Your Orchestra

I am a violinist born and raised in Germany where I started learning violin at age 6 and quickly found out how much I love playing in orchestras while attending orchestra camps in the school holidays every year from when I was about 11. After completing a linguistic degree at the University of Leizpig - regularly visiting Bach in the Thomaskirche! - I moved to New Zealand in 2006 and have been a part of Opus Orchestra since 2016. My day job is actually managing all my colleagues as the General Manager for the orchestra, but I am happy that I still find time to also be part of the violin section! I am currently also very involved in the local music scene in Tauranga, where I serve as concertmaster of the Bay of Plenty Symphonia. I have four kids that keep me busy and love spending as much time as possible with them.

Sarah Hart [BA, Dip Mus, M Theol, D Theol] studied violin at the Hochschule Fūr Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Wien after leaving the University of Auckland. Highlights in twenty years of life in Vienna were baroque seminars with Eduard Melkus, influenced by Josef Mertin, concerts in many different Viennese Baroque palaces and tours with Melkus’ baroque ensemble, Capella Accademica. I have worked with the Elizabethan Melbourne Trust Orchestra, Australia, several years with the Austrian Radio Orchestra, Vienna, and had the luck of an orchestra exchange with the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, Sweden, for a year in the middle of many years with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. I now greatly enjoy learning a chamber orchestra size repertoire with OPUS. In Vienna we were often encouraged to think of the violin as like the human voice and to sing the sound—the bow is like our breath.

Born near London, England, Rosana began violin at age 6 and eventually gained a diploma in violin performance from Guildhall School of music and Drama. With her second husband and 3 children Rosana emigrated to New Zealand in 1991, where she continued to teach by the Suzuki method for 30 years. She has had a very active musical life, regularly playing with several orchestras such as Bach Musica, (concert master) Piper's Sinfonia, Manukau Symphony, Opus, Bay of Plenty Sinfonia in Auckland and elsewhere, as well as the speciality baroque group, NZ Barok, which can be heard on Radio NZ.

 Rosana enjoys playing many different genres including on a few backing tracks for groups and TV ads, and events quartet, 'Ambience'. Now retired from teaching she hopes to continue playing as long as the body and brain allows!

Rachel graduated with First Class Honours in violin performance in 2017, having studied under Dr Lara Hall and Amalia Hall. She then went on to study medicine at the University of Auckland, and now works as a junior doctor in Rotorua Hospital. An absolute career highlight was as soloist in the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the New Zealand Doctors' Orchestra in 2025. While medicine is the perfect job for her, she is so thrilled to still be playing in orchestras like Opus, with such brilliant musical colleagues to such a high standard. She firmly believes music and medicine are complementary skills, and attributes her years of performance experience to remaining calm under pressure, to working well in a team, and to listening well to patients in the hospital setting.

Originally from Germany, Edith Klostermann somehow collected two Master’s degrees - one in viola performance and one in music therapy - before taking an unexpected detour into primary school teaching. She has been playing with Opus since 2007, and still believes the viola deserves at least some of the attention the violins keep stealing.

Michael grew up in Dunedin where he studied violin with Sydney Manowitz. Whilst studying conducting at the University of Otago, he lead the second violins in the Dunedin Symphony (formerly the Dunedin Sinfonia) and began playing the viola. He played viola in Orchestra Wellington for several years while pursuing a career as a free-lance conductor. Michael has played in Opus since moving to Hamilton in 2021. He has taught violin and viola for many years and is currently Music Director of St Matthew's Chamber Orchestra in Auckland and the Bay of Plenty Symphonia in Tauranga. 

Born and raised in The Netherlands, Marisha started playing cello when she was 9 years old. At the age of 12 she studied with Ran Varon at the Constantijn Huygens Conservatorium in Zwolle. She later studied with Mirel Iancovici in Maastricht who is a long time graduate student of Paul Tortelier.

Marisha knew she wanted to play cello from the age of 4, when she discovered a cassette tape with the Dvorak Cello Concerto on it, performed by Janos Starker.

After permanently moving to NZ in 2008 deciding this is where she wanted to raise her son, she is now an established teacher and freelance musician in the Bay of Plenty, mainly in Tauranga, and has been cello section leader for Bay of Plenty Symphonia for several years. Marisha joined Opus in 2022 and thoroughly enjoys the repertoire and being part of such an accomplished group of musicians. 

Dr Martin Griffiths is a cello teacher and examiner for the New Zealand Music Education Board and principal cellist of Opus Orchestra (NZ). He is a guest member of NZ Barok and Vox Baroque, and regularly appears alongside wife and harpsichordist Dr Rachael Griffiths-Hughes. Martin has performed with the Auckland Philharmonia, Auckland Chamber Orchestra, Bach Musica New Zealand, Auckland Sinfonietta, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Bay of Plenty Symphonia and the Handel Consort and Quire (Auckland). Since 2013 he has presented the music of Arnold Trowell (1887-1966) in Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington and most recently Krakow, Poland. A biographer of Katherine Mansfield, his research is published in Tinakori and the Katherine Mansfield Society Journal.

