
Arna Morton
Violin
One of Aotearoa New Zealand's most versatile violinists, Dr. Arna Morton is a deeply passionate performer, music educator, and composer, comfortable on practically any stage as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, improviser, and commercial event performer.
Following the completion of both Bachelor and Master of Musical Arts degrees at the New Zealand School of Music, Arna completed her PhD in Violin Performance at the University of Melbourne. Using a critical, reflexive approach, Arna's PhD research examines the development of a highly-personal interpretive methodology that aims to create personal authenticity in her musical interpretations and performances, with a significant focus on Britten's Violin Concerto, which she performed with the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 2016 as winner of the 2015 MCM Concerto Competition. Arna was also joint-winner of the 2013/14 NZ National Concerto Competition, going on to perform both Szymanowski's First Violin Concerto and Ravel's Tzigane with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.
In 2021, Arna won the position of Principal 2nd Violin with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and is a founding member of Morton Trio alongside her horn-playing husband Alex Morton and pianist Liam Wooding who, in 2024, recorded and celebrated the physical release of their self-titled debut album, with the digital version due to hit streaming platforms in June 2025. Arna freelances regularly with most of New Zealand's leading orchestras, including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Wellington, and has also recently performed as a Guest Artist with the New Zealand String Quartet during their South Island tour. Arna is also a renowned music educator through Morton Music: a joint studio she shares with her husband located inside The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts.