Choir Administration
KAREN KNUDSON – MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Karen is well known to Dunedin audiences as a conductor and performer. She is a graduate of the University of Otago, with a MusB(Hons) and MA. At University she was awarded many academic prizes, including the best performance student.
Karen works as a conductor and teacher and has toured with groups to Hawaii, Japan and Australia. She has recorded for Radio and Television New Zealand, and BBC Scotland.
Karen has been Organist and Director of Music at Knox Church since 1997. At Knox Church under her direction, the choir has produced works which would otherwise not be experienced in the city; masses by Lotti, Viadana, Vittoria, Casciolini, Schubert, Rheinberger, Dvorak, Britten etc. Karen has also produced many examples of the large choral repertoire.
Karen has also conducted Strauss’ Die Fledermaus for Opera Otago and she also conducts a children’s choir, which sings as part of the Knox Church Choir. They perform regularly in rest homes, the Art Gallery, Railway Station and busking along George Street. Ages 5-13.
In 2013 Karen enjoyed the opportunity of working with St Kilda Brass as their conductor. And in 2014 was appointed music director of the Dunedin RSA choir.
Karen was music director for a Dunedin youth choir consisting of students from Otago Girls High School, Otago Boys High School and St Hilda’s Collegiate School. In May 2015 the choir was invited to participate in the 32nd Shanghai Spring International Music Festival. Karen has three daughters; Abigail, Calla and Ariana – all with music talents.
John Eastwood - CHOIR CHAIR
SANDRA CRAWSHAW ACCOMPANIST
Sandra is a pianist and violinist from Dunedin. In 1987 she graduated with a BMus (Hons) in piano from Auckland University and continued post – graduating studies at the Royal College of Music, London. Moving to Dunedin in 1991, she continues to perform and teach. Currently she is finishing a PhD thesis about His Majesty’s Theatre (now Sammy’s) and the history of entertaining in Dunedin.
