Music as a right,
not a luxury.

Grace grew up in Auckland, where her early music education was sporadic and mostly self-taught. It was at high school, with access to free music lessons, that her passion for music developed. After exploring the trumpet, euphonium, piano and viola, she settled on the flute and went on to complete her Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the University of Auckland with Uwe Grodd, playing regularly with the St Matthew's Chamber Orchestra and Bach Musica. After taking a break to focus on her family, teaching (plus a few stints in the corporate world), Grace recently completed her Master of Music at Te Kōkī, the New Zealand School of Music, with Bridget Douglas.

Grace is now an active teacher and performer in the Wellington region. She believes that all tamariki should have access to high-quality music education, so is thrilled to be part of the Arohanui Strings+ team.

A Samoan violinist and Suzuki-trained teacher with a background in classical performance and education psychology, Hayden works to see more Pasifika and Māori faces in New Zealand's classical music scene.

Jane has played with the Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony, NZSO and Orchestra Wellington, and believes no child should be denied the chance to learn an instrument because of social or economic background.

Lindsey brings 30 years of music teaching experience and a wealth of ensemble and musicianship expertise to Arohanui Strings+. A PhD primary music specialist and clarinettist with the RNZ Air Force Band, she is passionate about helping young musicians develop their skills, confidence and enjoyment through making music together.

Miru is a violinist and violin teacher. He graduated from the New Zealand School of Music in 2023 with first-class Honours and is currently teaching at the Wellington Music Centre as well as being a Programme Leader for Arohanui Strings+.

He plays for the Hawke's Bay Orchestra and smaller ensembles including the Polish folk band, Krackerjack. Some of his favourite musical experiences have been at the Adam Summer School of Music, the NZSO National Youth Orchestra and the Wellington Youth Orchestra, where he was concertmaster in 2023.

Miru is passionate about the human-to-human connection and care that comes about through music and aims to foster those moments in all his musical work, whether it be performance, collaboration or teaching.

Shannon is Principal Bass Trombone for the NZSO; he joined in 2015 after 10 years with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and one year with the Finnish National Opera.

Teaching is an important part of his career, having been on the faculty of Singapore’s Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and now serving as Head of Wind and Brass at the New Zealand School of Music (Victoria University of Wellington). In 2024 Shannon established a brass programme in collaboration with Arohanui Strings+ and has overseen its growth and tutor development since its inception.

Shannon is a founding member of the Australian Brass Quintet and the Australian World Orchestra and has been awarded grants and fellowships from the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust and the Foundation for Young Australians, including an honorary fellowship “in recognition for his contribution and achievements in orchestral world music” from Melbourne University.

Shannon began playing the cornet at the age of six with guidance from his father, Wayne Pittaway, and grew up playing in Salvation Army brass bands. He holds a Bachelor of Music Performance from the Victorian College of the Arts and a Master of Music from Northwestern University in Chicago. Following his studies he was a fellow of the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra in Japan and later with the Pacific Music Festival Alumni Orchestra.

Tomas is a professional trumpet player and Senior Tutor at Arohanui Strings+ in Mt Cook. He is committed to growing young people’s enthusiasm for brass instruments.