Te Whanganui-a-Tara based mezzo-soprano Kassandra Wang is an active solo and ensemble singer across Aotearoa. Her work and training span styles including classical, pop, jazz, and musical theatre. With a degree in electronic and jazz composition, Kassandra is a passionate advocate of new music, fresh interpretations, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Althea joined NZYC in 2020. Originally from the Philippines, Althea is currently based in Auckland. Her interest in singing began at Westlake Girls High School where she sang as part of Cantare and Choralation choirs. Althea enjoys singing at church and in community choirs. She also plays the violin. Althea studied Law and Commerce at the University of Auckland and was successfully admitted to the bar in 2024. She currently works as an advisor in the public sector.
Brittany Osborne is a classical singer originally hailing from windy Wellington. Having completed her LLB(Hons)/BMus at the University of Auckland under the tutelage of Dr Morag Atchison, Brittany now works in criminal defence and is set to be admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court in mid-2025.
A member of the New Zealand Youth Choir since 2020 and the New Zealand Opera Chorus since 2022, Brittany has performed as a chorister with prominent ensembles such as Voices New Zealand, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. She also cantors weekly at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick & Saint Joseph. While her day-to-day focuses on ensuring the rights of those in the criminal justice system are upheld, Brittany is grateful that she can balance her legal career with her passion for music.
Eden Garside is a soprano from Tawa, Wellington based in Auckland. This is her fourth year and second cycle with NZYC. She is currently studying a bachelor of Classical voice at the University of Auckland under the tutelage of Morag Atchison. In her working life she is the manager of the after school care program at Kings Prep.
Louise has over 10 years working in Arts Management in a variety of fields. She gained a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies from Otago University before beginning her career as Stage Manager at the Fortune Theatre in Dunedin.
Moving to the UK in 2012 expanded her career with production and management roles in opera, dance, television and film.
Returning to NZ in 2016, Louise worked in production management for the animated TV series Thunderbirds Are Go!, and most recently was working with the Royal New Zealand Ballet as Operations Manager.
Louise joined Choirs Aotearoa NZ in January 2020 as Manager of NZYC and Voices NZ.
Brent Stewart is currently Orpheus Choir Wellington’s Music Director, Orchestra Wellington’s Principal Percussionist, and NZSSC’s Assistant Director. On the side, Brent also serves as NZSO’s director of filming. Brent was HoD Music at Wellington East Girls’ College from 2010-2019 and Music Director of the Hutt Valley Orchestra from 2007-2017. Coming up, Brent will be conducting Benee’s New Zealand tour with the NZSO and Auckland Philharmonia, plus the NZ Synthony tour with Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Wellington and APO. Brent is also conducting Red! with New Zealand Opera in August and preparing for a French programme with the St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra in September. Also on the calendar to conduct this year is Szymanowski’s Stabat Mater and Bach’s B Minor Mass with Orchestra Wellington and Orpheus Choir Wellington.
Susan is conductor, singer and multi-instrumentalist. She began her professional singing career in 1986 with Canterbury Opera and has performed with Queensland Opera and New Zealand Opera. Susan has sung as a soloist for many choral societies within New Zealand and Australia, touring extensively overseas with a number of ensembles.
After completing her music degree and teaching qualifications in Christchurch she studied voice at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. In Queensland she worked with the Queensland Arts Council and Opera company performing opera in schools across the state.
Susan currently works as an Itinerant Teacher of Music at Burnside High School where she teaches voice and conducts two award winning choirs. She is a past Music Director of the Jubilate Singers and the University of Canterbury Chamber Choir (Consortia).
As a chorister Susan has sung in the Jubilate Singers, The Queensland University Chamber Singers, the New Zealand Youth Choir and is a current member of Voices New Zealand.
Trustee since 2019
I have extensive experience in education that includes lecturing in pre-service teacher education, coordinating Professional Practice and the selection of teacher trainee intakes; teaching in a range of settings as a music specialist and classroom generalist in primary schools and the wider community.
Governance roles have included chairing Music Education New Zealand Aotearoa (MENZA), and the inaugural NZSM MMus Therapy post graduate programme external advisory board. Currently I am President and interim Chair for the Music Therapy New Zealand
Council (MThNZ) and have recently been a member of the Registration Board. I am the national representative for MENZA on the International Society for Music Education (ISME) Council, and a member of the Advocacy working group.
My longstanding interest in supporting emerging talent includes young singers, and I have had the privilege of Chairing the NZSSC Trust Board for ten years. I am excited by the new opportunities that merging with CANZ brings, and look forward to working on the CANZ Board to further champion and expand the scope of the national choirs.
Nicolas is currently pursuing a PhD in Bioengineering at the University of Canterbury. An active member of the Christchurch music scene, Nicolas is regularly involved with award-winning groups across choral, barbershop, opera, and contemporary a cappella genres. Nicolas is the current NZYC board representative to Choirs Aotearoa, the Manager of Quantum Acoustics chorus, and the treasurer of the Christchurch Youth Choir. In his free moments, Nicolas enjoys the storytelling of his regular Dungeons & Dragons game.
Diana Cable has 24 years’ experience in the arts sector. After 4 years as an Industrial Relations Officer in the State Services Commission, Diana turned to the arts in 1986. One year managing Wellington City Opera was followed by 10 years as a Music Producer at Radio New Zealand Concert. She then worked as an independent producer for 7 years and was appointed as Artistic Administrator of the New Zealand International Arts Festival in 2003, after working for the Festival on a contract basis from 1997.
Having managed the Lexus Song Quest (formerly Mobil) since 1990, Diana also has considerable experience working with young singers.
Diana is a member of the Board of Trustees of Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand and Chair of its Artistic Advisory Group, a member of the Wellington Creative Communities grants committee and a Past President of the New Zealand Opera Society.
Diana is an alumnus of the New Zealand Youth Choir
