Development & Mentoring

Auckland Youth Choir launched its Development & Mentoring project in 2020.
The project is an innovative and integrated choral development project that seeks to deepen the choir's impact in Auckland and provide young musicians with opportunities and experience for growth in the arts industry.

2025 Artists

Emerging Conductor

Jennifer Yuan

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.

Emerging Collaborative Pianist

Rou Ai Loo

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.

Young Composer in Residence

Tim Evans

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.

Emerging Conductor

An aspiring young conductor will have the opportunity to gain experience working with Auckland Youth Choir and receive training from our Music Director, David Squire.

The Emerging Conductor will conduct AYC in both rehearsals and performances, receiving feedback and mentoring from our artistic team. The Emerging Conductor must also be a singing member of the choir in 2025. Open to ages 16-27.

Previous Emerging Conductors have included Takerei Komene, Blake Scanlen, Miles Timmis and Annabel Yu.

2025 applications are now closed.

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 2025. Open to ages 16-27.

Previous Emerging Collaborative Pianists have included Michelle Xu, Catherine Chang, Krystal Wang and Matthew Spooner.

2025 applications are not closed.

Young Composer in Residence

An emerging young composer will receive a commission for a work to be performed by Auckland Youth Choir in 2025. The composer will receive feedback from our artistic team on a draft score and the opportunity to work with the choir during the rehearsal process. The Young Composer in Residence must also be a singing member of the choir in 2025. Open to ages 16-27.

Previous Young Composers in Residence have included Alex Taylor, Andrew Baldwin, Jayan Bhikha, Kitty Milner, Takerei Komene, Julia Francis, Reuben Rameka, Sarah Fouhy, Grace Wellik and Fergus Byett.

2025 applications are now closed.