Emerging Collaborative Pianist
A talented pianist will have the opportunity to be mentored by our Assistant Director, Claire Caldwell and gain unique experience accompanying Auckland Youth Choir. The Emerging Collaborative Pianist will have the opportunity to accompany the choir in rehearsals and a performance, receiving feedback and training from our artistic team. The Emerging Collaborative Pianist must also be a singing member of the choir in 2026. Open to ages 16-27.
Previous Emerging Collaborative Pianists have included Michelle Xu, Catherine Chang, Krystal Wang and Matthew Spooner.
Applications for 2026 are now open:
The developing collaborative pianist role was absolutely a highlight of my 2024. The skillset needed to be a vocal accompanist is vastly different from that of a solo pianist, or even a chamber music pianist, and the opportunity to learn these skills from Claire Caldwell is not to be passed up! The chances throughout the year to get on the piano in rehearsals with Claire by your side, combined with private mentoring and AYC concert performance opportunities makes the development programme well-rounded and beneficial for collaborative pianists at all levels. I would highly recommend this programme to any pianist who is interested in accompanying choirs.
Matthew Spooner
Emerging Collaborative Pianist 2024
