Love Song pianist: Hilda Bester

South African born Hilda Bester relocated to Tauranga in 2016 after 19 years in Nelson, where she was actively involved in the music scene as a music teacher and accompanist. As an accredited teacher of piano, organ and music theory, she taught at Nelson College, Garin College, and the Nelson School of Music. Her accompanist roles as pianist and organist included being co-accompanist of the Nelson Male Voice Choir for 12 years, accompanist of the Stoke Ladies Choir, occasional accompaniment for the National Male Voice Choir of New Zealand and the Nelson Civic Choir, as well as several local musical productions of the Nelson Youth Theatre. 

She held the role of principal organist at Nelson's Christ Church Cathedral for several periods, where she did a Praise Be recording for TVNZ in 2008, as well as a Christmas Service recording for Radio New Zealand in 2015. She also played the organ at St. John's Methodist Church and All Saints Anglican Church. Her qualifications include B.Mus (Hons), M.Mus, Diploma for Church Organists, and Diploma of Teaching. She is registered with the Institute of Registered Music Teachers of New Zealand.
 

Hilda Bester performed in Love Songs the Scholars Pro Musica (now Scholars Baroque Aotearoa) second concert of the 2017 season.