Brent Stewart conducts Mana Moana.

Brent Stewart is a leading New Zealand conductor, percussionist, and pianist. This year, alongside the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, he conducted performances with the Auckland Philharmonia, Orchestra Wellington, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra, and Manukau Symphony Orchestra.

His current roles include Music Director of Orpheus Choir Wellington, Assistant Conductor and Pianist of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir, as well as Principal Percussion and Acting Section Principal Timpani of Orchestra Wellington.

A champion of New Zealand composers, Brent has premiered numerous percussion, orchestral, and choral works to critical acclaim. In 2007, he premiered Karlo Margetic's Xylophone Concerto with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. The following year, Brent recorded the same work as a soloist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Last year, he served as the assistant conductor for Claire Cowan’s Cinderella with the Royal New Zealand Ballet and as the Assistant Producer on the NZSO’s recording of her ballet, Hansel & Gretel. In 2021, Brent conducted the New Zealand premiere of Red! by New Zealand composer Lucy Mulgan, with New Zealand Opera. This year, he conducted the world premiere of Dame Gillian Whitehead’s Ngā Whetū o Matariki with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra. In 2024, Brent will conduct the premiere of a significant choral/orchestral commission in honour of the 28th Māori Battalion, composed by Takerei Komene.

Brent's diverse repertoire also includes contemporary pop collaborations, such as Synthony, a fusion of electronic dance music with a symphony orchestra. Performances took place around the country, including New Zealand’s largest music festival, Electric Avenue, and recently with Singapore’s Metropolitan Festival Orchestra on a floating platform at Marina Bay, Singapore. He also conducted Benee live with the NZSO and will lead Orchestra Wellington on Wellington’s waterfront for New Year’s Eve.

Beyond his artistic pursuits, Brent has made significant contributions to music education. Formerly the Head of Music at Wellington East Girls’ College for nine years before going freelance full-time, he continues to engage in educational projects, including workshops, mentoring, and adjudicating the New Zealand Choral Federation’s Big Sing Finale this year.

Upcoming projects for Brent include conducting Handel’s Messiah on 02 December 2023 with Orchestra Wellington and Orpheus Choir Wellington. In January 2024, he will travel to Tokyo for a season of Phantom of the Opera.