Afternoon Serenade

Join Joanna Gruskin, Sophia Acheson and Christine Wang for a programme of music for flute/piccolo, viola and violin.

Piccled by Michael Norris
Piccolo

Fantasia in F major, from 36 Fantasias for Harpsichord
By Telemann arr. Jan Sielemann for violin and viola

First madrigal from Three Madrigals, H.313 by Martinu
Violin and viola

Serenade in D major, Op. 25 by Beethoven
Flute, violin and viola

Biographies:

Sophia Acheson
Sophia, from Christchurch, studied with New Zealand violist Donald Maurice. She was
subsequently awarded scholarships to study at the University of Southern California with
Donald McInnes and the University of Texas at Austin with Roger Myers.
In 2023 Sophia began her permanent role as section player with the New Zealand Symphony
Orchestra. She has enjoyed playing in many chamber groups and as a soloist with Kāpiti
Concert Orchestra.

Johanna Gruskin
Johanna Gruskin joined the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as Principal Piccolo in 2022.
Previously she was a member of the New World Symphony (Florida) and the Knoxville
Symphony Orchestra. Originally from Minnesota, she studied flute and piccolo at the
Eastman School of Music, New England Conservatory, and Colburn Conservatory.

Christine Wang
Christine has been a member of the second violin section of New Zealand Symphony
Orchestra since 2022. Prior to this, she was Assistant Concertmaster of San Antonio
Symphony. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Eastman School of Music and Master of
Music at Rice University, studying under Oleh Krysa and Kathleen Winkler respectively.

Photos courtesy of New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa.