Paul Champion

Paul has been Principal clarinettist with Orchestra Victoria since 2004. During this time he has appeared as a soloist with OV in Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, Rossini’s Introduction, Theme and Variations and Weber’s Concertino. He has been Guest Principal Clarinet with the Australian World Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. Paul currently teaches at the University of Melbourne, Monash University, and in his private studio.

Paul was born in Sydney and studied with Mark Walton, Head of Woodwind Sydney Conservatorium. After leaving school Paul began studying Commerce at the University of New South Wales and began learning from Frank Celata, Associate Principal of the Sydney Symphony. In 1997 he gained his Licentiate of Music (LMus) Diploma through the AMEB, a year later the Fellowship of Music (FMus) Diploma, and during this time recorded a CD of Australian clarinet music by composers including Dulcie Holland and Eric Gross.

He has studied in London with teachers including Andrew Marriner, Anthony Pike and Julian Farrell and with French virtuoso Paul Meyer. In 1998 and 1999 played in the Sydney Symphony’s Sinfonia program and from 1999 as a casual player with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra (AOBO), Sydney Philharmonia, Sydney Opera House Orchestra, Sydney Concert Orchestra, and in many recording sessions for movie soundtracks and TV and radio advertisements.