Voices New Zealand presents: Ara Hura — A Visionary Journey

Aotearoa’s most influential choral conductor has made her mark across multiple choirs in New Zealand and beyond. The huge contribution of Dr Karen Grylls is celebrated in ‘Ara Hura — A Visionary Journey’. 

It’s fitting that this Aotearoa Festival of the Arts concert involves the choir Dr Grylls founded 28 years ago. Voices New Zealand debuted with a concert at the same festival in 1998. It has gone on to build a reputation for excellence in the music world. For this celebratory concert, the choir is joined by taonga pūoro artist Horomona Horo, leading instrumentalists, and a chamber ensemble from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. 

The concert centrepiece is Robert Wiremu’s Re-imagined Mozart: Erebus. The programme also features a new commission from Takerei Komene, as well as waiata by Ngāpō and Pimia Wehi. This highlights Dr Grylls’ pioneering collaborations that reshaped Aotearoa’s choral landscape. Her expertise as a choral clinician is sought internationally, and she regularly conducts masterclasses and workshops in Wales, England, North America, Canada and Australia. 

This marks Dr Grylls’ final appearance as Music Director of Voices New Zealand. It’s a rare opportunity to celebrate her vision, artistry, and legacy.