TST stands for The Spreading Tree, a place where creative knowledge and passion are cultivated, shared and passed on to those who come through our doors. TST originally started as a space for budding writers, composers and performers to collaborate and rehearse original material. Over time, a small dance community started calling it their home. This is how TST Studio was born. The space itself is primarily used as a dance studio, but still hosts all kinds of creative activities.
Marianne Leigh celebrates the growing pains of teenage-hood through her haunting lyrics and catchy indie-pop tunes. Writing since age 10, Leigh has released two EPs available on all streaming platforms and toured New Zealand, two of her tour stops selling out. The young artist took her music international, featuring in several UK magazines and ranking in the Top 50 tracks on Australian radio. The 19-year-old has brought her music to the Big Gay Out, Earth Beat Festival, and now Sanctuary Sounds. Joined by her band on the Sanctuary Sounds stage, enjoy a show of story-telling through hook-laden songs.
Maral is an audiologist, food blogger, and songwriter who credits growing up on Tedx Talks as her reason for pursuing multiple passions and dreaming big. As well as MCing at talent shows and events run by the University, Maral regularly speaks at events set to inspire the next generation of health professionals, like those run by the Women in Health Network (WiHN), Students of Rural Health Aotearoa (SoRHA), the New Zealand Audiological Society, and more. Maral can't wait to MC this year's event and introduce our incredible speaker lineup for 2022!
