The Bio
New Zealand born conductor Hamish McKeich has forged an impressive international conducting career alongside a passionate loyalty for developing the repertoire of contemporary and experimental music.
He has established an acclaimed partnership with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and is currently their Principal Conductor in Residence. Among the many projects he has curated, the NZSO “Shed Series” featuring a redefined way orchestra’s interact with the audience, has met with critical acclaim for its concept and innovative programming.
In 2019 Hamish McKeich was also appointed Principal Conductor of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
McKeich has performed in New Zealand, Australia, China, the Netherlands, Italy, England, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Armenia and Lebanon. Working regularly in Europe, and with all the major orchestras in New Zealand and Australia, he has given over 100 world premieres of new works and is also chief conductor of the contemporary ensemble Stroma.
He has worked with many orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Asko Ensemble of Holland, Metropole Orkest, Tasmanian Symphony, Stroma Ensemble, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Filarmonica Italiana, Adelaide Symphony, Armenian Philharmonic, Melbourne Symphony, Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra, Queensland Symphony, West Australian Symphony, 175 East, Elision Ensemble, Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony, Dunedin Symphony and the EX Orchestra, amongst others.
Hamish McKeich studied conducting with legendary teacher and pedagogue Professor Ilya Musin and also prominent conductors Valery Gergiev, Sian Edwards and Peter Eötvös. McKeich was a finalist of the Gergiev Festival Conductors Masterclass, under the guidance of Professor Ilya Musin and Valery Gergiev. He started his career as bassoonist and at aged 19 became Associate Principal Bassoon with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and thereafter working with orchestra’s in Britain and Holland.
Highlights of Hamish McKeich’s immediate upcoming engagements include concerts and recordings with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Royal New Zealand Ballet, New Zealand Opera and Stroma, Auckland Philharmonia, Sydney Symphony, Adelaide Symphony, Tasmanian Symphony and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.
In 2012 Hamish McKeich was awarded a Douglas Lilburn Trust citation for services to New Zealand music.
