Ishbel Eade | Music / Performing Arts

I have managed to pack a fair bit into my past 18 years on this planet. I was born in the Highlands of Scotland to kiwi parents in Inverness. From there we moved back to New Zealand where the rest of my family is where I then completed my schooling around the Waikato. Beginning in a little country school in Morrinsville (St Joesphs) before moving to Hamilton where I attended Hukanui and then Southwell to complete my primary years. I have been at Waikato Diocesan School For Girls for the past 5 years and currently live on the outskirts of Hamilton with my 2 parents and younger brother.

I have many hobbies and interests, some may argue that I have too many to keep up with! But I enjoy them all as they teach me different things. Through school, I have been heavily involved in the arts such as choirs, orchestra, jazz band and rock band. I also loved doing the yearly musicals and productions. On another note, I also love playing football and played in my school’s First XI team. Outside of school, I participate heavily in Pipe bands. I am a drummer for 3 different bands, these being the ‘Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band’, the ‘Lewis Turrell Juvenile Pipe Band’ and ‘The New Zealand Youth Pipe Band’. Ever since I was 4 I also competed and loved Highland Dancing. Away from all the Scottish stuff, I am a percussionist for the ‘Waikato Youth Orchestra’.

One of my favourite things to do is just play music and perform. I started teaching music and Highland Dancing to young children in 2019 and it is very rewarding to see them grow, not only as musicians but also as people. I have also been teaching adults and older kids in the pipe bands scene which is equally as exciting and rewarding.

I am known to be pretty out-there and social when it comes to interacting with people. Always having a positive attitude is a priority for me in life and helping others and making them feel good too is super important. Recently I have had more opportunities to interact, help and lead others whether it be leading tenor drummer in the New Zealand Youth Pipe Band or as 2021 House leader and it has been amazing to see the people around me grow and gain confidence when acknowledged or helped in any way. I also consider myself that of a global citizen as in 2018 my family and I travelled the world for 6 months where I gained so much life experience and a new appreciation for the world around me. After doing some volunteer work in Tanzania, Africa at a childcare centre it made my love for people even greater and I hope to go back there one day.