No items found.
Skip Navigation
For Young Musicians
/
Master of Fine Arts

Master of Fine Arts

Master of Fine Arts

Train as a performer inside the orchestra you're aspiring to join.

The Master of Fine Arts in Orchestral Studies is a 12-month programme from Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington, delivered in partnership with the NZSO. 



Alongside advanced performance training, students complete a hands on internship with the orchestra and receive direct mentoring from NZSO players, graduating not just as performers but as critical thinkers ready to lead in the arts.

Enrolments close on 01 December.

Applications for the Deane Orchestral Studies Scholarships close on 01 November.

Programme details

If you want to enrol in this programme, but don’t meet some of the entry requirements, contact us to discuss your options.



education@nzso.co.nz

Apply at wgtn.ac.nz/mfa, and choose the Music/Sound major of the MFA(CP) with these 6 courses:

  • ARTS 401 Creativity (15pts, Tri 1)
  • ARTS 402 Arts Management for Artists (15pts, Tri 1)
  • PERF 402 Classical Performance Recital (30pts, Full-Year)
  • NZSM 496 Independent Project (30pts, Tri 2)*
  • ARTS 490 Internship (30pts, Full-Year)**
  • NZSM 590 Creative Project (60pts, Full-Year)***

* This course will be used as a placeholder for a new Orchestral Audition Preparation course

** Although running full-year, the majority of the internship will occur in Trimester 2

*** Although running full-year, the majority of the creative project will occur in Trimester 3 (summer trimester)  Before you enrol, you’ll need to have:

  • completed an undergraduate degree in Classical Performance with excellent grades, or have equivalent professional experience
  • a CV, two letters of reference and audition recordings (contact us for audition repertoire details)

If you want to enrol in this programme, but don’t meet some of the entry requirements, contact us to discuss your options. Enrolments close on 01 December.

Apply at VUW

Scholarships

2026 National Youth Orchestra

Two full-fees scholarships worth $15,000 each— the Deane Orchestral Studies Scholarships—will be offered to help support New Zealand students applying for the Orchestral Studies programme.

These scholarships should be applied for separately by 01 November, and you will need to have completed your application for the MFA(CP) by the same date.

Apply at VUW

“The NZSO and NZSM Te Kōkī created the MFA(CP) in Orchestral Studies to equip students for professional orchestral careers through exceptional tuition and performance opportunities. I look forward to celebrating the achievements of these talented graduates.”

– Gemma New, NZSO Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor

FAQ

Please contact the following departments based on your needs:

Dr Thomas Voyce, MFA (CP) Programme Director

thomas.voyce@vuw.ac.nz


All string enquires:

Dr Martin Riseley, Head of Strings

martin.riseley@vuw.ac.nz


All wind & brass enquires:

Shannon Pittaway, Head of Wind & Brass

shannon.pittaway@vuw.ac.nz


All other instruments:

Dr Jian Liu, Head of Classical Performance

jian.liu@vuw.ac.nz

The programme is open to outstanding students who have completed an undergraduate degree in Classical Performance on an orchestral instrument with excellent grades, or who have equivalent professional experience. Applicants will also need to provide a CV, two letters of reference and audition recordings.

The programme is 12 months of full-time study, starting in February each year and completed over three trimesters. The Orchestral Studies stream is taught at Te Herenga Waka— Victoria University of Wellington.

Related Programmes

Learn More
NZSO National Youth Orchestra
NZSO National Youth Orchestra

NZSO National Youth Orchestra

Provides aspiring musicians the experience of playing in a full-strength symphony orchestra
This is some text inside of a div block.
Learn More
NZSO Emerging Artists
NZSO Emerging Artists

NZSO Emerging Artists

Provides a fantastic opportunity for school students to perform with the NZSO
This is some text inside of a div block.
Learn More
Master of Fine Arts
Master of Fine Arts

Master of Fine Arts

This industry-focused degree includes a performance internship with the NZSO
This is some text inside of a div block.

Master of Fine Arts

Master of Fine Arts interns

Althea James Flute

Born in Christchurch, Althea James is now a Wellington based flautist who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Classical Performance at the New Zealand School of Music. She is now continuing her studies with a Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice) in Orchestral Studies with the Deane Orchestral Studies Scholarship. She is currently studying with NZSO Principal Flute, Bridget Douglas and had previously studied with NZSO Associate Principal Flute, Kirstin Eade during her undergraduate studies. During Althea’s time at university, she has performed as both Co-Principal Flute and Principal Piccolo with the NZSO National Youth Orchestra. She has also performed with Orchestra Wellington, National Youth Opera Aotearoa, Wellington Youth Orchestra and Christchurch Youth Orchestra. While at NZSM, Althea has had the opportunity to perform in masterclasses with world renowned flautists, Emily Beynon and Joshua Batty. Althea hopes to continue her passion for the flute in the orchestral repertoire through her next years of experience.

Amy Laithwaite Trombone

Amy Laithwaite is a Wellington-based trombonist originally from Auckland, New Zealand. Amy completed a conjoint Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Science in Classical Trombone Performance and Statistics at the University of Auckland before moving to Wellington in 2025 to undertake a Bachelor of Music with Honours at the New Zealand School of Music, studying with NZSO musicians Shannon Pittaway and Matthew Allison. In 2026, Amy is study for a Master of Fine Arts in Orchestral Studies under NZSO Principal Trombonist David Bremner and Principal Bass Trombonist Shannon Pittaway.

Amy performs across a range of musical settings, with particular experience in orchestral and brass band performance. In the brass band community, Amy served as Principal Trombone of the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand in 2025, having been a member since 2023 and part of the band’s “Section of the Year” in 2024. Amy is also an active member of Hutt City Brass and enjoys attending the New Zealand National Brass Band Championships. Orchestrally, Amy served as Associate Principal Trombone of the NZSO National Youth Orchestra in 2024 and held the position of Principal Trombone with the Auckland Youth Orchestra. Throughout her university studies, Amy has performed in a wide range of ensembles including orchestra, symphonic winds, brass ensemble, big band, and trombone quartets, demonstrating versatility across multiple musical styles.

Lena Krakowiak Trumpet

Lena Krakowiak is a classically trained trumpet player based in Wellington. Born and raised in Christchurch, Lena began playing the trumpet at the age of 8, and her love for music has grown into a passionate pursuit of a professional career. After completing her Bachelor of Music at the New Zealand School of Music in 2025, she is currently working towards a Master of Fine Arts, where she has the privilege of interning at the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Lena plays trumpet in the Wellington Youth Orchestra and also regularly performs with Orchestra Wellington. Her past ensemble experience includes the New Zealand Youth Opera Orchestra, Christchurch Youth Orchestra and the Nelson Symphony Orchestra. Most recently, she served as Associate Principal Trumpet in the NZSO National Youth Orchestra and was also a finalist in the NZSM Concerto Competition last year.

Within the past year, Lena has been a recipient of the Dean’s Orchestral Studies Scholarship and the Graduate Women’s Ella C Wilson Music award. Lena is committed to continuing her growth as a musician, and she continually seeks opportunities to perform, collaborate, and inspire through music.

‍