Hi, I’m Sophie Li and I am 11 years old. I’ve been learning double bass for 3 years and playing in HSM Symphony Orchestras and Concert Band for two years. I love playing double bass because I enjoy the deep and rich sound that immerses me in the world of music. Besides double bass, I play drums and piano as I have a passion for Classical and Jazz music. When I’m not playing, I like playing sports and playing with my pets.

Rostislava (Ronnie) Pankova-Karadjova is a bilingual writer, musicologist and choir conductor. She holds a Master of Creative Writing degree from the University of Auckland. Her first poetry book was published in her native Bulgaria and since 2016, when Ronnie started writing creatively in English, her short stories have been shortlisted in the UK Writing Magazine, awarded and published online and in print. Recently, Ronnie completed her novel In Focus and dived into her new project The Stories Music Tell Me rostislava.substack.com

When she doesn’t write, Ronnie teaches music, reads and plays with her cat.

Derek Chan, a music educator and performer from Shanghai, China, began violin studies with his father, Ping-wing Chan. He graduated from the University of Auckland’s School of Music, where he was mentored by Dr. Karen Grylls in conducting, and later advanced his studies at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.

Influenced by mentors like Professor Ding Zhi-nuo and Benedict Cruft, Derek is now pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Auckland, specializing in violin pedagogy under Dr. Graham McPhail.

Celina Reyes is an accomplished Argentine musician with over 20 years of experience. She co-founded the Xantara String Quartet. Now in New Zealand, she performs with Bach Musica, Pipers Sinfonia, and founded the Latino Strings ensemble. She served as the Principal Viola of the Manukau Symphony Orchestra. As a teacher, Celina adapts her lessons to students' needs, with experience in Argentina’s Sistema programme and at several New Zealand schools.

Tracy Ma is an accomplished clarinetist with a Master of Music from the University of Auckland, where she studied with Dr. Marie Ross and Jonathan Cohen, principal clarinet of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. She was awarded the Ken Wilson Prize Clarinet Scholarship. Since moving to New Zealand in 2011, Tracy has performed with several orchestras and currently teaches at ACG Parnell College and Blockhouse Bay School of Music, where her students achieve excellent results in grade exams.

Harrison has been playing the harp for seven years, having started his musical journey with the cello and piano. He holds a Bachelor of Music Performance with Honours from the University of Auckland. Throughout his career, he has performed with various ensembles and orchestras across genres such as jazz, classical, and pop. Harrison believes that a strong foundation is essential for students to become versatile musicians capable of adapting to any style. Outside of music, he enjoys reading, ice skating, and spending time at the beach.

With over 20 years of oboe experience in orchestras, Vanessa has held all positions, including 1st, 2nd, and cor anglais. As a founding member of Wairua Sinfonietta, she frequently performs with various orchestras in the community. Passionate about the oboe, Vanessa says “there’s no feeling quite like being part of an orchestra. It’s a very particular blend of focus and emotion, and an opportunity to be a part of something larger than myself. Seeing audiences react to what we do is very special.”

British violinist Rachel Mullin earned her Bachelor of Music and Master’s degrees from the University of Sheffield, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Violin Performance from the Royal Northern College of Music. She spent ten years as the Upper Strings Tutor at Abu Dhabi's prestigious British School and served as Principal Second Violin in the UAENSO. Later, she tutored and conducted the Muscat Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Oman. After relocating to Dunedin in 2019, she became a Principal player with the DSO and managed their Academy. Since moving to Auckland in 2023, she taught Music at St Cuthbert's and now serves as Assistant Head of Music at King's School, while regularly performing with various orchestras in the region.

Jacob Fraser is a brass musician and educator who whakapapas to Mataraua up north just outside of Kaikohe. Although his main instrument is French Horn, he has lots of experience playing Trumpet, Trombone, and Euphonium for Orchestras, Pit -Orchestras, Brass Bands, and Wind Bands.

Currently, he teaches and performs regularly across Tāmaki Makaurau and enjoys every opportunity to make music.