New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Appoints Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor

After making her debut with the ensemble in 2020, Gemma New will serve as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's (NZSO) Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor for three years, through the 2024 season.

In 2022, the NZSO's 75th anniversary year, New will conduct three back-to-back concerts in Wellington and Auckland with multi-Grammy Award-winning American violinist Hilary Hahn as part of the NZSO’s winter festival in August, followed in November by Mozart’s monumental Requiem in a program also featuring New Zealand composer John Psathas’ Seikilos.

As a senior member of the NZSO’s artistic team, New will join joins NZSO Principal Conductor in Residence Hamish McKeich, Honorary Conductor Pietari Inkinen, and Music Director Emeritus James Judd in developing the NZSO’s artistic mission and reaching new audiences.

“It has been a joy to collaborate with the NZSO these past few seasons, and I am thrilled to be joining this exceptional team that so valuably contributes to the vibrant music scene in Aotearoa, New Zealand,” New said.

“During each and every program we have performed together, I have been deeply impressed and inspired by the excellence, passion, dedication and inventiveness of the musicians and staff, and uplifted by the audience’s enthusiastic reception of our performances. I look forward to working with the NZSO in this new role and celebrating new heights together.”

In addition to this new role, New will continue to serve as the Music Director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra — the latter which was recently extended through the 2022/23 season.

A graduate of the Peabody Institute of Music and the University of Canterbury, New is the recipient of the 2021 Sir George Solti Conducting Award. She previously served as a Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) Resident Conductor, Music Director of the SLS Youth Orchestra, Associate Conductor of the New Jersey Symphony, and Conducting Fellow at Tanglewood Music Center.

"As a conductor Gemma New is astonishing, which is why she is in such demand around the world," NZSO Chief Executive Peter Biggs said. "We’re delighted that, even with her many international commitments, Gemma is determined to take up this exciting new role with the NZSO. Her knowledge and experience with some of the world’s best orchestras, along with her close ties with New Zealand orchestras, makes her invaluable in her new role with the NZSO."