Mrs Val Thorburn, of Tauranga, QSM, for services to music education
Mrs Thorburn helped develop the Suzuki method for teaching violin in New Zealand and is a leading senior teacher. She has been a member, teacher trainer, and President of the Auckland and New Zealand branches of the Suzuki Institute (NZSI). She was part of NZSI’s Professional Advisory Group and Teacher Trainers Group and established its Tauranga Branch. She has been an examiner for the New Zealand Music Examination Board and the Australian Music Examination Board. She taught violin at a number of Auckland schools. Mrs Thorburn was also a member of the Auckland Radio Orchestra and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.