Heather Masefield

AIRMT, NZAATD

Heather Masefield has been a member of the New Zealand Accordion Association committee since 1981 and Editor of the NZAA Newsletter since 1990. She is the Secretary of the Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand since 1981 and held the position of Institute of Registered Music Teachers Examination Board Secretary from 1993 to 1998.

Heather Masefield has been a Co-Director of the North Shore Accordion Orchestra since 1977, training members of the Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra for their 9 overseas concert tours from 1979 to 1996, once to China, 4 times to the USA & Canada, and 4 times to Europe. This orchestra achieved many standing ovations all over Europe and North America.

Since 1996 other accordion groups conducted by Heather Masefield have toured 7 times to Australia and to China. On 3 occasions the Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra was named a New Zealand Cultural Ambassador in recognition of its promotion of tourism to New Zealand. Heather was also a member of the Radio New Zealand Advisory Committee for five years.

Students have competed internationally in Europe, USA and Australia. Five students becoming the New Zealand Solo Champion. Three ex students are now AIRMT, eight others are teaching accordion.

Heather Masefield has been an adjudicator at accordion competitions in New Zealand, Australia, USA and in 2004, she adjudicated at Citta di Castelfidardo & Coupe Mondiale.

Being the youngest of Allan and Marie Jones' children ensured that Heather would grow up surrounded by accordions with many top accordionists frequently visiting the Joneses home and the example of her two older brothers Maurice Jones and Harley Jones.

Heather had plenty of motivation to excel on an accordion, winning many age restricted classes in national competitions, recording for radio and at twelve years she became the youngest finalist for the "New Faces" Talent Quest on TV.

While still at school, Heather took her first pupil on the accordion and this commenced a teaching career that she later made full time.

Now her family are involved with the accordion with Amber (left) and Grayson (right). Both are playing in accordion orchestras and Grayson represented New Zealand in 2005 in the Coupe Mondiale Junior Virtuoso Entertainment Category. Amber has just finished her Business Degree while working for Titano Accordions (NZ) Ltd with her uncle Maurice Jones.

Contact details:
53 Kitchener Road Milford, Auckland 1309 New Zealand	Phone: +64-9-486-3012 Fax: +64-9-486-3012 email: heathermasefield@yahoo.com