Christchurch-bred and educated, Blanche's early teaching experience was at the Christchurch School of Instrumental Music on Saturday mornings. In 1968 she moved to Wellington, where she spent two years as an orchestral trainee with the NZBC Training Orchestra.
In 1970 she auditioned successfully for the 'cello section of the NZ Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), a position she held for twenty-seven years. Some of the highlights of her NZSO career were working with soloists Mstislav Rostropovitch, Jacqueline du Pre, Isaac Stern, Cho-Liang Lin, John Williams, Joan Sutherland, Donald McIntyre, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Claudio Arrau, Alfred Brendel & James Galway; with conductors Antal Dorati, Walter Susskind, Vaclav Smetacek, Alfred Wallenstein, Franz-Paul Decker & Janos Furst. In a lighter vein, memorable musicians were Johnny Dankworth, Ron Goodwin, Andre Kostelanetz & local vocalist, Malcolm McNeill.
Particular career highlights were NZSO tours to Australia (1974), with concerts in the Sydney Opera House & in South Australia; playing as guest orchestra in the Hong Kong Arts' Festival in 1980; and representing New Zealand at the 1992 Expo in Seville.
Over the years Blanche also worked in studio orchestras, recording backings for TV programmes - like "Close to Home" and "Country GP" - for TV commercials, radio music programmes and commercial recordings.
Since leaving the NZSO, Blanche has been 'cello tutor at Wellington's Queen Margaret College and teaches privately from her home. She is 'cellist in Strings 'n' Things, Wellington's exciting new string ensemble, and is a committee member of the NZSO Alumni Association, and editor of their newsletter.
Ring to discuss tuition for you or your child, or send an e-mail from the link below.
Ring to discuss tuition for you or your child, or send an e-mail from the link below.
