Dr Karen Grylls, CNZM

Karen Grylls is Associate Professor in Choral Conducting at the University of Auckland. She conducted the New Zealand Youth Choir from 1989 to 2011, founded Voices NZ in 1998 and with the New Zealand Secondary Students’ choir now under the aegis of Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand, she is currently Artistic Director of these three internationally acclaimed national choirs.

She received an Auckland University Distinguished Teaching Award in Music (1996), and a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for her services to choral music (2023). She is also the recipient of two national citations for services to New Zealand music and was recently appointed to the Board of the NZ Choral Federation.

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Elise Bradley, MNZM

A passionate musician, award-winning conductor, and internationally respected educator, adjudicator and clinician, Elise Bradley directed the Toronto Children's Chorus for almost 15 years, and prior to that served for many years as the Head of Department Music at Westlake Girls’ High School in Auckland, New Zealand. She founded and conducted the school’s renowned treble choir, Key Cygnetures from 1991-2007, and directed the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir from 2001-2007. In January 2018 Ms. Bradley was named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM), an honour awarded in recognition of her services to Music

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Lois Chick, MNZM

Lois Chick MNZM is the current chair of the NZCCA Trust Board, being part of the original set up team. Lois is a founder of New Zealand Graduate School of Education in Christchurch - a private Teacher’s College training graduate primary and secondary teachers.

She has held many governance roles and was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education and leadership in the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours. She has a lifelong interest in choral music and is passionate about all children having opportunities to sing.

Dr Raymond Tan, CMInstD

Raymond wants to champion and support the growth of choral music and bring fresh perspectives to the board, having seen first-hand the unique benefits of Aotearoa’s choral experiences for his three boys who went on to represent New Zealand in NZSCC, NZYC and many other choirs after attending Westlake Boys High School and university.

With extensive governance experience with not-for-profit and public sector organisations, Raymond wishes to give back to the community after many years of supporting the various choral communities for over two decades. He is currently a member of the Kaipātiki Local Board and the New Zealand Choral Federation Board, a trustee of the Trusts Arena and the Auckland Committee member of the New Zealand Chinese Association.