Lyric Soprano, Madeleine Pierard began her musical life as a pianist and chorister in Napier, New Zealand and later as a member of The New Zealand Youth Choir, The Tudor Consort and Voices New Zealand.
Ruby began learning music at a young age, playing the piano and discovering her love for choral singing as a member of Cantala at Wellington East Girls’ College. Ruby has gone on to sing with multiple groups, including The Wellington Youth Choir since 2022.
Following completion of her BCom in accounting and commercial law at Victoria University in 2020, Ruby works as a business advisory consultant and has recently become a chartered accountant.
Courtney holds an MMus with Distinction in Conducting from UC, complementing her BMus(Hons) in Performance Voice and a BA in German and Linguistics from Otago. Her love of singing began in primary school and she earned her ABRSM Diploma at 16. She has since featured as a soloist with the Nelson Symphony Orchestra, Opera Otago, Octagon Ensemble, Christchurch Opera Club, City Choir Dunedin, Christchurch Youth Orchestra, Jubilate Singers and Risingholme Orchestra.
Her musical endeavours extend beyond singing; Courtney directs choirs (UC’s Consortia, Harmony Singers, Schola Cantorum), vocal coaches, and offers private tuition. Recognised with the J.M.W. Speirs Memorial Prize in Choral Conducting during her time in Dunedin, she directed the Southern Youth Choir and the Selwyn College Choirs and served as Director of Music at All Saints’. Courtney is an adept violinist and composer and is also a sought-after relief teacher, tutors music theory and ensemble at the University of Canterbury, and is an adjudicator at local vocal and arts competitions.
Catherine can be found learning from and supporting Kate at Hobsonville choir, and also as a key member of the team at some of our bigger events.
She is founding Musical Director of Gloriana, the girls’ choir at Mt Albert Grammar School. 2023 has seen her undertaking a year of Choral Conducting study with the New Zealand Children’s Choral Academy under Dr Karen Grylls.
Despite having a lifelong relationship with music, her first career choice was Occupational Therapy, which she practised both in New Zealand and the UK. In 2016, she moved to explore all things musical, completing an ATCL in Performance Piano in 2018, and is currently working towards an ATCL in Performance Singing, studying under Fay McNeil.
Catherine’s work facilitating musical engagement was recognised by the Institute of Registered Music Teachers, which awarded her Affiliate Membership in 2018. She has been Chairperson and event organiser at the West Auckland Performing Arts Competitions since 2016, and worked in a variety of roles for Trinity College of Music. She is currently on the committee for Auckland Art Song and Lieder, where she is a regular performer.
TRUSTEE SINCE 2024
Gina Rogers is a Communications Executive based in Wellington. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and English and Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications in Journalism. Gina worked as a programme editor and journalist for IRN, TVNZ and RNZ in New Zealand and CNBC Europe and BBC World in the UK. She has since managed communications for NZ On Air and the New Zealand Film Commission and is General Manager Communications at IHC New Zealand. She is a Member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand and enjoys music and the arts.
Amanda Barclay is a lawyer and public servant based in Wellington. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Music from the University of Otago, and a Masters in Law, (In House Practice) from the College of Law in Sydney. Amanda has been a member of all three national choirs; NZSSC, National Youth Choir and Voices NZ, as well as being a member of the New Zealand Opera Chorus and Wellington based Tudor Consort ensemble.
(Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Hine)
Trustee since 2023
Bianca is a qualified optometrist and choral singer based in Auckland. She holds a Bachelor of Optometry with First Class Honours from The University of Auckland, graduating as a Senior Scholar with a Dean’s Medal. Bianca is also undertaking further study in te reo Māori.
Bianca was a long term member of the New Zealand Youth Choir and currently sings with Voices New Zealand and the Auckland Chamber Choir.
Rosie is a soprano from Blenheim currently Dunedin-based at the University of Otago. She is studying for a Bachelor of Music endorsed in Performance, under the tutelage of Dr Tessa Romano, and a Diploma of Languages in French. Whilst at secondary school, Rosie became the Marlborough District Council Anthem Singer and received a grant from the Inspire Foundation to support her performance endeavours. She was a member of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir in 2021 and 2022, and was the soprano section leader for the Aotearoa New Zealand Academy Choir in 2023. In Dunedin, she is a member and soloist of the Southern Youth Choir, has performed in the Octagon Ensemble, and in the Opera Otago Chorus.
