Gareth Hoddinott grew up in New Zealand and began playing the trumpet and cornet at an early age. In New Zealand, Gareth has performed with the National Youth Orchestra, the National Youth Brass Band, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Dunedin Symphony Orchestra as principal trumpet and was a member of the New Zealand Army Band for five years.

Gareth studied music at the New Zealand School of Music and Otago University gaining an honours degree in 2006. During further instrumental studies at Canterbury University in Christchurch New Zealand, Gareth became interested in early music under the guidance of Iaan Wilson and began studying the baroque trumpet. In the United Kingdom, Gareth has continued his studies focusing on playing the ventless natural trumpet with David Staff and Richard Thomas at the Dartington International Summer School and with Jean-François Madeuf in Switzerland.

As a freelance musician Gareth has played with many ensembles in Europe including The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Vox Luminis, Le Concert Lorrain, Spiritato, Wroclaw Baroque Orchestra (Poland), Ars Eloquentiae, Solomon’s Knot and the Altenburg Ensemble.