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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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.  

Dr Jono Palmer

Dr Jono Palmer is an Auckland-based conductor and educator. He teaches conducting and music theory at the University of Auckland, where he also directs the University Symphony Orchestra, and is Artistic Director of the Auckland Chamber Choir and Director of Choirs at Diocesan School for Girls. He is Musical Co-Director of the Aotearoa Choral Academy, working with young singers from across the country, and is actively involved in national choral leadership through Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand. Jono’s ensembles have achieved national and international success, including Gold Medals at the Grand Prix of Nations in Germany and major awards at The Big Sing. A committed advocate for new music and youth development, he holds a Doctor of Music in Choral Conducting from Indiana University.

Savannah Feyter

Savannah Feyter began her choral music journey at the age of 13,  as a member of Elise Bradley's award-winning school choir, Key Cygnetures.  She went on to sing under Dr Karen Grylls (University of Auckland Chamber Choir) and David Squire (New Zealand Youth Choir), and has performed with a number of choirs throughout the Auckland region and overseas.

Savannah is a senior lawyer specialising in tax law at Bell Gully, one of New Zealand's oldest law firms.  She balances her professional life with her life as the mother of two young children (and future choral enthusiasts).