Naomi Hnat
We are delighted to welcome Naomi Hnat as the new conductor of the Christchurch Youth Orchestra. Naomi recently completed her Masters in Conducting (First Class), specialising in symphonic choral repertoire, with Simon Halsey CBE at the University of Birmingham. Prior to this, she undertook postgraduate conducting studies with Dr. Karen Grylls CNZM at the University of Auckland.
Naomi had her conducting debut with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in early 2024, where she has also played as a section cellist since 2011. She has been selected as a 2025 Conducting Fellow with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, having previously participated in the Fellowship programme in 2023.
She was a conducting intern for Voices New Zealand in 2020 and the New Zealand Youth Choir in 2021. As a registered teacher, Naomi also previously enjoyed directing various secondary school choirs, achieving selection for The Big Sing Finale seven times.
Naomi is delighted to be appointed as the next director of the Christchurch Youth Orchestra, and looks forward to starting her role in the new year.
