My name is Lou’ana Pereira-Dinnan also known as Lou’ana Whitney. I am originally from Auckland
but grew up in Hamilton, I then moved back to Auckland in 2012 to study.
I am currently in my 3rd year of studying towards a bachelor in Jazz Performance at the New Zealand
School of Music in Albany. When I’m not studying or at uni I’m gigging around town with various
bands and projects.
I’m currently singing with an Auckland based funk/groove band, Fibonacci. I’m also apart of the
Voodoo Saturday night set down at Orleans Bar Britomart where I sing blues, funk and soul. You can
see me also filling in now and then for the 70’s inspired Soul Funk band Hipstamatics. When I’m not
funking it up with all there guys you can also find me singing with my two duos or fronting the 22
piece Queen City Big Band. I have also just become apart of an amazing project called ‘Le Va’ which
is about building a platform for our Pacific and Maori artists to share there talents and creating
opportunities for them to do so. It’s a great project and there are amazing and inspiring visionaries
who are leading it so watch this space!
When I am creating anything, be it music or anything artistic, I must be inspired or what I am
creating won’t mean anything. I have found I draw the most inspiration being by myself with an
instrument and in a comfortable quite place for example my own room, I don’t always stay at my
house so I always find it special being in my own space. The beach really inspires me, I have found a
lot of music I have written has words about and or associated with the sea. The little everyday things
are always inspiring me too, which keeps life beautiful.
I really admire our New Zealand Music Scene, it’s always growing and there are always new and
talented musos around every corner. Someone I really take to in the NZ music Industry is LA
Mitchell, so talented and really enjoy her sound and style. She also went to Jazz School and did the
course I’m doing so I find that cool and really inspiring. Internationally, I think most of my
inspirations have died. Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald are a few of many musicians who I
admire and whom I am inspired by.
I was born and raised in a musical family so it was natural for me to become a musician. I was
encouraged and taught by my parents and family to pursue whatever makes me happy, music and
performing make me very happy so I grabbed every opportunity I could to do so. Finally studying
music, I still strive to grab every opportunity but prove to be a little dangerous sometimes as I find I
over work myself physically and mentally. There are definitely times where it all gets hard, I just have
to get away from it all and indulge in some time with a really close friend. I also have an amazing
partner who is my rock and keeps me grounded and reminds me of how far I have come and how
beautiful I am.
My dream is to have a career in music, which will take me to the end of my life. With my music I
want to inspire people and move people whether that be to tears or onto a dance floor. I’m living
part of my dream now and I am 20 years old, it may seem naïve to believe I can make a living off this
for the rest of my life but “where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong” Ella
Fitzgerald
To you young musicians, who have a dream to pursue a musical career, go for it! Be realistic though;
seek guidance/advice or study of some sort. You have got to know for sure this is what you want and
then don’t stop till you get there. Times get tough and it’s that inbred dream that will push you
through. Also, get out there as much as you can. You can study but that will never teach you what
experience can. You can follow my ‘Lou’ana Whitney Music’ Facebook page, that’s where I keep
followers updated on upcoming gigs etc. My FB is the only place I have to know what I’m up to, still
have a lot to set up, baby steps.
Thanks for inviting me to talk about what I’m up to, hope to see you at a gig sometime!