Tamsin Kreymborg is a Waikato-based cellist and teacher with an Honours degree in Music from the University of Waikato and a Master of Music from the University of Augsburg, Germany. Having spent a decade living in Germany, Tamsin has performed extensively in orchestral and chamber music settings across Europe, Asia, and New Zealand, and regularly appears with ensembles including the Auckland Philharmonia, Opus Orchestra, and OCT ensembles.

Tamsin teaches cello and double bass at St Peter’s School and holds a position as a Performance Fellow at the University of Waikato. Her teaching focuses on developing confident, thoughtful musicians with a strong technical foundation and fostering a genuine love of music. 

At home, Tamsin and her husband are raising four energetic young children and are quietly hopeful they may eventually have the makings of a string quartet — although at present the household sounds more like an exuberant free improvisation project. With more than 25 instruments scattered throughout the house, family life is rarely quiet, but is always filled with joyful music-making.

Marija graduated in Music Performance at Belgrade University of Arts, Serbia. Subsequently she worked for 5 years with the Serbian National Broadcasting Corporation Symphony Orchestra as a permanent member of the orchestra. Living in NZ since 2011, she has broadened her musical interests into education across all age groups. She has performed with Opus Orchestra, Manukau Symphony Orchestra, Pipers Symphonia and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, all over New Zealand.

Marija now lives in Auckland where she regularly performs on double bass and is a passionate teacher of string instruments.

“During Lockdown I taught students online and took the opportunity to play music in the quiet streets of the neighbourhood. I recorded music for my tango band from home and enrolled in a short film competition with my flatmates. I enjoyed acting and composing the soundtrack and even though we were disqualified because of the late submission, it was great fun.”

Agnes Harmath is a Hungarian-born freelance flute player and teacher. She was a soloist in Mozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto with Opus Orchestra in 2011, together with harpist Helen Webby.  Agnes lives in Auckland with her husband and their three children.

Agnes completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree, under the supervision of Professor Uwe Grodd and thesis supervisor Dr. Allan Badley at the University of Auckland. She has won numerous national and international awards in NZ, Italy and Australia, including first prize at the Sydney International Ensemble Competition with her flute quartet.  

During her studies Agnes was also a recipient of many scholarships including the Ministry of Education’s Top Achiever Doctoral Scholarship for 3 consecutive years. She has worked as Artist-Teacher at the University of Auckland and played as guest artist in Flute Festivals in Australia and the United States. Currently she teaches extensively as an itinerant and private teacher in Auckland schools and freelances as a player with New Zealand orchestras. She is the principal flute of Opus Orchestra, Associate Principal for Manukau Symphony Orchestra, plays as an associate member of the Auckland Philharmonia and she has also been invited to play with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.   

Anita completed her Bachelor of Music in Performance Flute at the University of Waikato before moving to Auckland, where she earned her BMus (Hons) in Musicology with First Class honours from the University of Auckland, alongside studying flute with Catherine Bowie.

Her musical journey then took her to the UK, where she completed a Masters in Performance Flute at Canterbury Christ Church University under tutor Jon Cherry.

Since returning to Aotearoa, Anita has built a vibrant career as both a performer and educator. She maintains a private teaching studio as well as teaching at several Auckland schools. Anita has performed with ensembles such as Bach Musica NZ, St Matthews Chamber Orchestra and the Manukau Symphony Orchestra and has been a member of Opus orchestra for many years, performing regularly in concerts since 2001. Anita is also a founding member of the Manawa Wind Quintet and TwoFlutes Duo.

Joy has been involved with music all her life. Coming from a musical family, she started learning piano at 4 years old and the oboe from the age of 9.
Her love for contributing to the music scene and education has been longstanding. For the past 15 years she has found various fulfilling roles from teacher & mentor to co-ordinator and administrative positions to support students and amateur musicians in their enjoyment and development.
Having previously been a Director at Forte School of Music, Joy is currently teaching young children piano and oboe at her Auckland-based music studio. “I feel like I am really helping, especially the younger age groups, to develop as human beings through music”.

Joy holds a Bachelor of Music in performance (oboe) and Diplomas in both piano and music teaching.
Joy freelances as an oboist and is currently the Principal Oboe of Manukau Symphony Orchestra and Opus Orchestra. “They call me, Oboe-Wan Kenobi”. 

Milli Manins is an Auckland based oboist who has graduated the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Music, and will be continuing her studies at The Glenn Gould School of Music in 2026. She has performed both as a soloist and as part of the oboe section with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and regularly plays for Opus Orchestra. In 2024, Milli won the University of Auckland Concerto Competition with the Mozart Oboe Concerto. When she is not working, Milli can be found practicing, tramping, or climbing.

After completing a Performance Diploma on Clarinet at Auckland University, Ashley joined the RNZN Band as solo clarinetist where he spent 13 years rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer in charge of the day-to-day musical activities of the band. During this time he developed an interest in conducting and on leaving the band took up the directorship of the Auckland Secondary Schools Orchestra for four years and conductorship of the North Shore Concert Band (six years). Other duties included playing in the highly regarded Navy Big Band on alto and bari sax.

