Georgina Rees-Stevenson
Clarinet and Flute
Georgina Rees-Stevenson is a graduate of the University of Durham (BA Hons Music), Trinity College of Music (Performance Clarinet), and the University of Canterbury (PGDipTchLn).
She has played in numerous productions with Showbiz Christchurch, The Court Theatre, Enchanting Productions, NASDA, and the North Canterbury Musical Society, as well as for Blackboard Theatre and many other companies in NZ and the UK. Georgina has also played with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and as a guest performer/soloist with many local groups.
Georgina is a proud founding member of The All Girl Big Band. By day, she is a high school music teacher as HoD Woodwind for the Forte ITM unit, a teacher at the Christchurch School of Music, musical director of several big bands, conductor of the Canterbury Schools Regional Orchestra, and an administrator for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra.
Henry Nicholson
Violin
Henry Nicholson is an Ōtautahi Christchurch-based violinist, conductor and artistic director. He completed a Master of Music majoring in performance violin and conducting with Professor Mark Menzies and Associate Professor Justin DeHart at the University of Canterbury in 2023, having graduated from Burnside High School in 2017. As part of his research, Henry studied both modern and historical performance practice, as well as researching and analysing instrumental music of the early Baroque period. He studied conducting with Dr Helen Renaud and Professor Mark Menzies, and has been an active participant in the CSO Conducting Masterclass with CSO Chief Conductor Benjamin Northey.
As a conductor, Henry conducts numerous community choirs including Risingholme Singers and Canterbury Singers. He was appointed Assistant Conductor of the UC Christchurch Youth Orchestra in 2020. He took over the role of Community Choir Director from Sandra Norquay for the Christchurch Choral Festival in 2020. Henry was invited to conduct and play in ensembles at the CANZ Nelson Composers Workshop in both 2020 and 2021. He also sings, plays and occasionally conducts for the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Choir and Orchestra, also being their music administrator.
Henry’s experience playing the violin spans nearly 20 years, performing various styles with a special focus on 16-17th century experimental renaissance and baroque works, and contemporary compositions by living composers. He is often found playing with ensembles touring and performing across New Zealand. In 2024 and beyond, Henry leads performances of often newly-found experimental pieces from all time periods in concerts around New Zealand.
