Diana Cable has 24 years’ experience in the arts sector. After 4 years as an Industrial Relations Officer in the State Services Commission, Diana turned to the arts in 1986. One year managing Wellington City Opera was followed by 10 years as a Music Producer at Radio New Zealand Concert. She then worked as an independent producer for 7 years and was appointed as Artistic Administrator of the New Zealand International Arts Festival in 2003, after working for the Festival on a contract basis from 1997.

Having managed the Lexus Song Quest (formerly Mobil) since 1990, Diana also has considerable experience working with young singers.

Diana is a member of the Board of Trustees of Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand and Chair of its Artistic Advisory Group, a member of the Wellington Creative Communities grants committee and a Past President of the New Zealand Opera Society.

Diana is an alumnus of the New Zealand Youth Choir.

Horomona Horo, with extensive experience in overseas performance, includes on his list of activities; playing beside the Weimaraer Staatskapelle Orchestra, touring Italy with Canti Māori opera and performing as a guest artist at the Battle of Passchendaele 90th Commemorations in Belgium. Collaborations with other musicians is an opportunity that is always welcomed with excitement by Horomona. Mentored by tohunga (experts) of taonga puoro, Dr Hirini Melbourne and Dr Richard Nunns, Horomona combines natural talent with a drive for excellence while still retaining his humility, someone who can play sweet soulful music and can command a fully attentive audience through faultless use of taonga puoro, lyrics and quick wit.

Catrin Johnsson, mezzo soprano, was born in Sweden and trained at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm and at the Royal Academy of Music, London. In 2018 she was awarded an ARAM. Other awards include the prestigious Christina Nilsson Award. She has worked as a principal artist for companies such as English National Opera and Opera Holland Park and in 2016 Catrin made her debut for NZ Opera in their production of the The Magic Flute as Second Lady. In concert she has performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and St John’s, Smith Square in London. Catrin is a Performance Teacher in Voice and Stagecraft at the University of Auckland, is language and vocal coach for Voices NZ Chamber Choir and the Auckland Chamber Choir and is Principal of Faculty and Curriculum for the New Zealand Singing School. In 2017, Catrin was National Adjudicator for the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition. Catrin is also an accomplished organist who began her professional career at the age of 15 years.

DMA, DipRAM, PGDip(Perf), BMus(Hons), LRAM

Dr Morag Atchison is one of New Zealand’s leading sopranos and pedagogues. She studied at the University of Auckland and Royal Academy of Music (London), and was a finalist in the Kathleen Ferrier and Royal Over-Seas League competitions. Her operatic roles include Helmwige, Die Walküre (NZSO); Lady-in-waiting, Macbeth; First Lady, Magic Flute (NBR NZ Opera); Fourth Maid, Elektra (APO); Blumenmädchen, Parsifal (NZSO), and Tosca (cover) for NZ Opera. Morag works regularly with all of New Zealand’s major orchestras and choral societies, and has performed as a soloist in Canada, the USA, Italy, The Netherlands, France, Kenya, Seychelles, and throughout the UK. Recent highlights include Britten War Requiem with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Carmina Burana with the Christchurch City Choir, Verdi Requiem with Bach Musica, Pierrot Lunaire for the University of Auckland, and recitals for Chamber Music New Zealand with Catrin Johnsson and Rachel Fuller. Morag is also a member of the national chamber choir, Voices New Zealand.

Morag is a Lecturer in Voice at the University of Auckland, and is a vocal tutor for the highly acclaimed NZ Youth Choir, University of Auckland Chamber Choir, Choralation from Westlake Girls’ and Boys’ High Schools, and is on staff at the NZ Singing School. This year Morag will be presenting lectures at the World Choral Symposium in Barcelona (with Assoc Prof Karen Grylls), and at the International Congress of Voice Teachers in Stockholm.

Arne Herrmann has worked for over 20 years in Arts and Festival Management in New Zealand.

He held senior management positions at New Zealand Festival, Auckland Arts Festival, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, UNITEC School of Performing and Screen Arts and the contemporary dance company The Human Garden. Arne was the Festival Director of the National Jazz Festival and Garden&ArtFest in Tauranga. His work also included the Lexus SongQuest, Michael Hill International Violin Competition and National Youth Jazz Competition.

As freelance consultant Arne’s clients included the New Zealand Opera, Indian Ink Theatre, Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival and the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival.

Arne Herrmann took up the role as Chief Executive of Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand in May 2016.