GENERAL MANAGER

Jess Deacon is an ambitious and values-driven arts leader who stands at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and storytelling. As General Manager of the Orpheus Choir of Wellington, she combines artistic insight with communications expertise to grow audiences, build partnerships, and strengthen the choir’s impact within New Zealand’s arts ecosystem.

As a cross-genre vocalist and songwriter, Jess draws inspiration from jazz, folk, soul, classic rock, and choral music. She has performed across Aotearoa, recorded and composed original works, and fronted numerous bands and creative projects. Her lifelong connection to music was supported by a diversely musical family, including mother Margaret Medlyn and aunt Helen Medlyn. In 2025 she appeared as a headline act at the 2025 National Jazz Festival in Tauranga.

Beyond her own music, Jess is a seasoned communications strategist with more than a decade of experience helping arts and business organisations clarify their stories and lead with purpose. She guided Wellington’s iconic Hannah Playhouse through a brand refresh and strategic transformation, and founded Mostly Music, a growing community hub for music and musicians in Kāpiti and Horowhenua.

Her governance and business acumen are strengthened by her role as Deputy Chair of the Kāpiti Business Chamber, where she advocates for the arts as an essential part of regional economic vitality. Driven by a deep belief that music and the arts are vital to our collective wellbeing, Jess continues to champion their power to enrich both culture and community across Aotearoa.

CHAIR

Debbie has held numerous senior management roles, primarily in central and local government. She is currently runs her own consultancy, and maintains a number of other work portfolios: trainer, facilitator and mediator. Debbie is of Ngāi Tahu descent with a commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and understanding of tikanga Māori.

She holds an MBA from Victoria University of Wellington and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. She has a considerable experience on non-profit boards, including Deputy Chair of Transparency International New Zealand; Oversight Committee member for AUT’s Employee Advisory and Resolutions Service; former Chair of Volunteer Wellington; former Board member of Volunteering New Zealand; former President of Zonta Club of Wellington; former Trustee of New Horizons Trust; former Board member of IABC Wellington chapter; former Chair of GAP/Rainbow Wellington; former President of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators.

Debbie is also an advisor to He Ringa Āwhina Wellington Charity Hospital Board and former President of the Zonta Club of Wellington.

BOARD MEMBER

Alastair is a consultant with the law firm Buddle Findlay, following a 29 career as a partner at the firm. He spent 9 years as a diplomat with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade before that. His governance experience includes current roles as a board member of the Natural Hazards Commission, Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund, Co-operative Life Ltd, Invercargill Airport Ltd, and Stroke Aotearoa. He is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors.

Alastair grew up in Invercargill, where he sang in a church choir and school musicals. He joined Orpheus in 2019. Before that, he was a member and treasurer of a community choir in Wellington for 10 years.

BOARD MEMBER

Rachael Dewar is the founder and principal of Rachael Dewar Law. A senior family lawyer, with over 30 years’ experience in the field, Rachael is also a long-standing member of the Wellington Family Law Committee of the NZ Law Society and has served on the Executive Committee of the Family Law Section.

Outside of work, other than singing with Orpheus, Rachael is active in the local community. She volunteers at the Soup Kitchen and is an avid reader and dedicated book club member. Rachael is a Trustee and Board member of several other entities including the Girls Friendly Society Inc and the Solicitors Benevolent Fund.

BOARD MEMBER

Tamara is a dedicated and experienced risk and governance professional with over 20 years experience working in the UK and New Zealand. Tamara regularly advises boards on complex risk, regulatory, and governance matters.

Tamara has previously served on the Scouts NZ board and has a profound love for music and a commitment to the Wellington community. Tamara is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and is also a member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand

BOARD MEMBER

Philip has recently graduated with a PhD in Engineering from Victoria University of Wellington and works as a Software Developer and Choral Conductor in Wellington. He sings with many choirs around Te Whanganui a Tara and Aotearoa, and was a member of the New Zealand Youth Choir that was named Choir of the World at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in 2025.

He has previously held positions on the executive for the Wellington Youth Choir and co-founded the New Zealand Students’ Space Association.

BOARD MEMBER

Tom grew up in the UK, singing in church, school and college choirs, later joining community choirs before emigrating to Aotearoa New Zealand in 1995. Briefly a member of the Orpheus in the mid-2000s, he re-joined the basses post-lockdown in 2020.

He works as an audiovisual archivist at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, based at their Motutawa Avalon campus. He lives with his wife Viv in Mount Victoria and is a keen pianist, Wikipedian and e-biker.

BOARD MEMBER

Eleanore’s love of choral music began in secondary school and continued through her Music studies at Victoria University of Wellington. She sang with the Royal Choral Society in London and later joined the Orpheus for a number of years before taking time out to care for family.

Now reconnected with the choir in a governance role, she brings not only her passion for music but also her commercial background as a senior executive in the Energy sector. Eleanore is committed to supporting the choir’s future and ensuring its continued excellence and sustainability.

Christine Pearce ONZM — Artistic Committee

Jane Shallcrass — Choir Committee

Brent Stewart — Events Committee