THANK YOU FOR JOINING US QUEENSTOWN!

We had a wonderful Easter weekend with the 2025 WHAKATIPU MUSIC FESTIVAL

Weaving together New Zealand’s outstanding emerging artists and international luminaries with local performers, the Whakatipu Music Festival delivered an exhilarating event for every taste and ability. Six incredible events took place, with a week of mentorship for our young artists. Private concerts and music workshops for students of all walks of life were held, not to mention involving the community in a mass choir for our final performance! What a spectacular week.

The 2025 Whakatipu Music Festival showcases extraordinary music from international guests, Aotearoa’s leading musicians, emerging artists, and local talent. Brought to life by a local workforce, the festival supports and stimulates the arts, cultural and events scene in the Queenstown region.

In 2025 we partnered with Choirs Aotearoa, injecting a choral and conducting focus to our sparkling programme.

The Whakatipu Music Festival is held every two years – we will be back in 2027!

  • Reuben Brown, Ivan Zhang and Euan Safey
  • Whakatipu Music Festival 2025 Artists
  • Final Rejoice! Community Choir performance
  • string quartet with countertenor Austin Haynes
  • Ivan Zhang, Austin Haynes, Mark Bobb and Felicity Tomkins perform Cabaret!
  • Samuel Coleride-Taylor quintet
  • Young Artist Choir conducted by Euan Safey
  • Turn Up The Music Students Queenstown
  • Festival artists Stephen De Pledge, Ioana Cristina Goicea, Julian Smiles and Marlon Sullivan.
  • Damon Herlihy-O'Brien at Starkwhite
  • Yuxin Chen (viola), Otis Prescott-Mason (piano) and Marlon Sullivan (clarinet)
  • Conductor Euan Safey
  • Rejoice Community Choir members
  • Sarah Lee (violin) with pianist Bernadette Harvey

WATCH ALL OF OUR CONCERTS THANKS TO RNZ ON WHAKATIPU MUSIC FESTIVAL YOUTUBE

 

The Festival Comprises of Three Interconnecting Parts

High-Performance Artists

Performances and teaching from world-class New Zealand musicians and a week-long Showcase and Career Development Young Artist Programme for 12 exceptional NZ musicians (age 18-26, selected through national audition with programme consideration for singers and conductors up to age 30).

Community Opportunities

Workshops, professional development and performance showcase for Central Otago-based professionals, music teachers, students, and ensembles.

Training Ground

Paid roles on offer in Festival production, targeting Central Otago-based early career practitioners.

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