Management Team
Catherine Gibson
Chief Executive
Catherine has an extensive musical background in both New Zealand and the UK as a professional oboist and teacher, and orchestral and chamber music coach. In the UK she free-lanced with orchestras such as Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, English Sinfonia and small chamber groups that toured Music Societies around the UK. She also managed the internationally acclaimed and UK based London Conchord Ensemble.
More recently her focus has been on senior arts management here in New Zealand. Catherine was Artistic Manager and then Chief Executive for Chamber Music New Zealand before taking up the role as Chief Executive for Orchestras Central Trust in 2021.
Catherine is well versed in the opportunities and challenges for young New Zealand musicians, having guided her own two children through their study pathways on bassoon and viola to successful careers in the music profession.
Kristyn Keats
Orchestras and Outreach
Kristyn recently graduated from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Music, studying performance on the flute. Kristyn is originally from Napier, where she played in many musical groups, both in and out of school. She has a passion for anything music and loves being involved, both as a player and behind the scenes.
At Orchestras Central, Kristyn looks after the organisation of the orchestras, from booking venues, confirming players through to stage managing. She also looks after Outreach, including research to develop the outreach programme.
Nick Walsh
Marketing and Communications
Nick Walsh is the Marketing and Communications Lead for Orchestras Central. In this role he is responsible for promoting Orchestras Central events through a variety of marketing channels.
Nick is also the Associate Director and Publicist for the Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa (previously Marketing & Publicity Manager) and previously the co-Founder and co-Director of Never Project Space, an artist-run space, art gallery, music venue and gift store.
Prior to moving back to Aotearoa in 2019, Nick spent four years living and working in Shanghai, honing his managerial and communications skills.
Katrina Carswell
Systems (volunteer)
Katrina has been with Orchestras Central since its inception, and prior to that was on the management committee for Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra for several years.
She is responsible for keeping the Orchestras Central engine humming, developing and streamlining systems to ensure it operates as efficiently as possible.
Robert Lummus
Librarian
Yvonne Morrison
Finance
All photography unless otherwise stated:
©Richard Lummus
©Katrina Carswell
©Nick Walsh
