Saylene Tanielu-Ulberg

Saylene Tanielu-Ulberg is an accomplished musician, educator, producer and advocate whose work advances Pacific culture across music, tertiary education and the creative industries. Over more than two decades, she has championed Pacific talent, strengthened cultural representation and created pathways for emerging artists, musicians and learners.

Education & Research

From 2019 to 2021, Saylene completed a Bachelor of Musical Arts at MAINZ through a three-year PMA/SIT Scholarship. She is now undertaking postgraduate study in Education, developing a research focus on Pacific music as an expression of numeracy and literacy and on the recognition of Pacific knowledge within education.

Tertiary Education & Cultural Capability

Since 2024, Saylene has contributed to the development and delivery of SAE Auckland’s Pacific Songwriting programme, launched in 2025. As a lecturer in the Bachelor of Songwriting programme, she seeks Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities that connect students’ creative practice with industry and professional pathways. She previously served as a Student Success Advisor, mentoring students throughout their academic and creative journeys.

From April 2019 to December 2025, Saylene was Senior Pacific Advisor at Ako Aotearoa. Her portfolio spanned Pacific professional learning and development, cultural capability, research and tertiary education. She managed Pacific research projects and facilitated Pacific Cultural Capability programmes across the tertiary sector, helping advance approaches that recognise Pacific knowledge, identity, relationships and community as educational strengths.

Governance and Advocacy

Saylene’s leadership spans governance, sector development and advocacy. She is an active member of the Association of Pacific Staff in Tertiary Education (APSTE), served on the board of the Titirangi Festival of Music in 2025 and is a current Board Trustee of Literacy Waitākere. In November 2026, she will join the ISB Advisory Group for ETITC, contributing expertise across Pacific education, cultural capability and the creative industries.

As Co-Director of Mahi Moana, a Pacific-led organisation established in 2020, Saylene advocates for Pacific songwriters, musicians and artists. She also promotes the protection, recognition and advancement of Pacific creative knowledge and practice across the wider music industry.

Production and Performance

Saylene’s producing work reflects her commitment to Pacific artists and audiences. In July 2024, she co-produced the Tina Turner Tribute Show at SkyCity Theatre with Tutasi Lam and the late Cathryn Laban, featuring Annie Crummer, Betty-Anne Hall and Hawkins. She later co-produced Timeless Duets Vol. 1, celebrating soul, Motown and R&B repertoire with some of Aotearoa’s much-loved artists, musicians and vocalists. She is now co-producing Timeless Duets Vol. 2, planned for SkyCity Theatre in 2027.

Her experience also includes tour management: she led the Excel School of Performing Arts on a national tour in 2018 and served on its Academic Advisory Board from 2019 to 2023.

An accomplished keyboard player and vocalist, Saylene has performed extensively throughout Aotearoa and internationally, including as keyboardist and backing vocalist for Annie Crummer, Rob Ruha, King Kapisi and Ardijah.

Across her work as an educator, musician, producer, advisor, researcher and advocate, Saylene creates spaces in which Pacific knowledge and creativity are recognised and valued. By connecting education, music, cultural capability and industry, she continues to strengthen pathways, representation and opportunities for Pacific people and future generations.

Saylene can mentor on Education, Songwriting/Production, Live Music, Musicianship, Music Direction, Pasifika Kaitiaki, Supporting Emerging Managers and Self-Managed Artists.