Fiona Wilson and Jono Palmer appointed music directors of Aotearoa Choral Academy

Established three years ago, the national choral academy has already worked with more than 250 singers aged 13–25 and operates as a high-level training programme as well as a development pathway for New Zealand’s national choirs. Wilson and Palmer will share the music director role for 2026, with the option to continue beyond the initial contract.

Both conductors have previously served as Assistant Conductors with CANZ national choirs. Wilson was the inaugural Assistant Conductor in 2024 under the mentorship of Dr Karen Grylls, while Palmer served in 2025 and guest conducted Voices New Zealand on its South Island tour.

Commenting on the appointments, CANZ chief executive Arne Herrmann said, ‘We are thrilled to see that the conductor pathways we’ve been developing for our national choirs are working. Fiona and Jono also have a long history as singers with our national choirs and will be a real asset to our national choral academy.’

The Aotearoa Choral Academy will run three courses during 2026, with the first taking place in April.