Nadia Sunde

Nadia Sunde

Nadia Sunde is one of Queensland’s most celebrated and highly acclaimed children’s theatre writers and performers. An internationally and nationally awarded singer/songwriter she is also the author of two published illustrated children's books, an experienced early years music and literacy educator, actress, comedienne and ABC radio presenter. Nadia has written six children's theatre shows for 0 - 10 year olds, is the only endorsed representative for the Harry Potter book series in Australasia and was recently commissioned by the State Library of Queensland and the First 5 Forever program to write five original songs inspired by their book series Stories for Little Queenslanders. Nadia’s song 'A Drop In The Ocean' is the theme song for National Whale Day. 

Nadia uses her skills as a professional performer to engage children in vibrant and interactive workshops full of stories, songs and loads of laughter. She effectively uses drama, comedy and music as tools to activate children's imaginations, creative curiosity and confidence. 

Nadia Sunde is the most intuitive performer / storyteller / singer that I have had the pleasure to meet. The kid’s shrieks of laughter were a delight to me and the teachers, and all done with a sock and a teapot! She bonded with the kids and the staff. Nadia, Houdini like, got a child who does not speak, to become a part of the storytelling. His teacher and I couldn't believe what we were seeing. She's the benchmark that everyone else needs to aspire to. The staff and I want her back.” Andrea Anderson, Teacher Librarian, Seven Hills State School.

Nadia has presented at the Auckland Writers Festival, Sydney Writers Festival, Perth Writers Festival, Melbourne Writers Festival, Brisbane Festival, Woodford Festival, Mary Poppins Festival, Somerset Storyfest, Voices on the Coast and many other wonderful festivals, venues and events across Australia. 

Twinkle and the Moon
My imagination runs wild
Sing me a story

Twinkle and the Moon

Duration: 30 to 40 minutes
Suitable for: PrePrep to year 1

Workshop Overview
Twinkle and the Moon is an interactive, dramatic play-based music and literacy experience. The show was originally commissioned by the First 5 Forever Program and Gold Coast City Libraries in April 2021 to encourage a love of reading and confidence in imaginative play. 

Snuggled into their blanket cubby house, Nadia and Twinkle always share a book together before nap time. Today they’re reading a book about a rocket ship! But...when the book is finished and it’s time for bed…Twinkle wants to play a game instead!

Twinkle is convinced the moon is made of cheese and he wants to take a bite. With a little help from the ’magic nap sack', Twinkle and Nadia (and their new friends) use the power of imagination to blast off on an adventure full of sing-a-long songs, make believe and fantastical storytelling. 

Join Twinkle in one small step for mouse-kind…and one giant leap of the imagination.

Topics covered

  • Literacy and language development 
  • Numeracy
  • The power of imagination and play-based learning
  • Collaborative storytelling
  • Focussed listening
  • Music
  • Dance
  • Movement
  • Nurturing children’s self-identity as an active learner

Curriculum Outcomes

  • EYLF Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity
  • EYLF Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners
  • EYLF Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators
  • Literacy - Listening and speaking interactions 
  • Literature - Experimentation and adaptation
  • The Arts - drama, dance and music. 

My imagination runs wild

Duration: 45 to 60 minutes
Suitable for: Year 1 to Year 6

Workshop Overview
Once upon a time there was a little girl who discovered her colourful imagination…

Join acclaimed writer, performer and comedienne Nadia Sunde as she takes a journey into the world of her wild imagination. Learn how to speak in ’Nadia-nese’, how to recognise when your imagination is playing a trick on you and what to ‘feed’ your imagination to grow it strong. Nadia shares stories from her own childhood as she demonstrates the structure of a good story and engages students in a collaborative storytelling adventure of their own. 

This workshop will involve laughter, a guitar, songwriting, silly voices, storytelling, dramatic play, giggling, puppets and a fluffy teapot. Students are guaranteed to leave the workshop full of creative ideas, bubbling conversation and stories to share. 

Topics covered

  • The power of imagination and play
  • How to be the ‘boss’ of your wild imagination
  • The structure of a good story
  • Connection and collaboration with peers
  • Focussed listening
  • Music
  • Drama
  • Nurturing student’s self-identity as confident, active and involved learners

Curriculum Outcomes

  • Literacy - Listening and speaking interactions
  • Literature - Experimentation and adaptation
  • The Arts - drama, dance and music

Sing me a story

Duration: 60 minutes
Suitable for: Year 3 to Year 6

Workshop Overview
Brainstorms, rhythm, rhyme, mash-ups, character, emotion, action, story! All elements of a great song. A multi-award winning songwriter, Nadia takes students on a songwriting adventure and offers them the lead.

Nadia records herself and the children singing their ‘finished’ masterpiece and emails it straight to their teacher to enjoy and review with their class.

In every workshop with Nadia you can be sure there will be singing, drama, musical instruments, storytelling, movement and lots of laughter! She believes that the best way to nurture a child’s spirit and sense of self is to laugh and engage joyfully with them. This understanding and the unique ability to create comedy and music collaboratively endears her to audiences of all ages.

Topics covered

  • The craft of poetry, lyric and song writing
  • How good songs tell a story
  • Characterisation
  • Failing - flailing - flying! How mistakes and failures are really successes in disguise
  • Connection and collaboration with peers
  • Nurturing student's self-identity as confident, active and involved learners
  • Music - rhythm, rhyme, singing, instrumentation

 
Curriculum Outcomes

  • Literacy - Listening and speaking interactions / comprehension strategies
  • Literature - Experimentation and adaptation / evaluating texts / features of literary texts / language devices in literary texts / creating literary texts
  • The Arts - music, drama.