Supported by Fehl Charitable Trust

Andrew plays a violin made by Johannes Theodorus Cuypers in 1770 purchased by the NZSO Foundation thanks to the generosity of The Estate of Margaret Doucas. 

Since 2000, Andrew has held the position of Principal Second Violin in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

As Principal Second Violin, I really am a career accompanist, and that suits me just fine. I actively hide away from any suggestion of solo playing, and I don’t need to play amazing melodies to get job satisfaction! I love being embedded in the big sounds of the brass smashing out a huge finale or just providing a soft layer of support for our fantastic woodwinds to float above – that’s my role, and I love it!

Andrew studied at Victoria University and earned a Master of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. A passionate chamber musician, he plays viola for both Felix the Quartet and the contemporary music ensemble Stroma.

Andrew performs on a Johannes Theodorus Cuypers violin from 1770, generously lent to the Orchestra by Dr. Reinhard Voss.

My goal was always to get a job in the NZSO, and achieving that at such a young age was the biggest thrill as I never wanted to play anywhere else. I love our personal connection as players and how that translates on stage. Many of us have grown up together since we were kids in the New Zealand music scene. To think we are all now performing together and doing what we love is really special. I also love how players from other parts of the world are embraced into our family. That sense of whanaungatanga binds us incredibly strongly and uniquely as a group.