“Plug Gemma New’s name into your search engine,” writes Virginia Fallon in Sunday’s (2/27) Stuff (New Zealand). “You’ll find dozens of outstanding reviews, awards, and profiles of the New Zealander hailed as a rising star in the orchestral world. Currently, she’s the music director of Canada’s Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and principal guest conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra…. The 35-year-old has been appointed as the artistic advisor and principal conductor of The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), currently celebrating its 75th anniversary year. The position is both the first of its kind for a New Zealand orchestra and the first time in the NZSO’s history a woman has held a principal conductor position. New will conduct a variety of concerts with the NZSO over the next three years and advise on what music and other activities it presents. She debuted with the orchestra in 2020—‘a lifelong dream’ … New, who has lived abroad for a decade, says the NZSO was always part of her future plans…. She believes in music wholeheartedly, saying classical music is the universal language…. NZSO chief executive Peter Biggs says New’s appointment is a coup for both the orchestra and New Zealand.”
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