• 6 x solo instrumental lessons (45 minutes each)
• ensemble rehearsals and coaching
• workshops and masterclasses
• Rehearsal with piano accompaniment in preparation for lunchtime concerts
• Performance opportunities for both solo and ensemble repertoire.

Saturday, 3rd January 2026, 7pm
Orion Powerhouse Gallery

Renowned German/New Zealand pianist Michael Endres has been praised internationally for his artistry and depth of interpretation. Richard Dyer of The Boston Globe describes him as“…one of the most interesting pianists recording today”.  

In this special recital, Michael Endres will guide the audience through his program in conversation, offering insights into the composers and the works performed.

For more information and to book your tickets click BOOK NOW.

Sunday, 4th January 2026, 6pm
Orion Powerhouse Gallery

Join us for a captivating Sunday late afternoon recital with the Pettman Ensemble, featuring pianist Michael Endres, violinist Elizabeth Layton, violist Stephen King and cellist Edith Salzmann. Set in the exquisite acoustics of the Powerhouse Gallery, this concert invites you to immerse yourself in the elegance and energy of 18th and 19th-century Vienna – a time when music flourished and some of the greatest chamber works were born.

For more information and to book your tickets click BOOK.

Tuesday, 6th January 2026, 7pm
The Gaiety Theatre, Akaroa

A concert full of charm, colour, and character—Bebop for Beagles offers something for everyone. Enjoy beloved favourites and uncover unexpected musical gems, from moments of deep r relaxation to bursts of playful energy. Highlights include “Cookies in Space”, a whimsical movement from the suite Bebop for Beagles, and a spirited arrangement of Enescu’s Romanian Rhapsody for string quintet. This vibrant program, performed by Festival artists, promises delight, surprise, and a few wagging tails.

Elizabeth Layton, violin
Stephen King, viola
Edith Salzmann, cello
and members of the Montana quartet

Ignaz Pleyel
String Quintet
(first performance)

Benedict Brydern
Bebop for Beagles
for violin and viola

Thomas Gray
String trio (premiere)

Georges Enescu
Rumanian Rhapsody No. 1
arr. for string quintet

For more information and to book your tickets click BOOK.

Wednesday, 7th January 2026, 7pm
The Gaiety Theatre, Akaroa

Spins, Spells, Swings and Shanties – Music to Dance To!
Join some of Australasia’s most exciting emerging ensembles for a vibrant programme of dance-inspired music. From Korngold’s glittering Valse Finale to Caroline Shaw’s playful Blueprint, this concert celebrates rhythm, energy, and movement in quartet form.
Music by: Eric korngold Valse finale, Caroline Shaw blueprint, Joe chindamo Meows and Muses, David Bruce String Quartet ‘The Lick Quartet’.

For more information and to book your tickets click BOOK.

Friday, 9th January 2026, 7pm
The Gaiety Theatre, Akaroa

The Roaring Twenties
Step back into the dazzling world of the 1920s — a decade of jazz, flamboyant fashion, and a bold break from Victorian traditions. This vibrant concert celebrates the spirit of the Roaring Twenties through storytelling, fantasy, and unbridled virtuosity. Featuring music that captures both the exuberance of jazz and the elegance of classical style, join us on a journey through one of the most thrilling eras in music history — where boundaries blurred and creativity soared.

For more information and to book your tickets click BOOK.

Saturday, 10th January 2026, 7pm
The Gaiety Theatre, Akaroa

Teddy Tahu Rhodes needs no introduction — the internationally acclaimed baritone commands the opera stage and concert platform with equal brilliance. In Toreador and Tarantellas, he joins soprano Stephanie Acraman and the Akaroa Festival Artists for a captivating program that spans fiery arias from Carmen and other operatic favourites, set alongside the spirited rhythms of Baroque tarantellas and fandangos. A thrilling collision of drama, passion, and dazzling musical colour.

For more information and to book your tickets click BOOK.

Sunday, 11th January 2026, 7pm
The Gaiety Theatre, Akaroa

Landscapes in Sound: Vivaldi Reimagined, Dvořák Celebrated Vivaldi’s Four Seasons needs no introduction — but in the hands of Mark Menzies and the Akaroa Festival Chamber Players, this timeless masterpiece is reborn in a fresh and daring interpretation.

For the second half of the program, we pair Vivaldi with another audience favourite: Dvořák’s Piano Quintet Op. 81, one of the finest examples of late Romantic chamber music, brimming with lyricism, warmth, and vitality.

Mark Menzies, violin
Elizabeth Layton, violin
Stephen King, viola
Edith Salzmann, cello
Anna Goldsworthy, piano

For more information and to book your tickets click BOOK.