Guest artists 2025
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Grayson Masefield
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Grayson Masefield is a New Zealand born accordionist and is the first person to win World Championships in Classical, Virtuoso and Digital accordion categories. He is the Instrumental Music Teacher for Accordion at the University of Auckland, New Zealand and is the founder of AOTANGO. He has completed a Master in Specialised Music Performance at HEMU Lausanne, Switzerland with Stephane Chapuis, and a Masters of Studio Pedagogy from the University of Auckland.
Grayson is regularly invited to adjudicate and/or appear as Guest Artist at international competitions he has previously won, CIA in Italy, China & Russia, CMA in USA & Portugal, Primus Ikaalinen in Finland and Roland International in Rome. At the 2010 Coupe Mondiale, Varaždin, Croatia, Grayson was elected to the prestigious Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) IMC - UNESCO Music Committee and today is Vice-Chairman of the Music Committee. Over the years, Grayson has been invited to perform in many countries including France, Spain, Germany, UK, Portugal, Slovakia, Italy, USA, Canada, Russia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Portugal, China, Switzerland, Chile, Czech Republic, Singapore, South Korea, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, Finland.
Grayson plays in many ensembles, in classical and contemporary styles and has been a soloist with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra (USA), the Orquesta Sinfonica de Chile (Santiago & Frutillar, Chile), the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne (Switzerland), Berliner Kammerorchester at the Chamber Music Hall of the Berlin Philharmonie (Germany), Civic Orchestra of Victoria (Canada), Calabrian Philharmonic Orchestra (Italy) and with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (New Zealand).
He has worked with several of the world's leading composers such as Frank Angelis (France), Gorka Hermosa (Spain), Petri Makkonen (Finland) and with Gary Daverne, Ross Harris & David Mason (New Zealand) to perform and record new original works for the accordion.
Grayson is regularly invited to adjudicate and/or appear as Guest Artist at international competitions he has previously won, CIA in Italy, China & Russia, CMA in USA & Portugal, Primus Ikaalinen in Finland and Roland International in Rome. At the 2010 Coupe Mondiale, Varaždin, Croatia, Grayson was elected to the prestigious Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) IMC - UNESCO Music Committee and today is Vice-Chairman of the Music Committee. Over the years, Grayson has been invited to perform in many countries including France, Spain, Germany, UK, Portugal, Slovakia, Italy, USA, Canada, Russia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Portugal, China, Switzerland, Chile, Czech Republic, Singapore, South Korea, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, Finland.
Grayson plays in many ensembles, in classical and contemporary styles and has been a soloist with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra (USA), the Orquesta Sinfonica de Chile (Santiago & Frutillar, Chile), the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne (Switzerland), Berliner Kammerorchester at the Chamber Music Hall of the Berlin Philharmonie (Germany), Civic Orchestra of Victoria (Canada), Calabrian Philharmonic Orchestra (Italy) and with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (New Zealand).
He has worked with several of the world's leading composers such as Frank Angelis (France), Gorka Hermosa (Spain), Petri Makkonen (Finland) and with Gary Daverne, Ross Harris & David Mason (New Zealand) to perform and record new original works for the accordion.
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Peter CLARK
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Violinist Peter Clark was honoured to join the New Zealand String Quartet in 2024. Prior to his appointment, Peter divided his time between New York City and Australia, combining his passions for chamber music, directing orchestras, and advocating for the central role of music in society.
Peter came to the NZSQ from his tenure as Principal Violin of Omega Ensemble, widely regarded as “Australia’s most exciting and forward-thinking chamber music ensemble” (Limelight Magazine). Positions previously held include first violinist of the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Inspire Quartet, and core member of Melbourne’s Inventi Ensemble.
As concertmaster, Peter has performed with New Zealand Opera, Sydney Chamber Opera, Victoria Opera, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Darwin Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra Wellington. He has appeared as Associate Concertmaster of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and Principal Second of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Dublin. He has toured with the Australian World Orchestra, and his first performance in Carnegie Hall was with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, at the age of twenty.
Peter is passionate about the intersection of the highest artistry with music’s potential as a force for good. His commitment to arts access has led him to perform in more than 130 regional towns and cities across Australia, as well as to develop a beloved music program at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, through his work as leader of the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Inspire Quartet.
