We`re so proud to welcome Lewis Eady Steinway NZ to the Whakatipu Music Festival as a supporter of young musicians throughout Aotearoa. We simply couldn`t do it without you!

Several of our young performing artists were finalists in the Lewis Eady National Piano Competition.

We are so thrilled to have Dr. Karen Grylls of Choirs Aotearoa joining our artist line up this Whakatipu Music Festival.

Karen is an incredible choir director and will be holding community rehearsals offering development and coaching to the Queenstown community before our Rejoice! concert. You are invited to join and sing your heart out!

Don`t miss this incredible opportunity to learn from a celebrated artist. See you on stage or in the seats! 🎙

We’re delighted to welcome the return of Nockies Palette Wines as a 2025 Whakatipu Music Festival sponsor.

Keep an eye out for their Wine & Paint sessions happening throughout Central Otago - where exceptional wines and breathtaking views meet with a splash of creativity!

Available at all our Whakatipu Music Festival concerts.

Meet our two violists from the 2025 Whakatipu Music Festival - Tal Amoore and Yuxin Chen.

Tal Amoore is a violist born in Sydney. Now based in Aotearoa, Tal is completing his Bachelor of Music at Te Kōkī NZSM. He has performed with NZSO, NZ Opera, RNZB, and is a founding member of Antipodes Quartet - an ensemble in partnership with Chamber Music NZ, the NZ String Quartet and Adam Chamber Music Festival.

Yuxin Chen was born in China and began playing viola at age eight. Yuxin received a full scholarship from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2018 and completed her Masters in 2024 in Amsterdam. She has performed in a variety of ensembles for both chamber and orchestral music.

Read more about our artists at Keep Up With the Play link in bio.

CALLING ALL SINGERS! Sing your heart out for the 2025 Whakatipu Music Festival! 🎼

Artistic Director of Choirs Aotearoa – Dr. Karen Grylls is bringing the beauty of choral tradition to Queenstown this April for the Whakatipu Music Festival. Undergo coaching and guidance in a choral setting from Karen Grylls and Elise Bradley leading up to a mass choir performance on Easter Monday 21 April.

Featured songs include The Hallelujah Chorus, O Fortuna, and Ode to Joy. Supported by members of the National Youth Choir, you will perform alongside a live orchestra at the Queenstown Memorial Centre.

The commitment to participate is:
- Tuesday 15 April & Thursday 17 April 7:00 – 9:30pm rehearsal at Te Atamira, Frankton
- Easter Monday 21 April 11:30am – 1:00pm dress rehearsal, and concert beginning at 2:00pm at Queenstown Memorial Centre

There is a participation fee of $25. Music provided. Every performer will receive a complimentary ticket to the event and 50% off all other festival tickets!

For the uber keen – Dr Grylls is also presenting a workshop on ‘Singing in an Ensemble’ Wednesday 16 April 5:30 – 7:00pm at Te Atamira, Frankton. Cost for attendance is $10 each and registrations for attendance are needed.

To register for Rejoice! Community Choir and other workshops or festival information, visit the links in our bio.

Tāhuna/Queenstown’s Whakatipu Music Festival returns this Easter! 🎻

Weaving together New Zealand’s outstanding emerging artists, international luminaries, local performers, with grassroots music initiatives, an exhilarating weekend is ahead.

TICKETS ARE ON ON SALE NOW from eventfinda.

For full programme and information about the artists, head to our website via the link in bio.

Reliving the 2024 National String Competition and what`s next

We would like to thank our sponsors Craigs Investment Partners for their ongoing support of the Hill Family Foundation for Arts and Music and the opportunities that this provides to emerging and early career musicians.

This support helped to make possible the 2024 National String Competition.

👏 CONGRATULATIONS once again to First Prize Winner Hayden Chiu!

Image credit Phil Brooks