Ashley performed for years as an associate player for the Auckland Philharmonia and has also played with the NZSO. He has played with many touring shows including "Les Mis" (twice), "West Side Story", and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" as well as visiting performers such as Shirley Bassey and Michael Crawford. Ashley has spent some time in the jazz field playing baritone saxophone for the Roger Fox Big Band. Ashley was principal clarinetist in the Auckland Chamber Orchestra for a number of years. He is principal clarinet in the Opus Chamber Orchestra and has been since 2005.

In September 2001 and May 2009, Ashley performed as a concerto soloist with the New Plymouth Orchestra. He currently lives in Central Otago with his wife Jacqui and plays occasionally with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra as well as conducting the Central Otago Regional Orchestra. 

Renee is based in the Waikato with her husband and two daughters, and works in organisational development. She performs with a range of local orchestras and ensembles, and was a member of the Royal New Zealand Navy Band earlier in her musical life. Renee also enjoys playing in musical theatre productions and being part of the shared energy of a live show.

Jessica Goldbaum is a bassoonist and educator based in Aotearoa New Zealand. A former member of the Sarajevo Philharmonic, Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, and Auckland Philharmonia, she now performs throughout New Zealand as a freelance orchestral musician, appearing regularly with orchestras and chamber ensembles around the country.

In 1979 Craig began his study on bassoon at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne under Genardy Bergaslavsky and Harold Evans. In the seventeen years spent in Melbourne, he played with some of Australia’s major orchestras including the State Orchestra of Victoria, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Australian Philharmonic and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

From 1997 to 2000 Craig was based in Kuala Lumpur where he was principal bassoon of the Kuala Lumpur Symphony Orchestra. During this time he became a founding member of the Bintang Winds and No Black Tie chamber ensembles as well as performing with the National Symphony and Malaysian Philharmonic.

In 2006 Craig was Bassoon tutor and Orchestra Manager for the Edward Said National Conservatorium of Music at Berzeit University in Jerusalem, Israel where he founded the Opus chamber ensemble.

On his return to New Zealand Craig has performed with Bach Musica New Zealand, Auckland Philharmonia, Dunedin Symphony, Christchurch Symphony, NZ Barok, Vox Baroque, The Handel Consort and The Queen’s Closet. He is co-founder of Eklekktika chamber ensemble, Whēkau Trio and Vent wind quintet and has been a soloist with the New Plymouth Symphony, Trust Waikato Symphony, Devonport Chamber Orchestra, Nelson Symphony and Opus Orchestra. Craig has played bassoon for Opus Orchestra since 2000.

Anita is an Auckland based freelance French Horn performer and brass teacher. She graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium in Brisbane with a Masters in Music Studies (French Horn) as well as The Griffith Award for Academic Excellence. She is the current Principal horn of Bach Musica (Auckland) and Opus Orchestra (Waikato) as well as other project based ensembles and freelancing with orchestras around the country.

Anita spends her days teaching horn and trumpet at eight Auckland schools and loves using holistic pedagogy help each student reach their individual potential. Especially if it means she gets to be a bit silly! In 2021 she published a book of 60 duets for French horn or trumpet ‘Duet’s from Aotearoa’.

Graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in 2019, Josh briefly worked as a freelance musician in and around London, and conducted his own orchestra. Since moving to New Zealand, he has played with various orchestras around the country, travelling from his home in Te Kuiti. Josh is also a keen arranger, writing mostly for horn ensembles of various sizes, recently having arranged the entirety of the Undertale soundtrack for a quartet.

Originally from Japan, Hiro Kobayashi performed for four years with a national under‑30 selected orchestra in Tokyo, with several performances broadcast on NHK Television. During his university years, his solo trumpet playing was featured in a Suntory Reserve Wine television advertisement.

Since moving to New Zealand in 2005, Hiro has been an active orchestral musician, performing with Opus Orchestra, Bay of Plenty Symphonia (BOPS), Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra (TWSO), and Hawke’s Bay Orchestra. As a soloist, he has appeared with BOPS performing Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto and with TWSO at the Sunset Symphony. He has presented a baroque trumpet‑and‑organ concert in Tauranga and given solo recitals in 2021 and 2023, each featuring three full concertos in a single day.

Beyond classical performance, Hiro plays with Ozi Ozaa, Third Space Covers Band, and brass bands across New Zealand and Australia. He is Musical Director of the Katikati Concert Band and has also conducted BOPS, Stage Right Trust, and Tauranga Musical Theatre.

Charlie Garcia Gil is a Waikato-based freelance performer and music teacher whose musical journey began at the age of 4 with the violin. At the age of 11, he began playing Timpani and percussion, followed by the viola at 16.

Since then, Charlie has built an active performing career across the Waikato region and beyond, appearing regularly with Opus Orchestra, OCT Ensemble, and Hamilton City Brass. He has also performed as a xylophone soloist with both the Waikato Symphony Orchestra and Hamilton City Brass.

Alongside his performing work, he teaches percussion, violin, and viola, and holds a position as a Performance Fellow at the University of Waikato. Outside of music, Charlie is studying towards a Master's in Geotechnical Engineering, and can often be found exploring the outdoors through hiking and camping.