About Us
Second Violins
| Andrew Thomson | Principal Second Violin |
| David Gilling | Sub Principal |
| Janet Armstrong | Assistant Sub Principal |
| Sharyn Evans | |
| Jane Freed | |
| Elspeth Gray | |
| Andrew Kasza | |
| Dean Major | |
| Simon Miller | |
| Elizabeth Patchett | |
| Robin Perks | |
| Lucien Rizos | |
| Katherine Rowe | |
*The NZSO String Sections operate under a rotation system and are listed here alphabetically
Andrew Thomson
Principal Second Violin
Andrew has been Principal Second Violin in the NZSO since 2000. Prior to that he studied at Victoria University and attained a Masters of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He is an active Chamber musician, playing viola for Felix the Quartet and contemporary music ensemble Stroma.
Andrew’s other major interest is cricket where he is both a right arm fast bowler (with best bowling figures of 7 for 16), and a middle order batsman (with a highest score of 100 not out). His teammates have, however, noticed a marked drop in productivity since the birth of his children.
David Gilling
Sub Principal Second Violin
A member of the NZSO since 1987, David graduated from the Royal College of Music in London in 1985. He returned to New Zealand for family reasons following a period of freelancing in England. Highlights since joining the NZSO include Strauss, Bruckner and Wagner with Franz-Paul Decker, Shostakovich with Rostropovich and, more recently, the Mozart performances of Till Felner. In addition to pursuing a MMgt degree focusing on organisational aspects of a symphony orchestra, David is trying to master the distinction between caramelisation and burning in the kitchen before alienating too many of his friends. He is married to NZSO NYO Manager Pascale Parenteau.
JANET ARMSTRONG
Assistant Sub-Principal
Janet was born in Zimbabwe where she began violin and piano lessons at the age of seven. In 1984 she won a scholarship to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, UK, where she studied with Christopher Rowland (leader of the Fitzwilliam String Quartet) and Benedict Holland. After graduating in 1988, Janet freelanced with many major orchestras such as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Opera North and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, before taking up her current position of assistant sub-principal second violin in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 1991. Janet plays on a fiddle by Derazay.
Sharyn Evans
From a musical background, Sharyn started learning the violin at the age of six, making up a family quartet. She joined the NZSO trainees in 1969 and the NZSO in June 1972. Sharyn is married to Gil Evans, a trumpeter for NZSO, and they are both members of the NZSO Alumni Association Steering committee. She loves spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her Miniature Poodle. Her hobbies include painting, tapestries, jigsaws, miniature dolls’ houses, and pottering on the computer.
Jane Freed
Jane was one of the original NZSO Trainees (established in 1961). She travelled overseas for 12 years, working in Australia and the UK, and has freelanced with most British orchestras – including all BBC orchestras, RPO, LPO, and the Welsh National Opera. Jane also held a permanent position in the orchestra of the Royal Opera House – Covent Garden. Following a brief period in the USA playing in a big band for an Indian guru, Jane returned to New Zealand with her daughter. Other interests include philosophy, natural health and fitness.
Dean Major
Born and educated in Wellington, Dean joined the NZSO as a trainee violinist in 1975 and successfully auditioned in 1978 for the ‘big’ orchestra. As a trainee, he studied with the then NZSO Principal, Franco Domaneschi, having previously studied locally with Zillah Castle. In 1980 he was appointed a National Artist to the Radio NZ Concert Programme, and in 1982, son number one, Nicholas, was born. In 1987 Dean was invited to be a founding member of the NZ Chamber Orchestra (now NZSO Chamber Orchestra). In 1993 he met his wife, Rosemary Brown (Head of NZSO Sales and Client Services), and in 1998, sons number two and three, identical twins Alex and Zack were born. Dean and Rosemary still manage to enjoy food, wine, friends and rugby.
Simon Miller
Simon gained early experience of classical music through the Westpac Secondary Schools Chamber Music contest and the National Youth Orchestra, which he led in 1978–9. On leaving school he joined the NZBC Schola Musica for a year, before attending Otago University to study for a BA/BMus, completing the latter at Victoria University. During this time he worked in several regional orchestras.
Subsequently, he spent five years in Australia, undertaking postgraduate study under Jan Sedivka, and freelance work in Brisbane and Hobart with various orchestras, before joining the NZSO in 1986. Simon was a member of the NZ Chamber Orchestra for several years. In 2000–2001 after receiving the Montana Study Award, he spent 12 months on leave in London, having private lessons and completing a course in community music education at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. His violin is a Giulio Degani, which, along with his house, turned 100 in 2008!
Simon is a keen sailor and also likes to keep fit by cycling and swimming.
Elizabeth Patchett
Elizabeth started tuition on the violin at the age of five and until university enjoyed the wide variety of musical activities the scenic Waikato had to offer. On completion of her Bachelor of Music at Auckland University in 1988 Liz joined the Auckland Philharmonia, holding the position of sub-principal second violin for her last three years there. She joined the NZSO in 1994, and in 1997 received a Montana Study Award which enabled her to spend four months studying with Maciej Rakowski in London. Liz teaches violin and was a member of the NZSO Chamber Orchestra. Her violin is an old German instrument, reconditioned by Noel Sweetman, of Hamilton, New Zealand.
Robin Perks
One of the few ‘Perks’ of the profession, Robin has been a member of the Second Violins since 1975. He grew up in Christchurch, was leader of the Christchurch Youth Orchestra (the first orchestra of CSIM, which his father founded), and was also leader of the NZ National Youth Orchestra from 1964 to 1966. After spending three years at the University of Canterbury, he joined the NZSO training scheme (Schola Musica) for a year before travelling for further study in Europe. While studying in Berlin, he played in various orchestras in Germany and England in 1967–74, before returning to New Zealand. Robin is especially fond of Chamber music, Celtic, Tango, and Klezmer music.
Lucien Rizos
Lucien studied violin with Zillah Castle from the age of 8. In 1974, at the age of 20, he joined the NZSO. During his time with the orchestra he has also studied at the Bucharest Conservatorium with Cornelia Bronzetti (1977–78) and Canterbury University with Jan Tawroszewicz (1989–90).
Lucien has previously studied graphic design, and has a great interest in Art History and its surrounding subjects. He also enjoys most sports, particularly if New Zealand is doing well.
Katherine Rowe
Katherine was born and educated in Christchurch. She started playing in orchestras and chamber groups at an early age through the Christchurch School of Instrumental Music and in 1982 her trio won the Westpac Chamber music competition. She left school a year early to begin a Bachelor of Music in performance violin at the University of Canterbury under the tuition of Carl Pini, then Jan Tawroszewicz. After graduating with honours in 1986 she auditioned for casual work with the NZSO and was offered a permanent position in the second violins. She took up the position in 1987 and has been there since, apart from a one-year contract in the viola section with which she retains a casual position.
