Annie Hunt was born in and grew up in Whanganui. She was a member of the NZ Youth Orchestra from 1971 to 1976. She gained an Honours Diploma in Music from Auckland University and was a member of the Auckland Symphonia (now the Philharmonia) for two years. She then travelled to Britain on an Arts Council grant for postgraduate studies on the cello at the Guildhall in London. During her time in London, she combined teaching, freelance orchestral work and chamber music playing. She moved to North Wales in 1990 with her partner and son, where she spent 25 years working as the Lower String Teacher for Wrexham, combining that with professional freelance work in orchestras, quartets and theatres. She was a member of Liverpool Sinfonia and other freelance orchestras in Wales. During these years she gained a Certificate of teaching from ABRSM and also became a qualified classroom teacher.
She moved back to Whanganui in March 2017 from the UK and is currently the String Teacher at four schools in Whanganui and two in Marton, plus gives private tuition. She has set up and conducts the Whanganui Schools’ String Ensemble which is based at Whanganui Collegiate School and is open to all string players in the area. She also performs in concerts and plays every year with the NZ Opera School.
