Aspiring Chamber Ensemble Charity Concert

ACE, (Aspiring Chamber Ensemble) is a group of amateur Classical musicians based in Central Otago. It currently consists of the following musicians.

Allen Hogan (Flute). Allen is basically a self-taught musician having focused on the flute in his 50’s he sought tuition from various tutors, finally spending some years working under Kathryn Moorhead the Associate principle of the APO and flute tutor at Auckland University. His musical interests range from Classical Orchestral and Chamber music to Jazz and Celtic folk music, playing in CORO, ACE, Three’s a crowd, Roaring Meg and LochCeol

Brian Budd (Cello)

Brian has been passionate about fine music for his entire life. He learnt piano from an early age and took up cello lessons in Oamaru at age 10 years. In the 1970s he studied cello in Dunedin with Dorothy Wallace and played as a semi- professional member of the Dunedin Civic Orchestra.

Brian moved to Wellington in 1980 where he studied under Farquar Wilkinson and Judy Hyatt towards a music degree. In 1984 he spent two years in London where he studied with Christopher Bunting who was then professor of cello at the Royal Academy of Music.

He returned to Wellington in 1986 and undertook further semi-professional work with the Wellington Regional Orchestra and playing chamber music. He then branched out into Arts administration filling the roles of General Manager of the Wellington Regional Orchestra (1989 to 1995) and CEO of Chamber Music New Zealand (1995 to 2005).

A career in Sport Administration followed through which music and cello performance remained an important part of life.

In Wellington and London Brian studied voice and sang in a number of opera productions in the 1980s and 90s

Ann-Marie Wall (Piano)

Ann-Marie studied music (B.Mus Hons) at WIT in Waterford, and later completed a Higher Diploma in Education at Trinity College Dublin, as well as a Higher Diploma from Victoria University, New Zealand. She is also registered with IRMT.

She has been playing the piano for as long as she can remember and quickly fell in love with it. Music has been a big part of her life ever since. She has over 30 years of teaching experience in both Ireland and New Zealand.

In 2007, she founded Classically Music, a small music school in Wanaka, where she continues to teach and support local students. She loves encouraging young people to discover music in a fun and positive way, and to build confidence through learning.

Ann-Marie has also enjoyed singing in choirs in Ireland and a highlight for her was performing in the National Concert Hall in Dublin. She still loves performing whenever she gets the chance and sharing her passion for music with others.

Jose Jose Cranfield (Piano)

Jose comes from a musical family and, from a young age, remembers planning piano lessons for her mother’s students and sitting in the back of lessons pretending to teach. The piano has always been her instrument of choice and a place of comfort.

After leaving school, she went on to study oboe at Victoria University, stepping away from the piano for nearly two decades while building a career in science communication and environmental chemistry.

In recent years, with primary school–aged children and a shift toward spending more time at home, Jose has rediscovered her love of the piano. Returning to the instrument has been a genuine delight. Her years of orchestral experience, performing with amateur orchestras across New Zealand, have also strengthened her musicianship and ensemble awareness, naturally leading her toward chamber music.

The program covers a wide range of musical periods, from Baroque (Bach and Handel) to Debussy and Maria Theresia Paradis.