In the field of musical advocacy and education, Peter has developed a reputation as one of Australia’s most sought-after speakers, presenting for ensembles and orchestras around the world, with audiences ranging from young school students, through to Australian Prime Ministers. His recent work includes delivering the late Richard Gill’s 2023 Voyage of Musical Discovery series in concerts all across Australia.
Peter’s research on social innovation and cohesion through music is generously supported by Judith Neilson AM, and the General Sir John Monash Foundation. He has also completed an MBA in Arts Innovation, with the generous support of the American Australian Association.
Peter plays a fine 1784 Lorenzo Storioni violin, kindly loaned by Mr David Duncan Craig, as trustee of the Lily Duncan Trust.
Peter came to the NZSQ from his tenure as Principal Violin of Omega Ensemble, widely regarded as “Australia’s most exciting and forward-thinking chamber music ensemble” (Limelight Magazine). Positions previously held include first violinist of the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Inspire Quartet, and core member of Melbourne’s Inventi Ensemble.
As concertmaster, Peter has performed with New Zealand Opera, Sydney Chamber Opera, Victoria Opera, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Darwin Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra Wellington. He has appeared as Associate Concertmaster of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and Principal Second of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Dublin. He has toured with the Australian World Orchestra, and his first performance in Carnegie Hall was with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, at the age of twenty.
Peter is passionate about the intersection of the highest artistry with music’s potential as a force for good. His commitment to arts access has led him to perform in more than 130 regional towns and cities across Australia, as well as to develop a beloved music program at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, through his work as leader of the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Inspire Quartet.
In the field of musical advocacy and education, Peter has developed a reputation as one of Australia’s most sought-after speakers, presenting for ensembles and orchestras around the world, with audiences ranging from young school students, through to Australian Prime Ministers. His recent work includes delivering the late Richard Gill’s 2023 Voyage of Musical Discovery series in concerts all across Australia.
Peter’s research on social innovation and cohesion through music is generously supported by Judith Neilson AM, and the General Sir John Monash Foundation. He has also completed an MBA in Arts Innovation, with the generous support of the American Australian Association.
Peter plays a fine 1784 Lorenzo Storioni violin, kindly loaned by Mr David Duncan Craig, as trustee of the Lily Duncan Trust.
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Lara hall
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Leading NZ violinist, Lara began performing as a soloist around New Zealand at a young age. Her chamber groups won the New Zealand National Schools Chamber Music Competition when she was 15 and 16, by which stage she already had extensive experience performing as a chamber musician and soloist. Lara has gone on to become recognised nationally and internationally as a vibrant and virtuosic performer - in demand as soloist, orchestral concert-master, chamber musician and baroque specialist. Lara studied extensively in the USA, starting in the Dorothy Delay studio at the Aspen Summer School. She then gained her Masters and Doctoral degrees at the University of Michigan studying with world-renowned teacher Paul Kantor.
While her work as chamber musician and baroque period instrumentalist are two very different aspects of her work, one of her CDs (Telemann’s Fantasias for solo violin) deliberately sets out to demonstrate stylistic influence that modern violin performance can take from the period instrument movement. Concertmaster of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty’s Opus Orchestra since 2006, Lara has led numerous other orchestras including the National Youth Orchestra, the Auckland Chamber Orchestra, and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
While her work as chamber musician and baroque period instrumentalist are two very different aspects of her work, one of her CDs (Telemann’s Fantasias for solo violin) deliberately sets out to demonstrate stylistic influence that modern violin performance can take from the period instrument movement. Concertmaster of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty’s Opus Orchestra since 2006, Lara has led numerous other orchestras including the National Youth Orchestra, the Auckland Chamber Orchestra, and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
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robert ashworth
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Robert is the Principal viola of the Auckland Philharmonia, having arrived from Canada to New Zealand shores in 2003.
He has been guest-principal viola for the Melbourne Symphony, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, as well as assistant-principal for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
He is violist with the Jade String Quartet in Auckland, and also plays with the Australian World Orchestra.
