Anne is a sought-after senior arts leader and creative business consultant in New Zealand.  In addition to being the Hill Family Foundation’s Executive Director, she is the former General Manager of the Auckland Philharmonia, and Auckland Writers and Readers Festival as well as the head of a private-public art gallery and NZ’s largest sculpture exhibition. Anne regularly lectures on and facilitates for creative not-for-profit strategy and management, serves on boards, is a certified family business adviser and co-authored Tomorrow’s Board Diversity:  the Role of Creatives.    

In addition to her creative work, Anne is the Manager of Dilworth’s Response Programme and is a member of the NZ Institute of Directors and the Project Management Institute. 

Violet completed a Bachelor of Arts with Film, Philosophy and Media in 2020 at Victoria University of Wellington, and has since lived in Tāmaki Makauri and Dunedin, interacting with the arts communities there. She has been a mentor for To the Front (Girls Rock Aotearoa), written as a freelance journalist for Flying Nun and facilitated a singing group and choir at Commonspace in Pōneke.  

Violet is now home with family after recently touring the USA with alternative-rock band Office Dog and can sometimes be found performing at the Blue Door in Arrowtown. 

Adrian’s recordings have been released on music labels Naxos and Atoll, as well as being broadcast on public radio stations across the globe. 

In 2023 and 2019 his work was awarded Gold, and in 2017 Silver, at the New York Festivals World’s Best Radio Program Awards for ‘Best Live Sound’. 

Adrian has worked on theatre plays by the Auckland Theatre Company, composing soundtracks and designing for many major productions. His music has also featured in short films, documentaries and commercial media in Germany, Australia and New Zealand. Adrian composed and produced the theme music for RNZ’s morning programme First Up. 

Her musical journey began with the tin whistle, which sparked her passion for music and laid the foundation for her ability to play a variety of instruments. Over time, her taste in music expanded from Irish traditional and pop to genres like dance, rock, jazz, classical and reggae are few to mention.  

Bree holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Technology and Production from LIT Limerick, along with training as a general technician at the Irish National Event Centre in Killarney. She has also worked as a Music and Cultural Facilitator in a recording studio in Gweedore, where she taught, organized classes, recorded musicians, and set up for events. 

Breege-Marie’s love for the outdoors and adventure drew her to Queenstown, where she has made a second home. She is thrilled to contribute her skills to the Whakatipu Music Festival and gain further experience by shadowing Adrian Hollay. 

Beyond school productions, Baxter extended his expertise to the wider Queenstown theatre community, volunteering with Showbiz Queenstown on School of Rock in 2022 and every year since. His commitment and adaptability were evident when he even stepped in as a performer, showcasing his versatility in the industry. 

His dedication caught the attention of the team at TomTom Productions, where he has worked for the past three years. This role has given him incredible opportunities to be involved in major events across Queenstown—an exciting and rewarding experience that far exceeded what he imagined at 14. Through TomTom, Baxter has received professional training, recently completing the latest certification in operating the GrandMA lighting board through MA University. 

Two years ago, after suffering a serious spinal injury, Baxter used his rehabilitation period to complete his pre-apprenticeship in lighting. 

Currently completing his university entrance, Baxter plans to continue working at TomTom before traveling and pursuing his dream of becoming a lighting director for a live touring show. 

Beyond performing, Petronella studied Events Marketing Management, which led her to work as an Event Programmer and Support Specialist at Ticketmaster Sweden. Her background as a performer is extremely helpful in blending with an understanding of how live events come together behind the scenes. 

Whether on stage or working behind the scenes, nothing compares to the energy of music for Petronella. “I’m always excited to take on new projects, meet inspiring people, and create unforgettable experiences.” 

She is thrilled to be part of the Whakatipu Music Festival 2025. “It’s an incredible opportunity to connect with talented musicians, embrace new experiences, and share my love for music with a new audience. I can’t wait to be involved in this amazing event!” 

Kieran is known for his professionalism, attention to detail, and calm presence under pressure. These qualities along with technical proficiencies, excellent problem-solving and collaborative skills make him a valuable member of any production team.

Beyond the stage, Kieran demonstrates strong leadership and community involvement. He was recently appointed Deputy Head Student for 2025 and has served on multiple student councils, as well as acting as a STARS Peer Mentor. He is also actively involved with volunteering in the community.

Kieran has received multiple accolades for his dedication to the arts, including the Bruce Grant Memorial Trust Scholarship and the Douglas Kano Crew Excellence Award/Scholarship and the President’s Award from Showbiz Queenstown. With a deep passion for performance and production, Kieran is excited to contribute to the Whakatipu Music Festival and further develop his craft alongside industry professionals. 

Outside of school, Hunter has broadened his horizons by volunteering with Showbiz Queenstown, working on shows like Little Shop of Horrors and Spamalot since 2023. These opportunities allowed him to learn from seasoned pros and refine his craft. His talent and drive landed him a position at TomTom Productions, where he’s spent the last year working and gaining experience at local events and festivals. 

Nearing the end of his university entrance studies, Hunter intends to stay with TomTom Productions to further hone his expertise before embarking on global adventures. Training to become a sound engineer for live touring productions and bands in the future.  

Claudia Witkowski is an event manager by profession and has organised numerous events for various clients in Germany and Austria, including award ceremonies, gala dinners, concerts and conferences.  

She studied Cultural Studies in Lüneburg and was involved in project work for Steinway & Sons and the Hamburg cultural scene. After her graduation she was responsible for event management in the Career Centre at the University of Hamburg. In addition to working with companies, she was involved in projects with start-ups and conceptualised new event formats. 

Claudia discovered classical music through her first job in a theatre and has since enjoyed visiting the world’s great concert halls on her travels. She is currently travelling in New Zealand on her working holiday visa and continues to work at various events. 

 As an actress, Nadia has explored a diverse range of roles, from classical repertoire to contemporary experimental works, always emphasizing physicality and emotional depth. As a playwright and director, she approaches stage creation with a poetic sensibility, weaving together movement, imagery, and rhythm to craft immersive narratives. Her work in voice-over further extends her storytelling abilities, bringing characters and narratives to life through spoken word. 

 In addition to her stage work, she studied violin at the Conservatory of Almería, which has deepened her understanding of the relationship between sound and dramatic expression. She has also been a drama educator in Spain and Germany, fostering creativity in students and guiding them in their exploration of theatrical language. 

 She is currently part of the stage management team at the festival, where she applies her experience in performance coordination and artistic production. 

Traveling is a huge part of Pablo’s journey. Every new place visited, every adventure embarked on, brings a fresh perspective which shapes his work. Inspiration is in the raw beauty of nature. Whether it’s the vastness of the mountains, the quiet of the sea, or the thrill of an outdoor adventure. Pablo’s style is minimalist, focusing on the simple yet powerful aspects of the world around him. “I love capturing the calm and serenity of nature, while also embracing the energy and movement of outdoor activities.” 

Constantly evolving as a photographer, Pablo is pushing himself to learn new techniques and challenge his creativity. The goal is to create images that not only showcase the beauty of the world but also connect with people on a deeper level. He believes in the power of storytelling through visuals, aiming to capture moments that are meaningful, memorable, and full of emotion. “I want my images to serve as a window into my world, inviting viewers to experience the same emotion and wonder that I felt when I captured each moment.” 

When he is not walking in the bush or at the cinema, you’ll find Jacob in the kitchen creating a culinary masterpiece with whatever’s in the pantry. As an avid traveler, Jacob sees the world through what’s on his plate and in his glass.