Ange comes to the CANZ with a background steeped in the Arts industry and believes she ‘came of age’ in the vibrant Wellington music and arts scene at one of the most incredible times (late 90’s). Starting out as retail manager of Real Groovy in Wellington in the early 2000’s, she soon after met her now husband, NZ composer/musician Warren Maxwell, and quickly shifted into managing his career in Film/TV composition as well as two of his bands, Little Bushman & Trinity Roots, all while raising a young family. Over the last 20 years Ange managed bookings for the band at some incredible NZ & Australian music & arts festivals, one or two that our CANZ CEO, Arne Herrmann, managed! It was in this role that Ange really developed her love for all things Arts Administration and she likes to think of herself as a creative’s Creator of things.

She has also worked as Artist Liaison for the NZ Art Show and in 2012, alongside her husband, co-founded the Wairarapa’s first ever, exclusively live music/performance venue & bar, King St Live (KSL). During their three-year stint with KSL, Ange managed the venue’s artistic bookings, which included hosting Dave Dobbyn, Katchafire, Tiki Taane, the Shapeshifter Sound System, NZ Comedy Fest shows & Pokey LaFarge, and many other community-based shows.

After taking a break from the music and arts industry in 2015, her role as NZSSC Manager marks her excited return to an industry that has always held a special place in her heart.

She currently resides in Featherston, South Wairarapa, with her husband and their two teenage children. In her spare time, she loves pottering around her garden, lounging in her hammock with a crossword or singing karaoke with friends.

Benjamin Madden is a proudly born-and-bred Dunedin tenor trained by Pat Scally-Richardson and Judy Bellingham. Since finishing vocal study at the University of Otago, Benjamin has been working as a freelance singer, a choral director and private singing tutor in Dunedin. Ben currently teaches singing and directs choirs for Otago Boys’ High School and Otago Girls’ High School, and teaches instruments (guitar, drums, keyboard and singing) at Abbotsford Primary School and Mornington Primary School. Benjamin has enjoyed the opportunity to work with the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir as a conducting intern, guest vocal tutor and now as Vocal Consultant. Benjamin is an alumni of the NZSSC, the New Zealand Youth Choir, and a current member of Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir. Benjamin works with the New Zealand Choral Federation as a mentor for primary school singing leaders as part of their ‘Singing Matters’ programme. Benjamin was delighted to work with City Choir Dunedin in a vocal coach capacity in 2020. Outside of singing and teaching music Benjamin is an avid endurance athlete and rock climber, enjoying running distances up to and beyond the marathon.