Lauren Jack is a freelance violist based in Pōneke. Originally a violinist, her violin teacher Lynley Culliford and NZSQ members Helene Pohl and Gillian Ansell encouraged Lauren to play viola in a string quartet, which won the NZCT chamber contest and made Lauren fall in love with the instrument, leading her to complete a Bachelor of Music (Hons) in Viola Performance under the tutelage of Gillian Ansell. Her work as a freelance musician includes playing as sub-principal viola in Orchestra Wellington, teaching violin and viola at Arohanui Strings and Queen Margaret’s college, playing in various ensembles in festivals including the Fringe Festival, Cubadupa, and Classical on Cuba, as well as joining the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as a casual musician, and working as a presenter on RNZ Concert. In every one of these environments she is always working with the belief that everyone deserves to participate in music making and appreciation.
Lauren Jack
