'Highly individualistic, idiosyncratic creative work, deeply original in intent and realisation, and often powerfully moving in performance… as such, Joshua is a highly sensitive creative, right in the zeitgeist, and definitely, one to watch.'
- Eve de Castro-Robinson (Renowned NZ composer)
Joshua Pearson (He/Him/They) is an Aotearoa (New Zealand) born Sāmoan creative technologist, sonic artist, composer and at his foremost a creative multipotentialite. He currently completed his master's degree in creative technologies at AUT (Auckland University of Technology) under the supervision of Rachel Shearer and Frances Joseph. His master thesis is about creating sci-fictional water worlds and futuristic scenarios in building an immersive multisensory environments using various creative technologies, such as AI and XR platforms.
Joshua was a music composition graduate at the University of Auckland, specialising in vocal and instrumental music and sonic arts/electroacoustic music under renowned composers Eve de Castro-Robinson and Leonie Holmes, and sonic artist John Coulter.
Joshua's recent interest is in AI technologies and digital tools to create an engaging multisensory environments and experiences. He also uses these powerful AI tools to help build and connect indigenous language, especially the Samoan language.
Joshua was awarded Iosefa Enari Memorial Award at the Creative NZ Pasifika Awards 2022 and was also the 2020 composer-in-residence for the NZSO National youth symphony orchestra. They performed his orchestra piece, When a pale blue dot breathes, a crowd of cacophony begins. in December 2020. He won 1st place for the University of Auckland Clarinet Weekend Composition Contest in 2018 for his clarinet piece, Teine Sa. He was been selected as the finalist for the 2017 NZSO Todd Young Composers Awards. Also, he gained the prestigious for both Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and University of Auckland's Blues Cultural and Arts Award for Music Composition in 2017 and 2022.
His creative work has been described as 'highly individualistic, idiosyncratic creative work, deeply original in intent and realisation, and often powerfully moving in performance… as such, he is a highly sensitive creative, right in the zeitgeist, and definitely, one to watch.'
Joshua has worked with international artists including conductor, composer Sir James MacMillan, conductor Benjamin Northey, Marc Taddei, and Hamish McKeich, composer mentors such as Chris Gendall, Jason Long, Simon Eastwood, and performers such as Mark Menzies, Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick, Peter Scholes, and Barbara Paterson. His compositions have been performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the APO Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestra Wellington, and the NYO (National Youth Symphony Orchestra).
[SHORT BIOGRAPHY]
Joshua is an Aotearoa-born Sāmoan creative technologist, sonic artist and composer. Joshua is a music composition graduate at the University of Auckland, specialising in vocal and instrumental music and sonic arts/electroacoustic music under renowned composers Eve de Castro-Robinson, Leonie Holmes and sonic artist John Coulter. Joshua currently completed his master degree in creative technologies at AUT (Auckland University of Technology).
His biggest highlight as a composer and sonic artist was selected as the composer-in-residence for the (NYO) National Youth Symphony Orchestra in 2020. They performed his world premiere orchestra piece, 'When a pale blue dot breathes, a crowd of cacophony begins' in December 2020 at the Michael Fowler Centre. Joshua also won the prestigious Iosefa Enari Memorial Award for Music Composition at the Creative NZ Pasifika Arts Awards 2022 in Wellington.
