The first time Gabriella Schuitemaker sang the solo Once in Royal David's City, it was, in her words, both exciting and nerve-racking. It is a moment she still treasures, one of many from nearly 13 years in St Peter's Cathedral Choir.
Gabriella joined the Junior Choir at five years old, following her mum and her sister Kezia, and moved into the Senior Choir at 12. She was two-and-a-half when she picked up her first violin, a 1/32-size instrument barely bigger than her forearm, after starting at Twinkle Time.
"Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and growing up within the Cathedral Choir community has been incredibly special."
Gabriella, now Head Girl at Waikato Diocesan School for Girls, calls her time in the choir an "amazing journey".
"I have been nurtured by the fabulous choir members around me and have been given so many opportunities to develop as a musician."
Among those opportunities was the chance to sing solos, something she says pushed her further than she expected.
"The choir has encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, particularly through the opportunity to sing solos, which has helped me grow in both confidence and musicality."
Some of her strongest memories are tied to Christmas. Christingle services on Christmas Eve. Staying awake for midnight Mass as an acolyte.
"It was one of the rare times I could stay awake that late and the Whitbourn Carolae mass setting the choir sings at Christmas is magic."
Of that Once in Royal David's City solo, she says, "It remains a moment that I will always treasure."
Gabriella points to Director of Music Rachael Griffiths-Hughes and organist Anne Cleaver Holm, along with fellow choristers and mentors.
"Their kindness, support, guidance and passion for music have motivated me to continue challenging myself and pursuing new opportunities."
From the Cathedral, music has taken her further than she imagined. She was selected for the New Zealand Secondary Students' Choir, has sung barbershop as part of the Upper Voice National Quartet Champions, played violin in Cathedral cantatas, and performed with the New Zealand Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra.
"Music has allowed me to form lifelong friendships and experience incredible opportunities that I never imagined when I first joined the choir."
These days her schedule is full. Alongside choir and barbershop, she is concertmaster of the Dio orchestra, Cycling Captain, and a member of the First XI hockey team.
"Balancing rehearsals, performances, sport training, cycle races and hockey games and schoolwork can be busy, but I genuinely enjoy every aspect of it."
"Music and sport both provide different challenges and opportunities, and I value the teamwork, discipline and sense of community that each brings."
With school drawing to a close, Gabriella is aware of how much these years have given her.
"I feel lucky to have all these opportunities - and am sad to think I am not at school for that much longer."
Whatever comes after school, she wants music to stay part of it.
"I hope that music will always remain an important part of my life, regardless of the career path I choose."
"Whatever I do, I hope to stay connected to the musical communities that have shaped so much of who I am."
The Cathedral hopes more young people will get the same chance Gabriella did. The Dame Malvina Major Music Centre, part of the Saving Waikato Cathedral appeal, will create a dedicated space for music, learning and connection at the heart of the Cathedral, giving the next generation of choristers room to find their voice, build confidence, and discover where music might take them.