Southland musician and Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) research manager Sally Bodkin-Allen has been selected as a Woman of Influence Awards finalist in New Zealand’s Women of Influence Awards 2020, in the arts and culture division.

Dr Bodkin- Allen is one of eight finalists in the arts and culture category, which also includes Parris Goebel, Beth Hill, Emma Espiner, Jacqui Moyes, Julie Nolan, Kiri Nathan, Libby Hakaraia, and Sara-Jane Elika.

The winners will be announced in Auckland on November 17 by a panel of judges that includes Dame Sylvia Cartwright and Sir John Kirwan. 

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“Dame Sylvia Cartwright is a bit of a hero of mine, so it is quite amazing to think that she has read about my work and knows a little about me,” Dr Bodkin-Allen said.

Seeing her name next to fellow finalist, Parris Goebel, was a bit of a thrill for her children too, she said.

Dr Bodkin-Allen has engaged with the community in a wide variety of musical endeavours, including research, singing outreach, composing and arranging, writing, publishing and performance.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be a finalist. It is lovely to have the work that I do in the community with outreach singing, the book I published earlier this year which showcases music making in Southland, the impact of the SIT Kids Concerts, and all the arranging and composing that I do for local groups, recognised,” she said.

Dr Bodkin-Allen was nominated by Associate Professor Susan West, an Australian-based academic and a research collaborator. 

A requirement of the nomination was to write three pieces about herself and her work: a description of the journey to becoming a Woman of Influence, an example of how she has faced and overcome adversity, and providing a personal bio.

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Dr Bodkin-Allen says her journey to becoming a Woman of Influence began with her PhD research.

Over a period of six years she juggled motherhood (she has five children) and fieldwork, with her studies centred on early childhood music in Aotearoa.

She discovered many early childhood teachers, mainly women, were terrified of singing. This led to further investigation into the issues people have around singing, and how prevalent it is. 

She said it fuelled a desire in her to help those individuals to develop more confidence when singing around others, and see them progress beyond mouthing the words to songs.

During the process, Dr Bodkin-Allen said she had to confront her own insecurities and feelings about singing. Addressing her own experiences and anxiety around singing has helped her to recognise the same kind of damage in others.

“Overcoming my own challenges with music has given me the understanding and awareness to help and empower others through music.”

Dr Bodkin-Allen inhabits a variety of roles with her passion for music and engaging community. She is the instigator of SIT’s Kids Concerts, which are in their 18th year and have become a keenly anticipated event in Invercargill schools and preschools.

She said she wanted to create a win-win situation by providing performance opportunities for first year Bachelor of Contemporary Music students, as well as giving local children the chance to come and enjoy the atmosphere of a live show and see live performances by the students. 

Dr Bodkin-Allen said she was most proud of her involvement with the Volunteer Outreach group at Southland Girls’ High School, which involves a group of young women who spend Tuesday lunchtimes singing and chatting with rest home residents.

"Seeing this group in action illustrates just what singing can do, for wellbeing, self-confidence, and kindness”.

“I think the best thing is having music education and its importance recognised. The arts are so important to our wellbeing, and singing is a very important part of who we are as human beings,” she said.