Given Tessa Petersen started lugging her mother's violin case around the house when she was 3 years old, it is no wonder she became a violinist.
''I always wanted to be a violinist. Apart from a brief foray into opera singing, violin has been my passion all the way through.''
It was that determination that has seen the Dunedin violinist - one of four daughters of DNA researcher Emeritus Prof George Petersen - travel the world playing in orchestras, as a soloist and in chamber groups.
But it all began in Dunedin at age 4 when she started lessons and she credits her Dunedin School of Music teachers Paul Wheeler and Richard Madden and conductor Aart Brusse, who was at the helm of Saturday morning orchestras, for their inspiration and encouragement.
Her parents also encouraged her, taking
her to see the Southern Sinfonia when she was only 6 years old, and by 16 she was playing with the orchestra, rising through the ranks to be principal of the second violins while a student at the University of Otago.
She studied violin at the university and was leader of the National Youth Orchestra, before she headed overseas to study at the Royal College of Music in London, thanks to a British Commonwealth Scholarship.
After graduating, she became a freelance musician playing in festivals and concerts in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia and the United States.
She returned briefly to New Zealand for a short stint as the eighth concertmaster of the Sinfonia before returning overseas.
In 2006, she and her family returned to Dunedin to settle down and she became a regular member of the violin section of the Sinfonia.
This month she was appointed the 11th concertmaster of the sinfonia, filling the spot left by the retirement of Sydney Manowitz.
As concertmaster she will be the conduit between the orchestra and conductor.
Sinfonia general manager Philippa Harris said the orchestra was thrilled with the appointment.
''Given the orchestra will be entering its 50th year next year, what better way to start than with the appointment as concertmaster of such a talented player, who has had a strong connection with the orchestra and the city. Her appointment serves to illustrate the outstanding musical talent Dunedin produces.''
Ms Petersen said she was delighted to get the role, as she wanted to give back to the community she grew up in.
''It's a very special thrill for me because I care so deeply about the orchestra and music. This is the best possible way for me to share the experience I gained overseas.''
It was a role she would grow into and one she looked forward to giving all her energy and experience to, she said.
She believed the orchestra had an important place in Dunedin and in its ability to train young musicians.
''Regional orchestras have a critical role and deserve as much support as government and local government can give them. When art is thriving in a city, a city is thriving.''
The orchestra itself was a special group giving both professional musicians and those who worked ''day jobs'' a chance to come together and perform.
''It provides a freshness, an enthusiasm and drive for true music-making.''
The camaraderie of the orchestra was remarked on many times by visiting musicians, soloists and conductors.
''They say how much they enjoy playing with a group so enthusiastic and passionate about the music.''
Alongside her performance career, Ms Petersen also taught violin in the UK and US before joining Otago University on her return to Dunedin as a violin lecturer.
''It keeps me fresh as an artist.''
It also enabled her students to see what was possible as performers, she said.
Having a teaching role at the university as well as the concertmaster role was not unheard of and ''made a lot of sense''.
While she had led the orchestra as acting concertmaster several times this year, her first performance since being appointed will be in December when the orchestra joins City Choir Dunedin for a performance of Handel's Messiah in the Dunedin Town Hall.
''I'm really looking forward to it,'' Ms Petersen said.
