Gretchen La Roche
Position
Clarinet Tutor
Qualifications
LTCL, BMus, DipRAM, ARAM (Hon)
Contact Details
Background
Gretchen completed her BMus at Auckland University. Upon being awarded an Associated Board Post Graduate scholarship she attended the Royal Academy of Music in London for two years. During this time she studied with Richard Addison, Michael Collins, Andrew Marriner, Anthony Paye and Keith Puddy. During her time in the UK Gretchen gave many recitals and also worked freelance with a number of London orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic. She returned to New Zealand in 1996 to play with the Auckland Philharmonia for 9 months before accepting the position of Principal Clarinet with the Christchurch Symphony.
Gretchen is a founding member of 175 East, an Auckland based contemporary music ensemble which performs regularly throughout New Zealand. 175 East were recently awarded a Citation for services to New Zealand Music by CANZ the Composers Association of New Zealand.
Gretchen is a recording artist for Concert FM and is an Associate Artist for Chamber Music New Zealand and has featured on a number of CD recordings.
Graduate Courses
Two years postgraduate study at the Royal Academy of Music (London).
Awarded and Honorary Associateship from the Royal Academy of Music.
Research Interests
Gretchen is keen performer of contemporary music and as a member of 175 East regularly premiere's new works. She has worked with a many composers and has had a large number of works written for her.