Mum of 2 ( Krysten 17 and James 13) and married to Paul who is also a member of the Choir. Mel studied for 3 years at the University of Hertfordshire where she gained a BA Hons in Performing Arts. Born in Bedford in the UK she lived in London for several years and then Coventry before she emigrated to NZ in 2009. In 2012 she had the idea to form her own all comers choir without auditioning. Mel was one of the founders of The Everybody Sings Group of choirs managing 8 adult choirs in until Covid forced a change in direction in 2022.

“ I decided to form a choir as I had been a member of a community choir in the UK before we made the move to NZ.  I knew first hand how great it can be to get people together to sing. It creates a great community environment, helps people gain in confidence and is fantastic fun. We are just one big family!”

Mel is also a supporter of the Arts and is part of the Selwyn Community Performing Arts Theatre. A Herald magazine interview with Mel from December 2016 about the benefits of singing in choirs can be found here.

Chris is a Musical Director who has been teaching music and conducting for more than 30 years
She specialises in nurturing the best possible performance in others and composes as well as arranging music. She is married to Lee and is the proud mother of four sons.

Chris feels incredibly fortunate to be immersed in a full and varied musical working schedule; despite the changes to the usual life rhythm since 2020, she has continued working as the Music specialist at Newmarket School and Howick Primary School, training the choir and instrumental group at Farm Cove Intermediate, the choir at Orakei School and enjoying teaching her private students. She also is the Musical Director for the fabulous NZ Young@Heart Chorus and is an APPA Music Festival Conductor and Accompanist and the Musical Director for “An Eden Park Christmas.”

Over the last several years, Chris has worked as a chaperone for the Australasian production of Matilda the Musical, and as Head Chaperone for Auckland Theatre company’s Billy Elliot and Tom Sawyer. She was the Musical Director for King’s College productions in 2018/2019 and Pakuranga College in 2019. Previously, Chris played as an accompanist and repetiteur for Auckland Theatre Company and was part of the team for Coca Cola Christmas in the Park for 13 years, including training the Coca Cola Choir. She was the accompanist for the Graduate choir from 2005-2007, is an Adjudicator, leads worship at Howick Community Church and has served the local community on two School Boards of Trustees as Chairperson.