Shannon Pittaway

Supported by JBWere

Shannon began playing the cornet at age six with guidance from his father, Wayne, and grew up playing in Salvation Army brass bands. 

One of the great things about playing in the NZSO is the colleagues in the trombone section (great sense of humour and wonderful performers).

Shannon holds a Bachelor of Music Performance from the Victorian College of the Arts and a Master of Music from Northwestern University in Chicago. 

Following his studies, he became a fellow of the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra in Japan and later with the Pacific Music Festival Alumni Orchestra, which celebrated the 20th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's inaugural concert at the festival.

Shannon is a founding member of the Australian Brass Quintet and the Australian World Orchestra. He has received numerous awards and grants, including an honorary fellowship “in recognition of his contribution and achievements in orchestral world music” from Melbourne University. 

While living in Singapore, Shannon served on the faculty of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and was a Singapore National Youth Orchestra tutor. He joined the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 2015.

I love the small town feel of Wellington. Having lived in Singapore for ten years makes you appreciate the space, beauty and low humidity!