The New Zealand String Quartet Trust has announced the resignations of violinist Helene Pohl and cellist Rolf Gjelsten from the New Zealand String Quartet (NZSQ) after the initiation of an independent employment investigation into their past conduct.
Pohl and Gjelsten, who are married, have been integral members of the quartet for 30 years. The ensemble serves as the ensemble-in-residence at Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington (VUW), where they also hold teaching positions at the university’s School of Music.
In a statement, the NZSQ Trust expressed: “Helene and Rolf have acknowledged that during their teaching at VUW’s Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music, they did not appropriately manage serious and sensitive issues, particularly regarding conflict of interest matters, and that their conduct did not align with the values of the New Zealand String Quartet Trust and VUW’s Staff Conduct Policy.
“All parties wish to acknowledge and apologize to those impacted by these issues. Consequently, Helene and Rolf felt it was in the best interest of everyone involved for them to resign with immediate effect. Their 30 years of service with the Quartet are recognized.”
The remaining members of the ensemble are second violinist Peter Clark, who joined in April 2024 and took on his role in June, and violist Gillian Ansell, the sole founding member still with the quartet since its inception in 1987.
Guest artists will fill the positions of Pohl and Gjelsten for the rest of the season while the quartet begins the search for new permanent members.
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