Megan Hurnard is a seasoned alto and long-standing member of Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir, having sung with the ensemble since 1999. With a deep love for choral music and ensemble performance, she has participated in numerous national and international tours, festivals, and high-profile concert events. Megan’s singing experience also includes time with The Tudor Consort, where she developed a strong foundation in early music, and Sings Harry Vocal Ensemble, known for its distinctive New Zealand repertoire and close harmony work. Her commitment to vocal excellence, blend, and musical expression has made her a valued contributor across a wide range of choral projects.

Outside of her musical life, Megan brings significant leadership experience from New Zealand’s public sector. She joined EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) in July 2024, where she leads work at the intersection of digital, data, and customer strategy. Megan is known for driving cross-functional collaboration, using evidence and insights to inform strategic decisions, and delivering outcomes that are centred on user needs and public value.

Before joining EECA, Megan served as General Manager, Data, Evidence and Insights at the Ministry for the Environment, and held senior roles at New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, contributing to major programmes in digital transformation, customer experience, and strategic operations.

Megan’s unique blend of artistic and analytical disciplines reflects her passion for both creativity and impact—whether on stage or in the delivery of public-good initiatives.

Jessica Wells joined Voices NZ in 2017. She sang in the New Zealand Youth Choir from 2000 until 2005.

Jessica began her choral career in Epsom Girls’ Grammar School’s choir, Opus, under David Hamilton. Joining on the promise of a trip to Hawaii, she was fully addicted to choral singing before the tour began.

Since then, Jessica has sung in the University Singers, New London Singers, University Cathedral Choir (Cape Town, South Africa), and Musica Sacra. She currently sings with Viva Voce and the Auckland branch of the Freemasons New Zealand Opera Chorus.

For a day job, Jessica teaches class music at Gladstone Primary School using the Kodaly approach.

Christine Argyle was a member of the 1982 NZ Youth Choir.

She studied French, German and Music at Canterbury University and also holds an LTCL diploma in Singing and a Diploma in Performing Arts (Opera) from Auckland University.

Christine has sung with Voices New Zealand since its formation in 2018 and has travelled with the choir to Spain, Singapore, Australia, the UK, France and Germany. She is a former member of the NZ National Youth Choir, London Symphony Chorus and Auckland Opera Chorus.

Following conducting studies at Auckland University with Karen Grylls and Uwe Grodd, Christine founded Wellington’s Nota Bene chamber choir and the Wellington Young Voices children’s choir.

Christine is currently the CE of the New Zealand Choral Federation.

Christine Argyle was a member of the 1982 NZ Youth Choir.

She studied French, German and Music at Canterbury University and also holds an LTCL diploma in Singing and a Diploma in Performing Arts (Opera) from Auckland University.

Christine has sung with Voices New Zealand since its formation in 2018 and has travelled with the choir to Spain, Singapore, Australia, the UK, France and Germany. She is a former member of the NZ National Youth Choir, London Symphony Chorus and Auckland Opera Chorus.

Following conducting studies at Auckland University with Karen Grylls and Uwe Grodd, Christine founded Wellington’s Nota Bene chamber choir and the Wellington Young Voices children’s choir.

Christine is currently the CE of the New Zealand Choral Federation.

Thomas is originally from Christchurch and lives in Auckland.

He is a primary school teacher.

With a love of singing choral and early music, Andrea was in the New Zealand National Youth Choir from 1985 to 1993 and then again in 1996. She has sung with Voices New Zealand since 1996 and also sang with the World Youth Choir twice in her younger days. Andrea also sings with The Tudor Consort and Baroque Voices in Wellington.

After working in the arts and adult education and a stint as a stay-at-home-parent, Andrea is now re-training to be a pre-school teacher.

Sponsored by Fay Pankhurst (2019, 2020, 2021)

Fiona has been a member of Voices NZ Chamber Choir since 2006 and has previously sung with NZ Youth Choir, London’s BBC Symphony Chorus, V8, Auckland Chamber Choir and Dorian Choir. Fiona is the Director of Cantare, the premier girls choir at Westlake Girls High School in Auckland, where she is the Head of Music.

