Tracey Collins, Class of '99 Professional Accordionist
Wednesday, July 1
Earlier this year, just before the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, Tracey Collins performed in the Vive La France festival in Milford, entertaining around the market place and on the entertainment stage, The same day, she travelled to Hamilton to play in an Irish band on the Waikato Explorer river boat as part of the Hamilton Gardens Festival.

Tracey Collins is thought to be New Zealand’s only female professional Accordion Entertainer. She has been playing for 30 years, the past 16 years professionally, with a versatile repertoire including Mediterranean, Celtic, and Latin in a range of styles - classical, lounge or contemporary.
 
She left Westlake at the end of Form 6 in 1998. Her musical involvement was principally outside of school, apart from assembly performances. In her Form 4 year, 1996, she was part of the Air NZ Accordion Orchestra which toured Europe.

She has won considerable praise for her talent throughout New Zealand, Australia and Asia, and has played at events such as The America's Cup, NZ Fashion Week, Volvo Ocean Race, Food & Wine Festivals, Remuera French Festival, and the Tauranga Jazz Festival.

She combines this with a successful career as a voice-over specialist in corporate narrations, training videos and TV and radio commercials.