We're excited to introduce the BOPMS conductors for 2025!
Michael Joel - Orchestra Conductor
New Zealand-born conductor Michael Joel studied at Otago University and with conductors Heinz Wallberg, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Jac van Steen, and at the Dartington International Summer School.
Equally at home in the orchestra, choral and operatic repertoire, Michael has conducted extensively throughout New Zealand and, since relocating to London in early 2014, at The Royal Opera House, assisting Antonio Pappano, Alexander Joel, Dan Ettinger, Placido Domingo, Oleg Caetani and Mark Minkowski.
He has conducted many of the established orchestras and companies in New Zealand – Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, Opera Otago, the City of Dunedin Choir, NZSO National Youth Orchestra and, prior to relocating to London, principals and members of the NZSO and NZ String Quartet in a critically acclaimed performance of Mahler’s 4th Symphony.
Michael was up until recently, Music Director of St Matthews Chamber Orchestra and has worked on the music staff of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden as duty conductor on productions of Tosca, La Bohème, La Traviata and, most recently, Carmen. He also assisted with the music preparation and children’s chorus for La Bohème and Carmen. He conducted pianist, Pascal Rogé in Saint-Saëns 2nd Piano Concerto with the Lakeland Sinfonia in the UK to great acclaim.
Michael is also an accomplished violist and teacher, who recently returned to NZ.
Equally at home in the orchestra, choral and operatic repertoire, Michael has conducted extensively throughout New Zealand and, since relocating to London in early 2014, at The Royal Opera House, assisting Antonio Pappano, Alexander Joel, Dan Ettinger, Placido Domingo, Oleg Caetani and Mark Minkowski.
He has conducted many of the established orchestras and companies in New Zealand – Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, Opera Otago, the City of Dunedin Choir, NZSO National Youth Orchestra and, prior to relocating to London, principals and members of the NZSO and NZ String Quartet in a critically acclaimed performance of Mahler’s 4th Symphony.
Michael was up until recently, Music Director of St Matthews Chamber Orchestra and has worked on the music staff of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden as duty conductor on productions of Tosca, La Bohème, La Traviata and, most recently, Carmen. He also assisted with the music preparation and children’s chorus for La Bohème and Carmen. He conducted pianist, Pascal Rogé in Saint-Saëns 2nd Piano Concerto with the Lakeland Sinfonia in the UK to great acclaim.
Michael is also an accomplished violist and teacher, who recently returned to NZ.
Lauren Raby - Wind Band Conductor
Lauren is a native of Georgia, USA and began her musical journey as a flute player. Through All-State competitions and opportunities with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Lauren performed under the batons of Robert Spano, Donald Runnicles, Mark Camphouse, Samuel Hazo, and Frank Ticheli. Being inspired by these directors, she continued her study and received a Bachelor of Instrumental Music Education with a Minor in Wind Conducting at Indiana University.
After conducting award winning groups in Arizona, Indiana, and Georgia, Lauren taught overseas for a year in Berlin before settling down in New Zealand. She is now the Musical Director of the West City Youth Concert Band and Head of Faculty, Performing Arts at Takapuna Grammar School.
After conducting award winning groups in Arizona, Indiana, and Georgia, Lauren taught overseas for a year in Berlin before settling down in New Zealand. She is now the Musical Director of the West City Youth Concert Band and Head of Faculty, Performing Arts at Takapuna Grammar School.
Mark Stamper - Choir Conductor
Mark Stamper, born in North Carolina, US, came to New Zealand with an impressive range of training and experience. As a pianist, conductor and music director, he has worked with many big Broadway productions in the United States, and has directed a number of prestigious children's and adult choirs across many genres. These include The Texas Boys' Choir, The Singing Girls of Texas, and the Womens' Chorus of Dallas. However, his most recent American posts include that of Music Director for the theatre programme at Metropolitan State University and Artistic Director of the Northland Chorale and Colorado Repertory Singers.
In 2016 Mark moved to Wellington, where he is the Founding Artistic Director of the semi-professional choir, Inspirare, directs ensembles at Queen Margaret College, leads the Wellington Male Voice Choir and directs two community choirs, SYLO and FilCoro.
In 2016 Mark moved to Wellington, where he is the Founding Artistic Director of the semi-professional choir, Inspirare, directs ensembles at Queen Margaret College, leads the Wellington Male Voice Choir and directs two community choirs, SYLO and FilCoro.