William Sun is a third-year student at the University of Auckland, majoring in Classical Performance on piano and Auxiliary Performance Study on trumpet. From the age of four William learned the piano from his mother, until 2020 when he began studying under Rae de Lisle. One year later he won two classes of the...
Nuku Atkinson-Hay
Nuku Atkinson-Hay is entering their 12th year of school and started playing horn four years ago at the age of eleven. They take horn lessons from Anita Austin and have played in their school band for three years. Nuku is new to AYO and hopes they will enjoy their first year playing in an...
Caleb Goldsmith
Caleb is a percussionist in his last year of a Bacherlor of Music majoring in percussion performance at the University of Auckland. This is his second year in AYO, although he’s been playing percussion in many orchestras and bands since 2015. In 2023, Caleb was accepted to perform in the National Youth Orchestra (NYO),...
Talia Thomson
Talia is currently in her third year of studying music at the University of Auckland. Talia first discovered her love for the trumpet at the age of three, after hearing her father play. She began playing at the age of seven. Since then, she has been involved in many different groups through school, uni,...
Fergus Dunlop
Fergus has been learning the French Horn from David Kay for six years. He is a Year 13 student at Westlake Boys High School where he plays in the Westlake Symphony and Concert Band, and sings in the Westlake choirs. Fergus enjoys stand up paddle boarding and competes frequently....
Athena Shiu
Previously a violinist, Athena wanted to explore the other side of the orchestra and to gain a different perspective. Two years later, she switched position and is now beginning her journey as a trombonist in AYO! Athena is currently studying Classical Performance specialising in trombone at the University of Auckland under Douglas Cross. Besides...
Amy Laithwaite
Amy is currently in her third year of studying Classical Performance (learning under Doug Cross) and Statistics at the University of Auckland. Beginning learning the trombone at age 8, Amy has gone on to achieve her ATCL diploma and to play with national representative groups such as NZSSSO, National Secondary Schools Brass Band and...
Evan Metcalfe
Evan Metcalfe is in his third year at the University of Auckland, studying a conjoint degree of Bachelor of Music majoring in French Horn Performance and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Part II.5. Evan has been a member of the AYO for 9 years, playing as Principal Horn since 2022. Evan has also performed with...