Rachel has worked many years in the Arts sector in New Zealand and abroad.  After studying Professional Stage Management and Technical Theatre at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Rachel worked with various organisations in the UK and Ireland, mostly in opera.  In Aotearoa, after eight years managing tours for Chamber Music New Zealand, Rachel joined the team at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award, an amazing charity helping youth to achieve self-development challenges.  Rachel can also be found in various Wellington venues on their Host team, or helping out backstage with shows.

Rachel has worked many years in the Arts sector in New Zealand and abroad.  After studying Professional Stage Management and Technical Theatre at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Rachel worked with various organisations in the UK and Ireland, mostly in opera.  In Aotearoa, after eight years managing tours for Chamber Music New Zealand, Rachel joined the team at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award, an amazing charity helping youth to achieve self-development challenges.  Rachel can also be found in various Wellington venues on their Host team, or helping out backstage with shows.

Robert studied at Victoria University, the University of Auckland and Queensland Conservatory of Music. Recent collaborations include An Evening with Simon O’Neill, NZ’s own international Wagnerian star, Kiri and Friends (training the chorus for a concert at Vector Arena as part of the Rugby World Cup, 2011 festival featuring Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra); celebrated New Zealand artist Michael Parekowhai, on the launch of his entry for the Venice Art Biennale, On First Looking Into Chapman’s Homer; The Island Chai concert series with Aivale Cole, Benjamin Makisi, Anna Pierard and Phil Rhodes at the Auckland Museum, a concert for the union heads of the Rugby World Cup, 2011. He was artistic director of the V8 Vocal Ensemble, training the group for two performances of Berio’s Sinfonia with James Judd and the NZSO. Robert was formerly conductor of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir and voice clinician for the New Zealand Youth Choir and VOICES New Zealand Chamber Choir.

Nick Tipping is a broadcaster, musician, and jazz specialist based in Wellington. He holds a PhD in Musicology, focusing on the New Zealand jazz scene, and has performed extensively as a bassist with ensembles ranging from the NZSO and The Kugels to The Jac and the Rodger Fox Big Band. A three-time winner of the Best Jazz Artist award at the Aotearoa Music Awards, Nick also has a lifelong passion for choral music, having grown up in a family of choral musicians and performed in choirs from an early age. He is passionate about music education and outreach. Since 2018, Nick has been the daytime host on RNZ Concert, where he champions New Zealand music.

Despite having a lifelong relationship with music, Catherine’s first career choice was Occupational Therapy, which she practised for 20 years both in New Zealand and the UK. Through a wide range of professional opportunities, Catherine has developed a holistic, empowering, person centred approach with a strong understanding of the importance of overall wellbeing and individual agency. A career shift in 2018 opened the door for Catherine to explore her engagement with music. She is a capable pianist and enthusiastic classical singer. She believes strongly that everyone has a place in music and works for Auckland’s largest group of community choirs All Together Now as an Assistant Choir Leader and Wellbeing Advisor. She founded a choir for upper voices at one of Auckland’s largest secondary schools, has organise music competitions and had a variety of roles with Trinity College of Music. She is a regular performer and programme organiser for Auckland Art Song and Lieder. Combining her passion for music and her considerable professional skills, Catherine has found herself uniquely suited to the role of Wellbeing Advisor for Academy Choir.