Pascale Parenteau

Pascale feels strongly that giving everyone the opportunity to find their own voice through personal creativity is vitally important, so that’s what she has focused on throughout her working life.

A French-Canadian living in New Zealand since the early 90s, she holds a bachelor’s in performance (Violin) from McGill University (Montréal). Initially a freelance violinist performing with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, and Orchestra Wellington, she has been employed in arts and education management in New Zealand for over thirty years, working with Chamber Music New Zealand, the Centre for New Zealand Music (SOUNZ), and the Royal New Zealand Ballet. She was appointed as the head of the NZSO Education & Community Engagement department at the beginning of 2023.

She is the driving force behind NZSO Learn & Engage, with a particular focus on accessibility so that no-one misses out on the NZSO experience.