Meet the Orchestra
Opus Orchestra is made up of many gifted musicians from New Zealand and abroad, now living in the North Island. All are actively involved in the music community as instrumental teachers and leaders in community music ensembles. We are pleased to introduce some of them to you here.
Agnes Harmath -
Principal Flute
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 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.
Agnes lives in Auckland with her husband and their three children.
Ashley Hopkins -
Prinicpal Clarinet
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.
Martin Griffiths -
Section Principal, Cello
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.
Marija Dimitrijevic -
Section Principal, Double Bass
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.”