Robert is a twice recipient of the Canada Council for the Arts Award for Emerging Artists and has performed with various groups at international chamber music festivals in Europe, North America, and Japan. He has had the honour to study with violists Thomas Riebl and Veronika Hagen at the Universitaet Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria and with Gerald Stanick at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
He has been guest-principal viola for the Melbourne Symphony, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, as well as assistant-principal for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
He is violist with the Jade String Quartet in Auckland, and also plays with the Australian World Orchestra.
Robert is a twice recipient of the Canada Council for the Arts Award for Emerging Artists and has performed with various groups at international chamber music festivals in Europe, North America, and Japan. He has had the honour to study with violists Thomas Riebl and Veronika Hagen at the Universitaet Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria and with Gerald Stanick at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
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Callum hall
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Callum holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts from Michigan State University, where he studied with Suren Bagratuni. While at MSU Callum was a teaching assistant to Professor Bagratuni and principal cellist of the MSU Symphony Orchestra.
Callum has taken part in masterclasses with Gautier Capucon, Alexander Ivashkin, Laurence Lesser, Leslie Parnas, and Thorlief Thedeen.
In 2014 Callum toured for Chamber Music New Zealand as a member of the Rangitoto Piano Trio, which was recorded live in concert for broadcast on Radio New Zealand, and he recently recorded the six Michl bassoon quartets for Atoll Records with his two sisters and bassoonist Ben Hoadley.
Callum teaches for the Pettman National Junior Academy of Music in Auckland and is a contract member of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. He has also played regularly in orchestras such as the Auckland Chamber Orchestra, Opus Chamber Orchestra, Jackson Symphony, Lansing Symphony and the West Michigan Symphony.
Callum has taken part in masterclasses with Gautier Capucon, Alexander Ivashkin, Laurence Lesser, Leslie Parnas, and Thorlief Thedeen.
In 2014 Callum toured for Chamber Music New Zealand as a member of the Rangitoto Piano Trio, which was recorded live in concert for broadcast on Radio New Zealand, and he recently recorded the six Michl bassoon quartets for Atoll Records with his two sisters and bassoonist Ben Hoadley.
Callum teaches for the Pettman National Junior Academy of Music in Auckland and is a contract member of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. He has also played regularly in orchestras such as the Auckland Chamber Orchestra, Opus Chamber Orchestra, Jackson Symphony, Lansing Symphony and the West Michigan Symphony.
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JESBERY HARTONO
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Jesbery Hartono-Hall is a passionate musician who enjoys sharing her love of music through performing as well as teaching the next generation of young musicians.
As an orchestral musician, Jesbery has performed as Assistant Principal cello with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. She also performs with the Auckland Chamber Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and has worked with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Bach Musica NZ, Orchestra Wellington and Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra.
Jesbery holds a Master of Music with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland. Upon graduating from the University of Auckland, she was the recipient of scholarships and funding such as the Anne Bellam and Wallace Foundation to further her studies in Europe.
She has played in prestigious venues and festivals around Europe, including the Berlin Konzerthaus and Predjama Castle in Slovenia. Upcoming concerts in 2025 include a tour to Croatia with the Kralj Tomislav Folklore Ensemble, invited by the Croatian Government.
Jesbery teaches cello at Epsom Music School and is regularly invited to perform and coach at RimuFest. She also runs a private cello studio in which all students who have sat ABRSM grade exams received Distinction.
As an orchestral musician, Jesbery has performed as Assistant Principal cello with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. She also performs with the Auckland Chamber Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and has worked with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Bach Musica NZ, Orchestra Wellington and Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra.
Jesbery holds a Master of Music with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland. Upon graduating from the University of Auckland, she was the recipient of scholarships and funding such as the Anne Bellam and Wallace Foundation to further her studies in Europe.
She has played in prestigious venues and festivals around Europe, including the Berlin Konzerthaus and Predjama Castle in Slovenia. Upcoming concerts in 2025 include a tour to Croatia with the Kralj Tomislav Folklore Ensemble, invited by the Croatian Government.
Jesbery teaches cello at Epsom Music School and is regularly invited to perform and coach at RimuFest. She also runs a private cello studio in which all students who have sat ABRSM grade exams received Distinction.