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 […]
Brent Stewart
Assistant Director & Accompanist
Brent Stewart is currently Orpheus Choir Wellington’s Music Director, Orchestra Wellington’s Principal Percussionist, and NZSSC’s Assistant Director. On the side, Brent also serves as NZSO’s director of filming. Brent was HoD Music at Wellington East Girls’ College from 2010-2019 and Music Director of the Hutt Valley Orchestra from 2007-2017. Coming up, Brent will be conducting […]
Anna Bowron
Outreach Manager / NZ Secondary Students' Choir Manager
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 […]
Adam Koveskali
NZ Secondary Students' Choir Manager
Adam studied Acting at the New Zealand College of Performing Arts followed by a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Performing Arts through Whitireia Polytechnic. He has worked behind the scenes and performed on stages and screens across New Zealand, America, Australia, China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Adam is a familiar face to many Wellington families from his work […]
Benjamin Madden
Vocal Consultant
Benjamin Madden is a proudly born-and-bred Dunedin tenor trained by Pat Scally-Richardson and Judy Bellingham. Since finishing vocal study at the University of Otago, Benjamin has been working as a choral director and private singing tutor in Dunedin since 2014. Ben currently teaches singing and directs choirs for Otago Boys’ High School, Otago Girls’ High […]
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