NZSO Conducting Fellowship

Te whakawhiwhinga kaiārahi

Anne Filimoehala conducting the NZSO

With generous support from The Tindall Foundation’s Mary Fitzwilliam Award and Creative New Zealand, the NZSO is proud to facilitate the Conducting Fellowship Programme

Driven by the vision of NZSO Principal Conductor in Residence Hamish McKeich, with support from NZSO Music Director Emeritus James Judd, the NZSO Conducting Fellowship is our premier offering for emerging orchestral conductors. This programme provides a unique year-long association with the orchestra and bespoke opportunities to work with NZSO players, international conductors and educators.

There are three levels of engagement to best suit the needs and development of successful applicants: Fellow, Associate Fellow and Intern.

2025 NZSO Conducting Fellowship Information

2025 Conducting Fellowship dates

Module 1 Sunday 23 February – Thursday 27 February
Module 2 Saturday 21 June – Wednesday 25 June
Module 3 Saturday 20 September – Wednesday 24 September

Hamish McKeich, NZSO Principal Conductor in Residence

Conducting is often seen, or thought of, as a dark art, random and unteachable. The opposite is true; the conductor's world of gestures, energy, inspiration and leadership have much technique to be learned.

Costa Simpson conducting the National Youth Orchestra.

NZSO Conducting Fellow Costa Simpson

It’s not an understatement to say that the NZSO Conducting Fellowship changed my life. It threw open the doors of my musical imagination and provided me with a rigorous opportunity to learn and develop as a conductor. This Fellowship gifted me priceless opportunities for development, experience, friendship and inspiration.


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