Belinda was inspired to begin music at the age of ten when her parents took her to a New Zealand Symphony Orchestra concert in Palmerston North.

She heard the violins play and was mesmerised. The very next day, her mother purchased a “Skylark” violin from Beggs Music Shop.

At age fifteen, she had a transformative moment when she realised she was better suited to the viola whilst performing the first movement of Beethoven’s “Spring Sonata” for violin. Her vibrato and love of singing alto in choirs was the reason for the change of instrument.

Belinda studied viola with Vyvyan Yendoll and was a finalist in the inaugural TVNZ Young Musician’s Competition. In 1986 she was appointed Principal Viola with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra before joining the NZSO Viola Section in 1989 after a period of study in London.

Belinda considers the NZSO as her second family:

I get to play with wonderful, caring, friendly and talented musicians, and my favourite hobby is also my full-time job.

Outside of music I like to cook and garden. I play floorball throughout the year in a Sunday Social League Competition. And every Monday I join other NZSO and Orchestra Wellington musicians to play badminton, which is followed by coffee and stimulating conversation at our local Hataitai cafe!

Belinda has two sons and is married to Brenton Veitch, Principal Cellist in Orchestra Wellington.