Diedre Irons, Wellington, ONZM
For services to music. Ms Irons is a concert pianist who has played extensively in many countries and has been a teacher of classical performance. She moved to New Zealand in 1977 and has made numerous appearances with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. She has appeared many times on radio and television and has made a number of recordings, including recording the five Beethoven piano concertos and Beethoven’s transcription of the Violin Concerto. She taught at the University of Canterbury from 1992 to 2003 and has recently retired as Head of classical performance at the New Zealand School of Music to play full-time. Ms Irons has previously received the Insignia of a Member of the Order of the British Empire.