Lunchtime Concert: Christine Wang, violin, and Rachel Thomson, piano

Join us for Ravel’s Violin and Piano Sonata No. 2 and de Falla’s Suite Populaire Espagnole based on “Siete canciones populares españolas,” along with Ginastera’s hauntingly beautiful Pampeana No. 1, Op. 16 – Rhapsody for Violin and Piano.

Christine Wang, violin

Christine has been a member of the second violin section of New Zealand Symphony Orchestra since 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Eastman School of Music and Master of Music at Rice University, studying under Oleh Krysa and Kathleen Winkler respectively. Before coming to New Zealand, Christine was Assistant Concertmaster of San Antonio Symphony and has worked in orchestras in the United States and Australia.

Rachel Thomson, piano

Rachel Thomson was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, and grew up in Wellington where she began her piano studies with her mother. She went on to study with Judith Clark, graduating from Victoria University of Wellington before continuing her studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music in the United States, where she gained a doctorate in piano performance. Rachel regularly performs with some of the country’s leading musicians. She has toured on numerous occasions for Chamber Music New Zealand and is a member of various chamber ensembles including the Koru Trio. She has worked as an orchestral pianist with the NZSO, Orchestra Wellington, and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Rachel is also active as a teacher, adjudicator and accompanist, and is a music examiner for Trinity College London.