2026 Tour Day 5: Waiheke Island & Our First Tour Concert

Hi everyone! My name is Elizabeth, and I play the viola.

Following a long day of travel and rehearsal, we woke up bright and early for our ferry ride to Waiheke Island. Before we headed off, I went to the gym, showered, and ate breakfast. The hotel’s breakfast included an immense array of food, drinks, and even ice cream! I really enjoyed the fern-shaped waffle and the fresh fruit offered at the buffet.

We arrived at the port by bus and then boarded the ferry for a laughter-filled, windy ride to the island. Throughout the morning, I spent my time making new friends, taking pictures, and basking in New Zealand’s natural beauty.

After disembarking, we visited the Waiheke Musical Museum and Gallery. I appreciated learning about and listening to New Zealand’s musical history. Being a musician gave me a greater appreciation for this exhibit. No matter your level of musical knowledge, if you’re visiting Waiheke, this museum is a must-see.

After the museum, we had free time to spend with friends and explore the island. We got poke bowls at Nippy Bites and award-winning gelato for dessert. One of my favorite unscheduled parts of the day was meeting Waiheke’s many animals and walking along the beach. I found joy in conversing with the locals and learning more about their hometown and culture.

After a successful day trip, we headed back to the mainland to prepare for our concert. That evening, we performed with the Auckland Youth Orchestra (AYO) and Sistema Aotearoa. The concert featured a Pasifika Medley, the first movement of Symphony No. 9, Concerto for Two Trumpets, and our regular program.

The joint concert was a lot of fun. It was amazing to see how music transcends culture; I felt so connected with the other orchestras, even though we had met for the first time earlier that day!

This is my first year in any GTCYS orchestra, and I’m super excited to see what lies ahead down under! So far, the tour has been a life-changing experience, and I know I will return home with a newfound appreciation and passion for music.

New student blogs are posted every day! See what we’ve shared so far.

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Learn more about GTCYS’ 2026 tour to New Zealand and Australia.