Ariathea is the artist name of me, Georgia Duder-Wood. I am a singer, teacher of voice and sound healer. She is the call to write my own lyrics and melodies, to honour the full, authentic expression of my heart and soul with my own songs.

With the co-creation of stellar musicians and producers, I offer Super Loves, an album of songs from my heart and influenced by the great, high consciousness groovers: Earth Wind & Fire, Sly, Marvin, Stevie, Donny, Aretha and, of course, His Purple Highness, Prince.

I am pleased also to re-release Pacific Lullabies, original Aotearoa-inspired lullabies (with lyrics from top New Zealand children’s authors including my mama, Tessa Duder) and Salutations, my interpretations of classic songs from some of my favourite artists.

This first album (of more, for now I have cleared the dam the water of inspiration is flowing!) follows a 20-year career as a professional singer here in Aotearoa and internationally, mostly in musical theatre, cabaret, jazz, and soul, but also a one-woman rock opera, big band, burlesque, voice over and film and TV. Most recently I have further honed my craft studying classical voice under Dame Malvina Major and Stephanie Acraman at Waikato University.

Mat Fields

Mat Fieldes has recently returned to Aotearoa from a stellar international career based in New York. Trained at Julliard School of Music in New York and sought after in classical, jazz, rock, hip-hop, R&B, and on Broadway, he has collaborated with or played for such luminaries as Joe Jackson, John Cale, Ornette Coleman, Beyonce & Jay Z, Sufjan Stevens, Steve Vai, and Arturo Sandaval.

Doug Brush

Doug Brush is an American-born percussionist, granted citizenship in Aotearoa for his unique musical offerings. Classically trained at the American Conservatory of Music and Roosevelt University in Chicago, he graduated with honours. He has studied with percussion masters in Cuba, Spain, North India, South India, North Africa, and West Africa, playing and performing on five continents.

Eric Renick

Originally from Indianapolis, Eric Renick is the section principal for percussion for the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. He gained a Master’s degree and artist certificate from Chicago’s Roosevelt and DePaul universities, and in 2007 he was awarded a Fellowship with the New World Symphony (NWS), and is an Artist Teacher at the University of Auckland.

Nick Taylor

is a strong musician and talented bassist who started music at the age of 5 and heavily involved in music since then. Since completing a Bachelor of Music speacialing in Jazz Performance in 2012, Nick has done extensive travelling around the world playing on numerous Cruise Ships throughout the Pacific, Caribbean and Mediterranean. Also having contracts in Dubai at a five star hotel, in the South of France performing at The Royal Mougins Golf Resort and at a Michilin starred restaurant Moulin de Mougins.

Ariathea – Super Love

My first offering of original songs. All lyrics are mine, and reflect my spiritual journey; its lessons and wisdom. They are an important part of the album, and so are available to view here soon.

Some of the melodies are mine, and some are a co-lab with my soul brother Marshall Smith of The Sound Room.

Anchoring the human groove is bassist Mat Fieldes who returned to Aotearoa in 2020 after a stellar international career based in New York. We were in a band together as teenagers, and his fortuitous arrival as I began the project felt Divinely inspired indeed.

The wood, metal, skin and bone element is courtesy of American born (and now national treasure for Aotearoa) percussionist Doug Brush. From donkey jaw guiro to berimbau; Tibetan, Indian bell and Moroccan hand cymbal, to African djembe and South American pandeiro, I knew he was the one to anchor this album in the indigenous sounds of Gaia.

This album is also a shout out to the great, high consciousness groovers whose music inspires me: His Purple Highness Prince, Stevie Wonder, Sly & the Family Stone, Donny Hathaway, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sting, Kate Bush and, more recently, Jacob Collier. Thank you.

Ariathea – Super Love

My first offering of original songs. All lyrics are mine, and reflect my spiritual journey; its lessons and wisdom. They are an important part of the album, and so are available to view here.

Some of the melodies are mine, and some are a co-lab with my soul brother Marshall Smith of The Sound Room.

Anchoring the human groove is bassist Mat Fieldes who returned to Aotearoa in 2020 after a stellar international career based in New York. We were in a band together as teenagers, and his fortuitous arrival as I began the project felt Divinely inspired indeed.

The wood, metal, skin and bone element is courtesy of American born (and now national treasure for Aotearoa) percussionist Doug Brush. From donkey jaw guiro to berimbau; Tibetan, Indian bell and Moroccan hand cymbal, to African djembe and South American pandeiro, I knew he was the one to anchor this album in the indigenous sounds of Gaia.

This album is also a shout out to the great, high consciousness groovers whose music inspires me: His Purple Highness Prince, Stevie Wonder, Sly & the Family Stone, Donny Hathaway, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sting, Kate Bush and, more recently, Jacob Collier. Thank you.

Ariathea – Salutations

Originally released in 2010 as Happenstance by The Standard Funk Ensemble, this album is versions of classic soul and pop tunes, celebrating some of the artists I’ve been most inspired by. It also includes jazz standards that honour the influence of the great female jazz vocalists, and my love of the era.  Recorded with musos with whom I did many a live gig and some beautiful guest artists. Thanks groovers.

Ariathea – Pacific Lullabies

Originally recorded for “A Book of Pacific Lullabies”, from famous New Zealand authors, including my mother Tessa Duder and edited by her.

I knew I had to re-release this special batch of “sleepy time” songs. The vocals are newly recorded and represent my heart and soul, now, in 2021. Thanks to Mike Bloemendal for re-mastering and adding the natural sound escape (I do my own whale sounds).

A recent National Geographic article from January 2015 about “Firsts” focuses on the cognitive development of children. It says “Different stimuli and tasks such as hearing a lullaby or reaching for a toy help establish different neural networks. Circuits get strengthened through repeated activation….” language as sound is the bedrock upon which words and grammar are built” …. “scientist Kuhl has proposed the “social gating” hypothesis: the idea that social experience (i.e. sharing activity) is portal to linguistic cognitive and emotional development.”

So!

My greatest wish is that whanau and friends will sing along, with me, (or maybe even without me!) using their voices to soothe and settle their little ones.

In turn, I also hope that this music will help children to develop their musicality, and their own voices.