Austin is a countertenor, poet, translator and researcher originally from Kā Muriwai/Arrowtown who spent time growing up in Narrm/Melbourne. In 2019 he moved to Oxford to study a BA and a Masters in Medieval and Renaissance Literature and in September 2025, Austin will begin a Masters in Voice at the Royal College of Music on a full scholarship.

Austin was the 2022 winner of the Herald Sun Aria competition in Melbourne and also won the 2022 City of Kingston Aria from Grand Opera prize. In 2024, he came third in the Lexus Song Quest. In the UK his private voice studies are supported by the Isla Baring Prize from Tait Trust, and previously by the Tait White Loewenthal Memorial Prize.

Austin made his professional opera debut as Liang Shanbo in Richard Mills’ The Butterfly Lovers in Singapore 2023 and other recent roles have included Aeneas in Pepusch’s Death of Dido and the Spirit (Purcell, Dido and Aeneas). In Australia Austin has performed as a soloist with the Brandenburg Orchestra and the Evergreen Ensemble, and in the UK he has soloed with Instruments of Time and Truth, the Oxford Bach Soloists, New Chamber Opera, and the Selene Consort.

Austin has sung in masterclasses with Joyce Didonato, Laurence Cummings, James Conlon, and Emma Kirkby.

Fluent in both English and te reo Māori, Austin was the 2023 winner of takahē journal’s Monica Taylor Poetry Prize and is a Wellington Doctoral Scholar at Victoria University of Wellington where he researches the history of translation between English and Māori in Aotearoa’s song, poetry, and literature.

Damon began playing the cello shortly before his fourth birthday and is currently studying a conjoint BMus/BSc (psychology) degree at The University of Auckland under James Tennant for his cello studies.

In 2021, Damon achieved both the NZQA Top Scholar award for the highest NCEA Scholarship Music score in the country and offer of a prestigious Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship from Waikato University. In 2023, he performed as one of the Emerging Artists in Central Otago’s At the World’s Edge music festival.

Much in demand as both a soloist and ensemble musician, Damon is the Principal Cello of the Auckland Youth Orchestra (winning the AYO Concerto Competition in 2021), and Principal Cello of the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra. He also performs as a drummer for the popular heavy metal band Cyanide Altar and is a percussionist for Waitakere Brass. He plays a fine Carboni cello on generous loan to him through the Hill Family Foundation’s Instrument Bank.

20-year-old Esther Oh was born in New Zealand and is in their second year studying violin and conducting at the University of Auckland. Picking up the violin at age five after declaring the piano “too difficult”, Esther worked up to a LTCL diploma with Distinction at age 16. Esther credits Mark Bennett, Stephen Larsen and Andrew Beer as influential violin teachers and for conducting, Michael Joel and Rupert D’Cruze who are both associated with the University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music.

Esther was recently invited to participate in Orchestras Central’s Advanced Conductor’s Workshop, hosted at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts. This culminated in directing the professional OCT ensemble in Stravinsky’s Octet for Wind Instruments. Esther has also conducted the Auckland University Student Chamber Orchestra, and directed orchestra rehearsals at Diocesan School for Girls.

In June 2024, Esther was sent as the New Zealand student representative to the Pacific Alliance of Music Schools Summit, hosted by Mahidol College of Music in Thailand. This week-long exchange with conservatories around the Pacific Rim sparked an interest in the status of music education and youth development. As part of the programme, Esther performed with the Thailand Philharmonic as guest first violin, and hosted a masterclass for children from impoverished neighbourhoods in Bangkok.

Esther was concertmaster of the 2024 NZSO National Youth Orchestra. Masterclass highlights in the past 12 months include Augustin Hadelich, Anne-Sophie Mutter, and Maxim Vengerov – all made possible thanks to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Euan Safey is a New Zealand-born conductor, pianist and teacher. He is currently studying conducting with Dr Luke Dollman at the Elder Conservatorium of Music in association with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and has been accepted into the Australian Conducting Academy in 2025.

Euan initially completed a Bachelor of Music with first class Honours in Piano Performance at the University of Waikato under Katherin Austin before going on to spend two years as a New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Conducting Fellow under Hamish McKeich and James Judd.

Euan has also studied under notable New Zealand conductors Kenneth Young, Peter Walls, Michael Joel, and Peter Adams, and received tutelage from NZSO Principal conductor Gemma New and international guest conductors Miguel Harth-Bedoya, André de Ridder, Mark Wigglesworth and Alice Farnham.

Euan’s conducting engagements have included positions and performances with Opus Orchestra, NZSO National Youth Orchestra, Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra and Wind Orchestra, Adelaide Summer Orchestra, St Matthews Chamber Orchestra, Bay of Plenty Symphonia, Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra, Youth Orchestra Waikato and the University of Waikato Orchestra. He also conducted the University of Waikato’s productions of Puccini’s opera Gianni Schicchi in 2022/2023.

