New Zealander-Jewish violist, Tal Amoore began his studies at the age of 15 with Dr John Thomson. He is currently in his second year of undergraduate studies at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music with New Zealand String Quartet violist, Gillian Ansell.

He has worked with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra National Youth Orchestra, Wellington Youth Orchestra, Auckland Youth Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra as an Aspiring Musician.

Tal finds great joy in working collaboratively with other musicians. He is proud to be a scholar with the Dame Malvina Major Foundation and to be the founder and violist of the Eden Quartet. He is also the recipient of New Zealand School of Music Director’s Award and Auckland Grammar Schools Performing Art’s Scholarship. His future engagements include 2022 World’s Edge Festival and the Adam Summer School in New Zealand.

Tal performs on a viola by New Zealand Luthier, Malcolm Collins’ viola, labelled “No. 12, (1983)”.

jason bae | founder & music director

Jason Bae is the Founder & Music Director of Afflatus Ensemble and has recently finished his two-year role as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Conducting Fellowship Programme Conductor in 2020/21. Jason made his debut in Stockholm, conducting the Aurora Festival Orchestra - presenting the Swedish premiere of "Violent, Violent Sea" by the American composer, Missy Mazzoli. Last year, Jason gave the New Zealand Premiere of Lotta Wennäkoski's "Nosztalgiaim" with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra National Youth Orchestra.

He has received masterclasses with renowned conductors such as Osmo Vänskä with Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Jorma Panula with South Denmark Philharmonic Orchestra, Kuopio Symphony Orchestra, Vaasa City Orchestra, Hamish McKeich, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Holly Mathieson and Gemma New with New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Formerly trained as a pianist, Jason received his Master of Arts in piano performance with the highest distinction award, 'DipRAM' at the Royal Academy of Music in London studied under the Professor Emeritus Christopher Elton and Joanna MacGregor in 2015. Jason studied orchestral conducting and was mentored by Jukka-Pekka Saraste.

@jasonbae1029