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.