As a pianist, Euan is a versatile collaborator, performer, orchestral player and teacher, and is currently Assistant Chorus Master with State Opera South Australia.

New Zealand soprano Felicity Tomkins completed her Artist Diploma (Opera) at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) in the US in 2023, under the tutelage of tenor Stuart Skelton. She is currently based between Australasia and overseas in the UK/Europe.

Felicity was named the winner of the centenary 2024 Herald Sun Aria Competition with Melbourne Opera in 2024. She was also awarded first prize at another prestigious Australasia competition, the 2024 Sydney Eisteddfod Opera Scholarship, and was named winner of the 2023 Lockwood NZ Aria, and awarded third prize in the 2023 JSRB Bel Canto Award. She made her Wigmore Hall debut as a finalist in the Elizabeth Connell Prize in 2023 and was an Opera Studio Artist at the AIMS Graz programme in Austria, where she was awarded the Audience Prize in their Meistersinger Competition.

Her recent performance highlights include; Auckland Opera Studio/Manukau Symphony Orchestra (Cio-Cio-San Madama Butterfly), Cincinnati Opera (Military Wife/Soprano 1 The Knock), CCM Opera (Madame Lidoine Dialogues des Carmélites, Jeannette L’amant Anonyme, Mahler Symphony No. 4), NZ Opera (Countess Almaviva-cover Le nozze di Figaro), Festival Opera NZ (Nedda-cover Pagliacci).

Felicity was a 2021 Studio Artist with NZ Opera, and she was the DMMF Runner-Up for the 2022 Lexus Song Quest, debuting with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Felicity is an alumna of the University of Waikato (MMus/BMus(Hons)/BSc), the NZ Opera School, and the SGCNZ YSC Globe Theatre London company (2014). She has been a Circle100 Scholar, Dame Malvina Major Foundation Arts Excellence Scholar, Kiwi Music and Kia Ora Foundation Patricia Pratt Scholar, and an International Opera Awards Foundation Scholar.

Originally from Auckland, Marlon Sullivan began his tertiary studies in Wellington under Pat Barry, Principal Clarinet of the NZSO. Marlon now lives in Austria where he attends the Kunstuniversität Graz and studies with Stefan Schilling, Principal Clarinet of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Marlon has had success in numerous competitions including being a semi-finalist in the NZ National Concerto Competition 2023 and, with his Clarinet Quartet, winning four awards, including the Gold Award, at the NZCT National Chamber Competition. He was a 2023 Dean’s List Scholar at Victoria University of Wellington, awarded the Tangiwai Scholarship at Victoria University of Wellington in 2022 and named Dux Cantorum of St Peter’s College Auckland in 2021.

Marlon has performed in public masterclasses for internationally renowned clarinettists including soloist Annelien Van Wauwe, Jože Kotar, Fatima Boix (Solo Eb Finnish Radio Symphony) and Franklin Cohen (Principal Clarinet Cleveland Orchestra). He is an experienced chamber musician and his wind quintet currently studies under Marlies Gaugl, Principal Flute of the Graz Philharmonic Orchestra.

Marlon has performed as Principal Clarinettist with the NZSM Orchestra, Nelson Symphony Orchestra, Hawkes Bay Orchestra and the Auckland and Wellington Youth Orchestras. He is also a skilled Eb Clarinettist and has been selected to perform this with the Zell am See Festival Orchestra (Austria) and the Kunstuniversität Graz Classical Concert Band.

Otis Prescott-Mason is a Wellington-born pianist who began his piano studies with Erin Taylor at the age of five. He is currently studying classical performance piano at Victoria University of Wellington’s New Zealand School of Music with Dr Jian Liu.

Otis has seen numerous successes in national competitions: in 2022 he was awarded first prize, Best Performance of a Classical Sonata, and the Audience Choice Award at the Lewis Eady National Piano Competition; the same year he was awarded first prize at the PACANZ National Piano Competition; and in 2020 was awarded first prize at the New Zealand Junior Piano Competition.

Otis also enjoys chamber music and has played in many ensembles – one of which won a silver award at the 2020 NZCT Chamber Contest, and in 2021 he attended the Adam Summer School for Chamber Music in Nelson.

Otis is a grateful recipient of generous support from Professor Jack Richards, The Adam Foundation, and the Royal Over-Seas League which enabled him to perform and study in Europe and the United States of America.

Hailing from the deep south of the Aotearoa New Zealand, Reuben Brown recently completed his honours degree at Te Ko kī – New Zealand School of Music in Wellington, where he pursued his passions for orchestral conducting and euphonium performance. He is now a Conducting Fellow at Te Tira Pu oro o Aotearoa – New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, as well as the organisation’s Artistic Administrator.

