline continued to work full time for the Salvation Army.
Raeline has been a huge advocate for music therapy, she was the music therapy students’ representative at university, a member of the MThNZ ETPP Forum, she supervised music therapy students during their hospice placements and advocated for music therapy through presentations for professional conferences. Raeline has worked in a variety of settings, including setting up positions in Hospice work in Wellington, and at the Bridge Drug & Alcohol services in Canterbury.
Raeline is now retired and is an active volunteer with the Cantabrainers Therapeutic Choir in Christchurch. She continues to be a strong advocate for music therapy in Christchurch and New Zealand.