Celia is an accomplished soprano with extensive experience in ensemble singing. She sang with the New Zealand Youth Choir for seven years and has been a longstanding member of Voices Chamber Choir, participating on and off since its inception in 1998. Deeply passionate about choral music—particularly the art of close ensemble singing—Celia was an original member of Auckland’s renowned V8 Vocal Ensemble, a group celebrated for their performances spanning from Renaissance madrigals to contemporary pop.

Throughout her career, Celia has performed with numerous choirs and participated in a range of international tours, festivals, and prestigious concerts. Currently, she is an active member of Luminata Voices women’s chamber choir, Auckland Chamber Choir, and St Matthew’s Voices quartet.

In addition to her musical pursuits, Celia holds a position as a Marine Platform Specialist at an insurance company in Auckland.

DMA, DipRAM, PGDip(Perf), BMus(Hons), LRAM

Dr Morag Atchison is one of New Zealand’s leading sopranos and pedagogues. She studied at the University of Auckland and Royal Academy of Music (London), and was a finalist in the Kathleen Ferrier and Royal Over-Seas League competitions. Her operatic roles include Helmwige, Die Walküre (NZSO); Lady-in-waiting, Macbeth; First Lady, Magic Flute (NBR NZ Opera); Fourth Maid, Elektra (APO); Blumenmädchen, Parsifal (NZSO), and Tosca (cover) for NZ Opera. Morag works regularly with all of New Zealand’s major orchestras and choral societies, and has performed as a soloist in Canada, the USA, Italy, The Netherlands, France, Kenya, Seychelles, and throughout the UK. Recent highlights include Britten War Requiem with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Carmina Burana with the Christchurch City Choir, Verdi Requiem with Bach Musica, Pierrot Lunaire for the University of Auckland, and recitals for Chamber Music New Zealand with Catrin Johnsson and Rachel Fuller. Morag is also a member of the national chamber choir, Voices New Zealand.

Morag is a Lecturer in Voice at the University of Auckland, and is a vocal tutor for the highly acclaimed NZ Youth Choir, University of Auckland Chamber Choir, Choralation from Westlake Girls’ and Boys’ High Schools, and is on staff at the NZ Singing School. This year Morag will be presenting lectures at the World Choral Symposium in Barcelona (with Assoc Prof Karen Grylls), and at the International Congress of Voice Teachers in Stockholm.

DMA, DipRAM, PGDip(Perf), BMus(Hons), LRAM

Dr Morag Atchison is one of New Zealand’s leading sopranos and pedagogues. She studied at the University of Auckland and Royal Academy of Music (London), and was a finalist in the Kathleen Ferrier and Royal Over-Seas League competitions. Her operatic roles include Helmwige, Die Walküre (NZSO); Lady-in-waiting, Macbeth; First Lady, Magic Flute (NBR NZ Opera); Fourth Maid, Elektra (APO); Blumenmädchen, Parsifal (NZSO), and Tosca (cover) for NZ Opera. Morag works regularly with all of New Zealand’s major orchestras and choral societies, and has performed as a soloist in Canada, the USA, Italy, The Netherlands, France, Kenya, Seychelles, and throughout the UK. Recent highlights include Britten War Requiem with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Carmina Burana with the Christchurch City Choir, Verdi Requiem with Bach Musica, Pierrot Lunaire for the University of Auckland, and recitals for Chamber Music New Zealand with Catrin Johnsson and Rachel Fuller. Morag is also a member of the national chamber choir, Voices New Zealand.

Morag is a Lecturer in Voice at the University of Auckland, and is a vocal tutor for the highly acclaimed NZ Youth Choir, University of Auckland Chamber Choir, Choralation from Westlake Girls’ and Boys’ High Schools, and is on staff at the NZ Singing School. This year Morag will be presenting lectures at the World Choral Symposium in Barcelona (with Assoc Prof Karen Grylls), and at the International Congress of Voice Teachers in Stockholm.