Orchestra Wellington Appoints New General Manager

Orchestra Wellington Appoints New General Manager

Kirsten Mason has been selected as the new General Manager of Orchestra Wellington.

Kirsten comes to Orchestra Wellington with a wealth of experience in the arts sector both here and overseas.

A graduate of Victoria University, her previous roles include Director of Development for the Chamber Music Society of Detroit, General Manager of Streetwise Opera, London, and Head of Professional Development for Arts & Business London, a national organisation delivering professional development programmes to arts and business clients.

Kirsten’s knowledge of the music sector both in New Zealand and overseas is one of her great strengths, as is her proven practical experience of fundraising, audience building, and relating to the complex funding landscape of government, corporate sponsors and private foundations.

Kirsten’s ability to articulate a vision and turn it into reality is demonstrated by her successful creation of the New Zealand Music Festival Shanghai, a signal achievement in the turbulent Chinese performing arts market.

Able to speak English, French, Italian and Mandarin, Kirsten’s initiatives have included China tours by performers as diverse as French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and the Patea Maori Club, as well as NZTrio, Strike percussion and New Zealand pianists Stephen de Pledge and John Chen.

Since returning to Wellington last year Kirsten has been the Development Manager for Chamber Music New Zealand.

Chamber Music New Zealand chief executive, Peter Walls, said, “We are sorry to be losing Kirsten but recognise that the General Manager’s role is a step up for her. All of us at CMNZ wish her well in this new position.”

Chair of the Orchestra Wellington Board, Francis Cooke QC said the Board was delighted with Kirsten’s appointment. “We are very fortunate to have someone with Kirsten’s considerable experience take over the role. We are confident that the Orchestra will continue the strong development of recent years under her leadership” he said.

Kirsten said she was thrilled to be joining Orchestra Wellington at a time when the orchestra was going from strength to strength. “I'm looking forward to playing a part in the orchestra's ever-growing contribution to the cultural life of Wellington city and the wider region,” Kirsten said.

Kirsten will begin her new role on February 22 after a hand-over period with Adán Tijerina, who has helmed the orchestra since 2012.

ends

© Scoop Media