Diana Cable has many years’ experience working in the arts sector. After 4 years as an Industrial Relations Officer in the State Services Commission, her membership of the New Zealand Youth Choir and its first international tour led Diana to full-time music study and ultimately, to a career in the arts. One year managing Wellington City Opera was followed by 10 years as a Music Producer at Radio New Zealand Concert. She worked as an independent producer for 7 years and was then appointed as Artistic Administrator of the New Zealand International Arts Festival.

More recently Diana was the Manager of the Young and Hungry Arts Trust, which mentored young playwrights and theatre practitioners. Having managed nine Lexus Song Quests (formerly Mobil), Diana also has considerable experience working with young singers.

Diana’s love of choral music is kept alive as a member of the Board of Trustees of Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand. She has been a member of the Wellington Creative Communities grants committee and is a Past President of the New Zealand Opera Society.

“Chrissie Argyle and I sang in the NZ Youth Choir together and we briefly overlapped at Concert FM, so I’m really excited to join her and the team at NZCF to work as the Youth Outreach Coordinator. I know from personal experience that singing in choirs as a teenager and young adult is so grounding and formative in so many ways. So to be able to contribute to helping young singers stay active as choristers is exciting and important mahi." diana.cable@nzcf.org.nz

Helen Acheson has recently moved back to her hometown, Ōtautahi Christchurch, having previously taught in the Performing and Screen Arts department at Te Pūkenga Unitec in Auckland, and, following that, as a classroom music teacher for many years.

Alongside her teaching, Helen has been involved with school choirs, community groups, and professional vocal ensembles, and is a passionate believer in the transformative effects that group singing can have on self-confidence and wellbeing.

Helen has a background in events and arts management and has held roles at the University of Auckland for Creative Arts and Industries, and in Scotland with Early Music ensemble, the Dunedin Consort.

Helen says "I am really delighted to be starting as the Children's Outreach Coordinator for the New Zealand Choral Federation. NZCF could not be a better advocate for singers everywhere and I am looking forward to being part of the team.

NZCF's children's outreach project will support primary and intermediate level schools and kura around Aotearoa NZ to set up singing programmes. We will be working alongside teachers, educators and school communities, to offer practical tools, resources and mentoring. 

More detailed information about the project will be in the next eBreve but feel free to contact me in the meantime if you would like to get in touch." outreach@nzcf.org.nz