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Grammy award nominated American jazz singer Karrin Allyson is in New Zealand to perform with the Roger Fox Big Band. She tells Eva about her transition from classical to jazz, telling stories through music, and conducting her own performances.

Auckland Chamber Orchestra conductor Peter Scholes talks about his series of free concerts at Epsom's Ray Freedman Arts Centre. This year he concentrates on New Zealand composers including two world premieres.

Australian violinist Monique Lapins is stepping into her new role this week as one quarter of the New Zealand String Quartet. She replaces Douglas Beilman as 2nd violinist. The two time Asia Pacific Chamber Music competition finalist also plays in the contemporary music group Ensemble Gô with her partner, marimba player Naoto Segawa.

Local body politicians have the ability to shape the community socially and physically. The beautification of Hamilton has been overseen in recent years by Mayor Julie Hardaker. She's stepping down from the role this year and discusses her experiences helping the city develop culturally.

When is the right time to open a packet of lollies? Can I sing along? When do I say "break a leg"? In the next installment of The Art of Etiquette Musical Theatre actor Matthew Pike - who's playing Che in Evita on in Auckland - gives Zoe George the inside scoop on being a great musical theatre audience.

Betsy Erickson is ballet master for the San Francisco Ballet. She's been coming to New Zealand for 12 years teaching the art form to the next generation at the New Zealand School of Dance. She speaks with Zoë George about the latest trends in dance, whether there's a move away from classical ballet, and whether barre fitness classes are a good thing.

New Zealand Opera's new production of Mozart's The Magic Flute opened on Saturday at the St James in Wellington. The cast is a mix of International and New Zealand singers, including young English Soprano Ruth Jenkins-Robertsson. Rachel Hyde assesses if she hit the right notes with the audience?

The city of Hamilton has recruited artist Hayley King, aka Flox, to turn its Central Library's bare walls into an urban garden. Her work also adorns stationary and splash backs in kitchens that feature in home renovation reality television shows. Haus of Flox, her Auckland based showroom is always abuzz with new projects blurring the line between art and craft.

Gael Newton - Foundation Photography Curator Art Gallery of NSW and former Senior Curator of Photography National Gallery of Australia - is the opening speaker for Teaching A Butterfly to Swim: Douglas Wright's dance-theatre, photography by John Savage. She looks down the camera lens and explains the complex simplicity of photography.

Mozart's The Magic Flute opens tomorrow at the St James in Wellington. New Zealand Opera has been able to attract some big names including UK based soprano Ruth Jenkins-Róbertsson. She tells Eva what it's like to play a character people love to hate.