He’s completing a doctorate in conducting from Indiana University, teaching at the University of Auckland, directing choirs at one of our most prestigious schools, conducting the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Chamber Choir … and now Jono Palmer has been named as the 2025 Assistant Conductor for Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand (CANZ), the body that governs our three national choirs. 

In this latest role, Jono will be working one-on-one with acclaimed New Zealand conductor and Voices New Zealand director, Dr Karen Grylls (CMNZ), as part of a dedicated annual mentoring programme designed to develop future choral leaders for Aotearoa. Karen will actively mentor Jono for 12 months: “I’m excited to learn from Dr Karen Grylls during her final year as director of Voices New Zealand,” says Jono. “I also look forward to collaborating with the talented singers, directors, and team at Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand and gaining valuable experience that will help me contribute to the future direction of choral music in New Zealand.”

Jono has been a valued part of the Choirs Aotearoa whānau since he was a teenager: a member of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir from 2003–2004, Jono went on to sing with the New Zealand Youth Choir, 2005–2010 and from-time-to-time still sings with Voices New Zealand, our premier national choir.

Jono Palmer is currently completing his Doctor of Music in Choral Conducting from Indiana University, from where he gained his Masters. Jono’s day job is teaching conducting and music theory at the University of Auckland where he also directs the university’s symphony orchestra. Jono is also the Director of Choirs at Auckland’s Diocesan School for Girls and the artistic director for the Auckland Chamber Choir. He’s the Artistic Programme Coordinator for Choral Connect and on the committee for the Association of Choral Directors. While teaching at Rangitoto College, his choir won gold at the Grand Prix of Nations and also won multiple awards at The Big Sing secondary school choir competition. Jono was also a finalist at the London International Choral Conducting Competition, and he was selected as masterclass participant at the 2017 World Symposium on Choral Music in Barcelona.

Jono takes on the new role from the 2024 CANZ Assistant Conductor, Fiona Wilson, who says: “It’s been a pleasure and privilege to work alongside my colleagues, to learn from them, support their mahi, as well as meeting and making music with the wonderful singers from all of the national choirs.  Time to rehearse and perform with all four choirs has been invaluable to the development of my artistry; as has receiving feedback from my mentor, Dr Karen Grylls.” 

For more information, contact: 
Rachel Healy, Publicist
rachel@rachelhealy.co.nz