Woodwind

KAREN BATTEN - FLUTE

Karen was born in Lower Hutt and studied flute performance at Victoria University with Alexa Still, graduating with a Bachelor of Music with Honours. Karen went on to study at the State University of New York, obtaining a Master of Music degree.

Upon returning to Wellington, Karen has developed a varied freelance career. She works as an orchestral musician for the Wellington Vector Orchestra and occasionally the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Karen has also taught extensively throughout the region and continues to teach privately and at one high school.

Chamber music is a passion for Karen. She is a founding member of the flute, clarinet and piano ensemble “Ethos”. The ensemble has toured for Chamber Music New Zealand and commissioned works from New Zealand composers.

SIMON BREW - CLARINET AND SAXOPHONE

Simon gained his Bachelor of Music with 1st Class Honours from Massey University followed by a Masters of Music degree from the Artez Conservatorium in the Netherlands. Simon has  numerous competition wins to his name including the 2010 winner (by jury) of the prestigious Grachtenfestival Conservatorium Competition in Amsterdam as well as winning by public vote the Artez Kunstnacht Competition for best graduating student for 2010. He also won best saxophonist under 30 at the International Festival of Single Reeds in Melbourne (2005).

Simon has also played at prestigious festivals including the BBC Proms (Royal Albert Hall) (London), Brandenburgischen Sommerkonzerte (Berlin), Middleburg Kamermuziek Festival (NL), Grachtenfestival (Amsterdam), Grenswerk Festival (NL), International Youth Music Festival (Vienna), and the 2006 North American Saxophone Conference (USA).

TIM HOPKINS - CLARINET AND SAXOPHONE

Born in Auckland but growing up in Brisbane, Tim Hopkins was heading for a career in graphic arts when he picked up the saxophone on a whim at age 15 eventually going on to graduate from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Tim developed his skills as a composer and band leader, his debut in 1993 Good Heavens coincided with winning the National Jazz Award at the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz in Australia. By the end of the 1990s he had recorded another four CDs, toured South East Asia, Canada and Europe and performed at Jazz Festivals from Montreal to Melbourne, Waiheke to Wellington. In 1999, on an Australia Arts Council grant, he studied with saxophonist George Garzone in New York City.
 
In 2000, Tim moved back to New Zealand and began recording and compiling his 6th solo CD Hear Now After which was released in 2008. The first single Loophole was included on a NZ On Air compilation disc and features a black and white video directed by the NZ Independent Film Company.

MADELINE SAKOFSKY - OBOE

Born and raised in Auckland, Madeline Sakofsky began a Bachelor of Music degree in 1992 at the University of Auckland which she completed in Melbourne at the Victorian College of the Arts three years later. During this time she studied oboe with Stanley Jackson and with Anne Gilby.

In 1995 Madeline headed for Germany where she completed two post-graduate diplomas in performance music, firstly in Mannheim studying with Prof. Winfried Liebermann, and then in Cologne with Prof. Christian Schneider. During this time she played with many orchestras, including the Cologne Chamber Orchestra, the Volkwang Chamber Orchestra in Essen, and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Hagen.

Upon returning to New Zealand in 2000, Madeline took up the position of Associate Principal Cor Anglais/Oboe in the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, which she held until moving to Wellington in 2009.  She performs regularly with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Vector Wellington Orchestra as well as chamber music with the Nikau Trio.

CATHERINE WILKINSON - FLUTE

Catherine was born and raised in Wellington. She has been involved in music since she was born. She began learning the piano at age 7, and flute at age 9, while singing in the local children’s choir. At high school she had 5 years of singing lessons, and was a member of several music groups. During this period she sat the Royal Schools of Music London, and Trinity College of London music exams in piano (Grade 8), and flute (Performer’s certificate). Outside of high school she was a member of the Wellington Junior Symphony Orchestra and Wellington Secondary Schools Symphonic Band.

Catherine graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Music (History and Literature) and a Bachelor of Science (Psychology). The combination of these two passions led her to the discipline of Music Therapy. In December 2008, she graduated with a Master of Music Therapy from the New Zealand School of Music. Catherine is now a registered music therapist.