Category: Oboe

Australian Hometown(s):
Education: Australian National University; Freiburg Hochschule für Musik

PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY
Ann Blackburn currently plays Second Oboe with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Australia, a position she has held since 2013. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the Australian National University, and a Diploma from the Freiburg Hochschule für Musik, where she studied with Heinz Holliger. 

Ann played Associate Principal Oboe with Orchestra Victoria from 2004-2006. She has worked extensively with the Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras, the Auckland Philharmonic, Opera Australia’s Oz Opera, and the Victorian Opera. She has also played with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. She has performed recitals in New Zealand and Germany with her chamber group Trio Australasia.

Last updated 2023

Australian Hometown: Melbourne
Education: Victorian College of the Arts; Australian National Academy of Music

PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY
Joshua began learning the oboe at age 12 under the guidance of Neil Stafford. As a student, he was a member of the Melbourne Youth Orchestra, Sydney Sinfonia, Australian Youth Orchestra and the Young Australian Concert Artists.

Joshua is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne University (B.Mus Perf -Hon), having studied with Anne Gilby and Eve Newsome. He was selected as one of four soloists in the VCA concerto concert in his final year (2004). He completed his training in 2005-06 at the Australian National Academy of Music studying with Jeffrey Crellin. In 2007, Joshua took up the position of Associate Principal Oboe with Orchestra Victoria, the position he holds today.

Joshua has also performed with Melbourne, Sydney, Tasmanian, Adelaide and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Malaysian Philharmonic. Joshua is a regular teacher of oboe at Melbourne University and the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School.

He lives in the Dandenong Ranges, outside of Melbourne, with his wife and three children.

Last updated 2020

Australian Hometown: Brisbane
Education: Sydney Conservatorium of Music; Royal College of Music, London

PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY
Huw Jones has been Principal Oboe of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra since 2013. He has appeared as an oboist with every major symphony orchestra in Australia and New Zealand, as well as Guest Principal Oboe with the Australia Chamber Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra, and the Opera Australia Orchestra.

Huw graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with First-Class Honours, and later continued studies in London at the Royal College of Music. During this time in London Huw toured extensively across Europe and the U.S. with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Australia Chamber Orchestra and the Irish Chamber Orchestra. As well as playing in QSO, Huw regularly appears as a chamber musician with the Australia Ensemble and Ensemble Q. Huw is a faculty member of the University of Queensland School of Music, and the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Huw loves teaching, conducting, performing and living in Brisbane alongside his one wife, two children and three chickens.

Last updated 2022

Australian Hometown: Sydney
Education: Sydney Conservatorium of Music

PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY
