“Hollins is redefining the boundaries between poetry, psychology, and music.”

Stephen Hollins – Artist Biography

The Renaissance Artist Who Discovered Music Through Poetry and AI

Stephen Hollins is a New Zealand-born Renaissance artist whose four-decade career spans theatre, opera, poetry, and music. In 2024, he pioneered a groundbreaking approach to songwriting by transforming poetry into AI-assisted music, releasing 22 singles and animated videos in just seven weeks. His work fuses psychology, performance, and innovation, creating music that resonates with both the heart and the mind.

From Stage to Studio: A Four-Decade Journey

Stephen began his artistic path with a Diploma in Drama from Auckland University (1987). His training included Theatre Corporate in Auckland, John Bolton Physical Theatre School in Melbourne, and a decade of improvisational study with Al Wunder—making him New Zealand’s only qualified teacher of Open Form Improvisational Theatre.

Over the years, Stephen performed in Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Measure for Measure), operas (Carmen, Madame Butterfly), and musicals. He sang with Melbourne’s barbershop quartet The Bell Hops and Waiheke’s V.12 Choir, while also accompanying students as a percussionist for 35 years.

International Recognition

Between 1993–2000, Stephen co-founded Soldier & Dancer Partnership, creating 47 original shows that toured internationally. In 1998, Hong Kong press recognized him as one of Australia’s leading clowns and mime artists. In 2010, he represented New Zealand at the International Improvisational Festival in Lyon, France.

From 2010–2020, he worked as a Clown Doctor at Starship Children’s Hospital while leading leadership workshops for Leadership NZ and directing Waiheke Playback Theatre.

The Poetry Awakening

On the Camino pilgrimage in Spain, Stephen discovered poetry—an awakening that became the foundation for his current work. He has since published 65+ poems in anthologies, released his debut collection Her Soft Fingers Pickpocket My Brains (2022), and completed Breakfast with Jung, a 126-poem exploration of Carl Jung’s psychology.

The AI Music Revolution

In 2024, Stephen pioneered an innovative process of transforming poetry into music with AI tools. In just seven weeks, he:

  • Released 22 singles on all major streaming platforms
  • Produced 22 animated videos with Kaiber.ai
  • Gained 1,250+ followers across social media
  • Built a diverse multi-genre catalog of AI-assisted songs

"Hearing my poetry return to me as song is extremely fulfilling. It feels like the culmination of all my artistic experiences," he reflects.

“Breakfast with Jung” – The Masterwork

This flagship project transforms Jungian psychology into an emotionally rich cycle of songs. Its nine chapters explore The Collective Unconscious, The Shadow, Archetypes, The Persona, Anima & Animus, Individuation, Synchronicity, The Self, and Dreams.

Career Highlight

22 singles + 22 animated videos released in 2024

Represented New Zealand at the International Improvisational Festival (Lyon, 2010)

Best Mime Artist – Hong Kong Arts Festival (1998)

Co-founded Soldier & Dancer, touring 47 original shows internationally

Lead roles in Shakespeare, opera, musicals, and recent theatre productions (An Inspector Calls, 2023)

Clown Doctor at Starship Children’s Hospital (2010–2020)

Published poet with 65+ works in anthologies and two full-length collections

Music