OUR PEOPLE
Sue Densem
Music Director and Conductor
Susan’s professional singing career began in 1986 with Canterbury Opera, then continued as an opera singer and soprano soloist for many choral societies within New Zealand and Australia. She has toured extensively overseas performing with a number of ensembles and has been a soloist on many occasions for Sir David Willcocks. After completing her music and […]
Rachel Alexander
Assistant Director & Vocal Consultant
Rachel Alexander studied at the University of Auckland and holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) and a Master of Music (Honours) in Classical Performance (Voice). Rachel was a member of NZYC and sang with the New Zealand Opera Chorus from 2005-2014. Rachel is currently singing with Voices New Zealand Chamber […]
Brent Stewart
Assistant Director & Accompanist
Brent is currently Head of Music at Wellington East Girls’ College, Music Director of The Orpheus Choir of Wellington, and Orchestra Wellington’s Sub-Principal Percussionist. Brent studied at Auckland University, Victoria University of Wellington and the New Zealand School of Music. He has extensive experience performing both nationally and internationally and has performed and recorded as […]
Anna Bowron
Manager NZSSC
Anna studied languages and business at Waikato University and later, during years working and travelling in the UK, decided on a career in arts management. Following postgraduate studies in Arts Administration at London City University, she worked in touring theatre production in the north of England. On her return to New Zealand, Anna joined Taki […]
Carole Randall
Student Wellbeing and Course Logistics Manager
Carole brings a range of skills to her role as NZSSC Student Wellbeing and Course Logistics Manager. She has worked at the University of Otago College of Education lecturing in Music Education and Professional Practice for 21 years after teaching in numerous primary schools. She has also been a Music Adviser in Otago and Southland […]
Dr Karen Grylls
Artistic Director
Dr Karen Grylls was appointed Musical Director of the New Zealand Youth Choir in 1989. She founded Voices New Zealand in March 1998, and is now Artistic Director of both these national choirs.
Arne Herrmann
Chief Executive
Taking up the role as Chief Executive of Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand in May 2016, Arne has worked for over 20 years in Arts and Festival Management in New Zealand. He held senior management positions at New Zealand Festival, Auckland Arts Festival, and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and the contemporary dance company The Human Garden.
Ben Fagan
Marketing Manager
Ben Fagan is a poet, producer and marketer. He comes to Choirs NZ from time as a digital media coordinator in London.
BOARD
For more information on the Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand trustees, please visit choirs.nz
Andrea Gray
Chair
Andrea is currently Deputy Chief Executive at NZQA and leads the Digital Assessment Transformation. She has a BMus, BA (Linguistics) and an MA (Library & Information Studies).
Diana Cable
Trustee
Diana Cable was a founding member of the New Zealand Youth Choir and her career has been in radio and arts management. She is Chair of the Artistic Advisory Group of Choirs Aotearoa.
Warwick Mitchell
Trustee
Warwick Mitchell has been involved in choral singing for over twenty-five years. He is a current singing member of Auckland Choral and was its Chair for nine years.
Les Foy
Trustee
Les Foy is a chartered accountant and heads up the specialist audit team at Crowe Horwath Wellington.
Diccon Sim
Trustee
Diccon Sim was a member of the New Zealand Youth Choir from 1983 to 1988, and a member of its management committee during that time. He is a partner in Dunedin law firm, Gallaway Cook Allan.
Gary Colquhoun-Petherick
Trustee
Gary is a Business Professional with 30 plus year’s experience in the technology sector. He has worked for large multinational IT organisations and currently works for a nationwide technology provider as an Account Director.
