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      • Our History
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North Canterbury Academy of Music
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Musical Director
    • Leadership Team
    • Our Tutors
  • Enrolment
    • Enrolment
    • Classes
    • Fees
    • Awards
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Events
    • News
    • Calendar
  • Gallery
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • FAQs
  • Vacancies

Musical Director

Alexandra Hope Watson

Alexandra is a performer, composer, and lyricist with a passion for both classical and contemporary music. She is currently studying towards a Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition at the University of Canterbury, following a Master of Arts with Distinction in Performance and Composition. Alongside her musical achievements, Alexandra holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, reflecting her diverse academic interests.


Alexandra recently received funding from Creative New Zealand’s Early Career Fund and won the 2023 UC Lilburn Composers Competition with her song Tell Me. Alexandra's musical A Magical Musical Mystery, inspired by the nonsense verse of Lewis Carroll, premiered with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in September 2024. Alexandra is currently developing two musicals: Cleo, based on the life of Cleopatra, and The First 8, which tells the story of the first women employed by the Air Transport Auxiliary in World War II. The First 8 will premiere at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in March 2025.


A multi-instrumentalist, Alexandra plays piano, violin, cello, flute, harp, and voice, giving her a strong understanding of orchestration across genres. She regularly performs as a soloist and with the CSO Chorus and NZ Opera Chorus, having sung in the chorus for Verdi’s Macbeth and Rossini’s Le Comte Ory. Alexandra has also participated in masterclasses with Jonathan Lemalu and Amanda Echalaz. 


As Musical Director of the North Canterbury Academy of Music, Alexandra is passionate about nurturing young talent, while also pursuing her other interests, including national level trampolining and aerobatics. 

Alexandra Hope Watson

Contact: musicaldirector@ncam.ac.nz


Rangiora Town Hall, Level 1 Studios, Rangiora, 7400

Email: enquiry@ncam.ac.nz | musicaldirector@ncam.ac.nz


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