Part Keynote, Part Live Concert – All Inspiration’

I fuse live music, powerful storytelling, and the magic of the performing arts to help people unlock their confidence, creativity, and courage. Every performance is a bespoke, high-energy experience that audiences remember – and act on.

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A black and white portrait of a man wearing a pinstripe suit, a white shirt, and a fedora hat. He is holding a pair of eyeglasses and has a slight smile with arms crossed.

Speaker

A dynamic speaker blending music and storytelling to inspire, challenge, and energize audiences.

A woman with glasses and a hat leaning against a vintage car on a city street, holding books.

Author

An insightful author exploring music, culture, and identity through compelling books that inform, inspire, and provoke thought.

  • "As well as being a hugely engaging and accessible speaker, Dr Chapman is a pleasure to work with. He is wholly professional and guaranteed to deliver, always with a warmth, energy, generosity and positivity that makes each project a delight and is reflected in the wide support he enjoys within the community."

    Nicky Page Director City of Literature

  • “As a highly charismatic, motivational speaker, Ian provided the perfect mix of entertainment, engagement and connection for conference participants. As the final speaker at a two day conference he established the perfect closing climate for our group, leaving people feeling highly engaged, positive and motivated. Our post conference feedback was extremely positive and participants noted that the choice of Ian as the final speaker left them feeling on a high. Multiple people noted that he was the most motivating and inspiring speaker they had ever heard and this reflects Ian’s true strength. He connects individually with the group as people respond and connect to different elements of his story.”

    — Suzy Keene, Senior Training Advisor at the University of Otago

  • "It was an extraordinary and rousing performance by the academic musicologist and Bowie aficionado, and author of the book “Experiencing David Bowie: A Listener’s Companion”, Ian Chapman. Ian was brilliantly accompanied by Liam Donnelly on piano and Pania Simmonds on acoustic and electric bass, and sounds they made together were sublime.”

    Christchurch City Libraries Blog

  • “Ian spoke at our conference dinner for the Otago Southland Branches of the New Zealand Law Society. He delivered a wonderful blend of storytelling and music with a heartfelt and inspiring message for our guests. Ian’s work with us as a professional motivational speaker made my role as Conference Convenor a breeze!”

    Lucia Vincent (Employment Lawyer)