Jennifer is a conductor and composer based in Auckland. She was an assistant conductor for UniBand and led two chamber ensembles to perform new contemporary works for the Lilburn Trust Awards in 2023 and 2024. She participated in choral conducting masterclasses held by the NZCF in 2024, gaining valuable feedback from established conductors Pearl Shangkuan and Cristian Grases.

In 2024, Jennifer graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree, receiving first-class honours at the University of Auckland. She became the 2024 Auckland Philharmonia Young Composer-in-Residence, having her orchestral work, Little Red-Cap, premiered in

the Auckland Town Hall for the Discovery Concert.

Jennifer believes music can be an avenue to express or empathise with a wide array of emotions, thoughts, or feelings and strives to convey these experiences when performing or composing.

Born and raised in Malaysia, Rou Ai learned to play the piano from a young age and obtained her Diploma in Piano Performance back in 2017. She is passionate about music and had experience being the accompanist for her church choir, high school choir team, and for soloist/instrumentalist in their performances and exams. She is also a classically trained guitarist and harmonica player.

Although she graduated from Early Childhood Education in her tertiary studies, music still plays a huge role in her life as she continues to pursue it as a hobby. Having the opportunity to work with AYC is her biggest pleasure and she looks forward to it.

Tim Evans (they/them) is a student at the University of Auckland and is an emerging choral artist. Hailing originally from Kirikiriroa Hamilton, they have been a member of the Auckland Youth Choir for 2 years. They are also a member of the New Zealand Youth Choir and were selected for the Asia Pacific Youth Choir 2024.

Tim’s original works have been performed by the Wellington Youth Choir and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra among others. They are immensely excited to work alongside the creative team this year in the production of a new work for this outstanding choir.