OUR Conductors
Susie Hardie, director of Tui Singers and Cherubim, has been a specialist music teacher for over 27 years and has conducted children’s choirs in France, Canada, and New Zealand. She has lived in 9 different countries and enjoys sharing her experience of world music with young people. In addition to her musical leadership, Susie also teaches French at the school.
Mark L. Stamper, a native of South Carolina, began his piano study at the age of three and eventually expanded his musical interests to include choral music. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Winthrop University in 1986 where he studied with Dr. Eugene Barban. In 1989, Mr. Stamper was awarded a Master of Music degree with a concentration in Choral Conducting from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas where he was the Assistant Conductor of the Oratorio Chorus.
He has been awarded the Silver Medal at the Concours International de la Musique and the Best Performance of a Modern Work during the International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs in Boston.
Mr. Stamper made his operatic conducting debut when he was granted the honor of being the first Conductor Apprentice to conduct an opera, Cavalleria Rusticana, with orchestra. He worked under the direction of Maestro William Weibel, a former conductor of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Mr. Stamper also conducted Cosi fan Tutte with the South Florida Opera Company and The Gondoliers with Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts. In 2006-2007, he was the Principal Accompanist for La Bohème and Madame Butterfly with the Fort Worth Opera. Then in 2008, Mr. Stamper was the Chorus Master for Lucia di Lammermoor and Of Mice and Men, where his chorus received great reviews from the critics.
Among some of the Broadway productions Mr. Stamper has served as Musical Director and Accompanist are The Music Man, Bye, Bye Birdie, The Fantastiks, The Sound of Music, Into the Woods, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, The King and I, Chess, Kiss Me Kate, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Rent, Chicago, She Loves Me, 42nd Street, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Footloose, Oklahoma!, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. In 2019, Mark made his acting debut as Jerry in The Full Monty at Gryphon Theatre.
With conducting experience widespread among many genres of music, Mr. Stamper's depth includes ballet, choral, opera, orchestral, and musicals. His love for music is exemplified through his working in various performance mediums, as well as various genres. His choirs have consistently received accolades from critics and judges, attained superior ratings at festivals, and have been featured as an honor choir at American Choral Directors Association conventions.
He held significant appointments in America before moving to Wellington, New Zealand in 2015 and is now a permanent resident of New Zealand. He is entering his 40th year as a conductor and is the Artistic Director/Founder of the professional choir, Inspirare, directs three choirs at Queen Margaret College: Voces Luce, Jubilate, and Celesta, directs three community choirs: SYLO (Sing Your Lungs Out), Kōkako of Wellington Young Voices, Wellington Male Voice Choir, and is the Music Coordinator for St. Andrews on the Terrace.
He has been awarded the Silver Medal at the Concours International de la Musique and the Best Performance of a Modern Work during the International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs in Boston.
Mr. Stamper made his operatic conducting debut when he was granted the honor of being the first Conductor Apprentice to conduct an opera, Cavalleria Rusticana, with orchestra. He worked under the direction of Maestro William Weibel, a former conductor of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Mr. Stamper also conducted Cosi fan Tutte with the South Florida Opera Company and The Gondoliers with Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts. In 2006-2007, he was the Principal Accompanist for La Bohème and Madame Butterfly with the Fort Worth Opera. Then in 2008, Mr. Stamper was the Chorus Master for Lucia di Lammermoor and Of Mice and Men, where his chorus received great reviews from the critics.
Among some of the Broadway productions Mr. Stamper has served as Musical Director and Accompanist are The Music Man, Bye, Bye Birdie, The Fantastiks, The Sound of Music, Into the Woods, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, The King and I, Chess, Kiss Me Kate, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Rent, Chicago, She Loves Me, 42nd Street, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Footloose, Oklahoma!, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. In 2019, Mark made his acting debut as Jerry in The Full Monty at Gryphon Theatre.
With conducting experience widespread among many genres of music, Mr. Stamper's depth includes ballet, choral, opera, orchestral, and musicals. His love for music is exemplified through his working in various performance mediums, as well as various genres. His choirs have consistently received accolades from critics and judges, attained superior ratings at festivals, and have been featured as an honor choir at American Choral Directors Association conventions.
He held significant appointments in America before moving to Wellington, New Zealand in 2015 and is now a permanent resident of New Zealand. He is entering his 40th year as a conductor and is the Artistic Director/Founder of the professional choir, Inspirare, directs three choirs at Queen Margaret College: Voces Luce, Jubilate, and Celesta, directs three community choirs: SYLO (Sing Your Lungs Out), Kōkako of Wellington Young Voices, Wellington Male Voice Choir, and is the Music Coordinator for St. Andrews on the Terrace.
OUR Accompanists
Louise Logan, accompanist, Voces Luce
TBC, accompanist, Jubilate
Liam Furey, accompanist, Celesta
Jacqueline Ward, accompanist, Tui Singers and Cherubim
TBC, accompanist, Jubilate
Liam Furey, accompanist, Celesta
Jacqueline Ward, accompanist, Tui Singers and Cherubim