Violinist Helene Pohl and cellist Rolf Gjelsten have resigned with immediate effect over conflicts of interest associated with their teaching
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), following initiation of an independent employment investigation into the past conduct of the pair.
Married couple Pohl and Gjelsten have been members of the quartet for 30 years. The quartet is ensemble-in-residence at the Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington (VUW), where members take on associated teaching roles at the university’s School of Music.
In a statement, the NZSQ Trust said: ’Helene and Rolf have acknowledged that, in the course of their teaching at VUW’s Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music, they failed to manage serious and sensitive issues appropriately, in particular relating to conflict of interest matters, and that their conduct fell short of maintaining the values of the New Zealand String Quartet Trust and VUW’s Staff Conduct Policy.
’All parties want to acknowledge and apologise to those affected by these issues. As a result of these issues, Helene and Rolf felt it was in the best interests of everyone involved that they resigned with immediate effect. Their 30 years’ service with the Quartet is acknowledged.’
The ensemble is left with second violinist Peter Clark, who was appointed in April 2024 and assumed the role in June, and violist Gillian Ansell, the sole founding member from 1987.
Pohl and Gjelsten will be replaced by guest artists for the remainder of the season as the quartet begins the search for new permanent players.
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