Sarah McNabb has just been announced as the 2026 Assistant Conductor for Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand, the body that governs our national choirs. The one-year role is part of a dedicated annual mentoring programme to develop the country’s future choral leaders. Sarah will work across the national choirs gaining insights and experience from each music director. She’ll also benefit from the mentoring of guest conductors, from both Aotearoa and overseas, who will be working with CANZ across the year.
“I am beyond excited for the learning and growth ahead of me,” says Sarah, “It’s a privilege to have this opportunity to work with the amazing CANZ team, contribute to these incredible ensembles and be part of this year’s music-making journey.”
During her tenure, Sarah will get to conduct some of the repertoire for New Zealand Youth Choir, New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir and Aotearoa Choral Academy, and she’ll be able to observe the country’s premier chamber choir, Voices NZ.
“We’re delighted that Sarah has accepted the position of CANZ Assistant Conductor 2026 and thrilled to welcome her into the whānau,” says Jessica Kinney, Manager of Artistic Planning and Outreach for CANZ, “Amid tight competition, Sarah’s ethos and passion for the artistry and education of choral music shone through, and we look forward to seeing what her talent and musicianship brings to our choirs in this key leadership training role.”
Originally from the US, Sarah moved to New Zealand in 2009 following a stint teaching English in Tonga. Her music teaching career began on Waiheke Island where she established Waiheke High School’s first choral programme. Sarah is head of music at Macleans College, leading a thriving choral programme and overseeing five choirs and more than 400 students. In 2024, Macleans College Chorale took out gold at the World Choir Games in Auckland and sang as part of its mass choir. Sarah has also directed community choirs, including as part of the directorship team of All Together Now. She has been a passionate choral singer since the age of seven when she joined Essex Children’s Choir. Since then, Sarah has sung with show choirs, university chamber and madrigal choirs and was part of MUSE: Cincinnati’s Women’s Choir. In New Zealand, Sarah has sung with Waiheke Island’s Sister Shout and the Auckland Chamber Choir, and she currently sings with Luminata Voices. Sarah has a Bachelor of Choral Music Education from Butler University (Hons) and a Master of Music from The University of Auckland, where her 2022 thesis was titled: The singer’s understanding of imagery and metaphorical language as teaching tools in the secondary-school choral rehearsal.
For more information: Rachel Healy, Publicist, T: 027 2706105, E: rachel@rachelhealy.co.nz










