International cellist Daniel Yeadon joins NZ Barok in Wellington and Auckland this week for its second concert series this year. Yeadon will play Haydn’s first Cello Concerto, the work's first performance on period instruments in this country. The concert also includes Mozart’s Divertimento in F alongside works by the brothers CPE and WF Bach.

In the latest episode Upbeat producer Zoë George finds out about the unwritten rules of attending a blues jam session with recording artist and jam organiser Julie Lamb. Can I borrow someone else’s instrument? Can I perform whatever I want? When’s the best time to do a solo? When have I outstayed my welcome on stage?

Cello soloist Lavinnia Rae is a member of both the New Zealand School of Music  Orchestra and Wellington Youth Orchestra. Euan Murdoch the departing head of the NZSM brings together the two orchestras for a final hurrah.

The New Zealand String Quartet has just returned from touring the United Kingdom and Canada. Violist Gillian Ansell explains how new addition Monique Lapins is bringing a fresh approach to the quartet, and talks about what to expect from the quartet's current Heartland Classic tour that combines classical favourites with New Zealand compositions.

Jeremy Olds is off to Columbia University in New York to complete a Master of Arts in journalism, with a focus on arts and culture. The 26 year old has already made a name for himself here, twice winning junior feature writer of the year at the Canon Media Awards for his work in Sunday magazine.

Peter Hoar reviews the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s semi-staged performance of Verdi's Otello,  featuring famed New Zealand tenor Simon O’Neill. The opera, which Verdi came out of retirement to compose, retells Shakespeare's play Othello in a moving and primal operatic tour de force.

Canterbury ex-pat Phil Keoghan (host of US reality television show The Amazing Race) returns to Christchurch for the world premiere of his new film documentary, Le Ride, at the New Zealand International Film Festival. Le Ride follows Phil and his friend Ben Cornell as they attempt to recreate the original route of the 1928 Tour de France. The  documentary was made as part of Phil’s determination to raise the profile of New Zealand champion biker Harry Watson, originally from Christchurch.

NZTrio and young British clarinet virtuoso Julian Bliss are half way through their nationwide tour for Chamber Music New Zealand. Elizabeth Kerr reviews their Wellington  concert featuring Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time along with a new, other-worldly companion piece There may be light by NZ composer Ross Harris.

The Joffrey Ballet School is auditioning in New Zealand for the first time. The New York based academy offers training from classical through to contemporary and jazz and prepares dancers for professional careers. Artistic Director Era Jouravlev and Producer, International programs Catherine Peila talk about how they will select dancers for the school.

Mark Menzies recently became Head of Music Performance at the University of Canterbury; he’s doing a balancing act juggling his new role in the Garden City with his performance commitments in California. The viola/violin virtuoso has been described by the Los Angeles Times as an “extraordinary musician”.