Long-Time Violinist and Cellist Resign from New Zealand String Quartet

Following a misconduct investigation, Helene Pohl and Rolf Gjelsten have left the quartet with immediate effect 

Married couple Helene Pohl and Rolf Gjelsten, the first violinist and cellist of the New Zealand String Quartet for the last three decades, have resigned from the group with immediate effect following employment investigations into their past conduct. 

According to Waikato Times, Pohl and Gjelsten also served as faculty members at Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Music, where the NZ String Quartet is in residence. 

As of the investigation, the pair acknowledged that during their time at the school, they failed to manage “serious and sensitive issues” appropriately — in particular, conflict of interest matters. 

A representative from the Victoria University of Wellington told The Violin Channel that "Helene Pohl and Rolf Gjelsten taught at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington for about two decades, however, they are not employees of the University. They participated in teaching programmes at the University as part of arrangements in a Memorandum of Understanding with the New Zealand String Quartet (NZSQ) Trust. The NZSQ Trust is their employer."

"When the relevant Dean first became aware of serious issues of concern, these were raised with the NZSQ Trust and the NZSQ Trust undertook an independent employment investigation," they continued. "Following the outcome of this investigation, Helene Pohl and Rolf Gjelsten will not be returning to New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī."

"We are fully committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all our students. As part of this commitment and following the outcome of the NZSQ investigation we will now conduct our own review of the circumstances that led up to our raising concerns with the NZSQ Trust."

For privacy reasons, they could not answer specific questions about the individuals who raised the issues to protect their identity.

“Helene and Rolf have offered their resignations, which [we have] accepted,” reads a statement from the NZ String Quartet Trust Board, according to The New Zealand Herald. “All parties want to acknowledge and apologize to those affected by these issues. As a result of these issues, Helene and Rolf felt it was in the best interests of everyone involved that they resigned with immediate effect. Their 30 years service with the Quartet is acknowledged.”

Established in 1987, the quartet is New Zealand’s only full-time string quartet. The group has since removed Pohl and Gjelsten from its website — the only two remaining musicians of the group are violist Gillian Ansell and violinist Peter Clark.

“Where possible the Quartet intends to fulfill its remaining 2024 engagements,” the statement added, “and to present its 2025 season with the addition of special guest artists as it commences the recruitment process for new permanent players to join the ensemble.”