IMAGE CAPTION: Mike Chunn addresses SAE Auckland’s graduating class of 2020.

SAE Creative Media Institute congratulates the Degree ‘Class of 2020’, with over 40 students graduating at the annual SAE Auckland Graduation Ceremony held last week.

Held at the Q Theatre on Auckland’s Queen street, the SAE ceremony graduated students from the Bachelor of Audio Production, Bachelor of Music Production and Bachelor of Screen Production programmes, as well as the final cohort of the Bachelor of Recording Arts.

Guest speaker Mike Chunn addressed the attendees, alongside a valedictorian from each of the three main degree disciplines. One of whom, Stella Taylor, who completed the Bachelor of Screen Production, talked to her fellow graduates about celebrating alongside the challenges of managing study within a global pandemic.

IMAGE CAPTION: Bachelor of Screen Production Valedictorian, Stella Taylor, addresses the graduates.

“It feels surreal [to be graduating], like it’s snuck up on me,” Stella said. “But I also feel very ready. I’m excited to get started in the industry… this qualification has laid the groundwork.”

“I feel very lucky to have a few projects coming up that will hopefully get the ball rolling [in the creative industries]. I am currently working as a producer on a music video for a well known NZ artist which is exciting!”

Overcoming a global pandemic during the final year of study created challenges, but the graduating students have extra reasons to celebrate their achievements in 2020, which was an unforgettable experience for all at SAE.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Music, SAE Auckland alumna Mahima Mane-Chapman feels ‘relief’ to have finished his qualification. “Getting this far gives me a sense of power. We made it!” he said.

Mahima says he’s proud of his determination to complete the degree and will miss the people he met at SAE Auckland. “I enjoyed learning new skills and being challenged… but see myself shining regardless [of what the future holds].”

SAE Auckland’s Director, Dr Suzette Major, said she was ‘thrilled’ to see the first cohorts complete the maiden voyage of the brand new degree structures for Audio, Music and Screen Production.

“2020 was a challenging year for everybody, so the staff and I felt extra pride seeing all these fabulous students crossing the stage after overcoming such a huge year of ups and downs in Auckland,” she said.

IMAGE CAPTION: SAE Auckland’s graduating class of 2020

“We look forward to seeing what the future brings for our amazingly talented graduates, and we look forward to hearing about all their achievements as they take the next steps in their creative careers as SAE alumni,” she said.

Suzette says 2020 was full of valuable lessons for all at SAE, especially in regards to learning resilience. “I think 2020 taught us how to be flexible and adapt to unknown situations,” she said. “But it also highlighted how close-knit we are as an institution, and a community - and that student relationships and support systems are very much at the forefront of our campus values.”

With the next academic trimester just around the corner, Suzette invites anyone interested in the three-year degrees or one-year diplomas to get in touch with SAE’s friendly programme advisors, or check out the website for more details.

Trimester 1 programmes for Audio, Music and Screen Production begin on Tuesday 9th of February.

IMAGES CREDIT: BC Photography New Zealand