Reuben made his NZSO conductor debut in 2023 with Christmas Brass at Te Papa Museum of New Zealand. He is currently Gemma New’s Assistant Conductor with the NZSO, working across the recent Jupiter concerts and returning for The Planets in November 2024. Other engagements have included touring with NZSO Tamariki Time concerts, the Manawatu Sinfonia (2022 – 2024), Dunedin Youth Brass Band (2024), St Kilda Brass Band (2023), Virtuoso Strings Orchestra (2022), Te Ko kī ensembles, and numerous Wellington ensembles. Reuben was also a finalist for the 2023/24 Australian Conducting Academy and was invited to join modules during the course.

He is a founder/conductor of Wellington’s Gallery Orchestra, performing in unique collaborations and locations, and in 2023 conducted the ensemble for a yet-to-be released album with Kiwi artist Arjuna Oakes.

Since 2019, Reuben has held a euphonium seat with NZ’s premiere Wellington Brass Band. In 2021, he became the Assistant Musical Director (under David Bremner), and recently conducted the band for an entirely NZ music programme to champion the 2024 Wellington District Contest for the second year running. This year, Reuben has also taken up a euphonium seat with the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band.

Sarah is currently in the second year of her Bachelor of Music degree at The University of Auckland, studying with Stephen Larsen. Her passion for music has led to various achievements, including a Gold award at the NZCT Chamber Music Competition in 2021, second place at the Performing Arts Competitions Association (PACANZ) National Competition in 2022 and receiving the Chiron Lewis Eady Foundation Scholarship the same year.

She also performed as a first violinist in the NZSO National Youth Orchestra in 2022 and was an Emerging Artist for the 2024 At the World’s Edge music festival in Central Otago.

Sarah has performed in masterclasses for internationally renowned artists such as Maxim Vengerov, Augustin Hadelich and Ning Feng.

Sarah plays on a violin on loan to her through the Hill Family Foundation’s Instrument Bank.

Tal Amoore’s journey as a violist commenced unusually late at the age of 15 under the guidance of Dr John Thompson and later with Gillian Ansell of the NZ String Quartet. He is currently in his final trimester of a Bachelor of Music degree at Te Kōkī – the New Zealand School of Music.

Tal has graced stages across New Zealand, performing with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, many regional orchestras as well as festivals such as Cuba Dupa, the Fringe Festival, and Classical on Cuba.

As a Rostered Artist of the Afflatus Ensemble, Tal has demonstrated his versatility as both a soloist and principal violist. He is a founding member of the Eden Quartet and has participated in the NZSQ’s Adam Summer School numerous times, and recently embarked on a recording project with a small ensemble of string players alongside London-based Arjuna Oakes and his band.

Tal has been honoured to be an APO Young Achiever and a Dame Malvina Major Ensemble Rostered Artist. He was also an Emerging Artist for the 2022 At the World’s Edge music festival in Central Otago, returning again to the festival in 2024.

Looking ahead, Tal has been accepted into the 2025 New Zealand String Quartet Fellowship Programme culminating in a Chamber Music New Zealand tour, and aims to continue his studies in London, with the hopes of forming a professional string quartet.

William Sun began his musical journey at age four receiving lessons from his mother, a piano teacher, before studying under Stephen de Pledge and Richard Mapp. He is currently a student at the University of Auckland majoring in Classical Performance on piano, where he studies under Rae de Lisle and Justin Bird.

He has achieved several notable successes, including winning first prize in two classes at the 2021 North Shore Performing Arts Competitions as well as being awarded third prize in the 2023 Margaret Doone Memorial Piano Sonata Scholarship. In 2024, he was selected as a semi-finalist in both the University of Auckland School of Music Concerto Competition and the Lewis Eady National Piano Competition.

William has taken part in masterclasses with Joyce Yang, Michael Tsalka, Daniel Lebhardt and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet.

In addition to his piano studies, he is also taking Auxiliary Performance on trumpet at the university, currently studying with Huw Dann. He demonstrates his versatility as a trumpet player in the Tian Guo Marching Band, Auckland Youth Orchestra, and University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra.

Yuxin Chen was born in Shenzhen, China, where she started playing viola at the age of eight. In 2010 she was accepted into the Shenzhen Arts school in China where she studied under Nisha Ren. Yuxin received a full scholarship from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2018, where she received lessons from Professor Louise Lansdown.

She was also awarded Leverhulme Art Scholarship in 2020. Yuxin completed her Masters degree in viola at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in 2024, where she studied under the guidance of Professor Marjolein Dispa.

Deeply passionate about both chamber and orchestral music, Yuxin has performed with a variety of ensembles and festivals. She participated in the Grafenegg Festival in 2023 and Dorset Opera Orchestra in 2022 and she is also a member of the Damsco Quartet. Yuxin joined the NSKA (Nederlandse Strijkkwartet Academie) in 2023 under the mentorship of Marc Danel.

Yuxin has participated in masterclasses led by Thomas Riebl, Martin Outram, Garth Knox, Wolfram Christ, Timothy Ridout, and Nobuko Imai, among others.