Conducting Fellowship
Te whakawhiwhinga kaiārahi
Lior Balachness conducting the NZSO
With generous support from The Tindall Foundation’s Mary Fitzwilliam Award and Creative New Zealand, the NZSO is proud to facilitate the Conducting Fellowship Programme
Driven by the vision of NZSO Principal Conductor in Residence Hamish McKeich, with support from NZSO Music Director Emeritus James Judd, the NZSO Conducting Fellowship is our premier offering for emerging orchestral conductors. This programme provides a unique year-long association with the orchestra and bespoke opportunities to work with NZSO players, international conductors and educators.
There are three levels of engagement to best suit the needs and development of successful applicants: Fellow, Associate Fellow and Intern.
2026 Conducting Fellowship dates
Session 1: Sunday 1 February – Thursday 5 February
Session 2: Saturday 13 June – Wednesday 17 June
Session 3: Sunday 22 November – Wednesday 25 November
Hamish McKeich, NZSO Principal Conductor in Residence
Conducting is often seen, or thought of, as a dark art, random and unteachable. The opposite is true; the conductor's world of gestures, energy, inspiration and leadership have much technique to be learned.
NZSO Conducting Fellow Costa Simpson
It’s not an understatement to say that the NZSO Conducting Fellowship changed my life. It threw open the doors of my musical imagination and provided me with a rigorous opportunity to learn and develop as a conductor. This Fellowship gifted me priceless opportunities for development, experience, friendship and inspiration.
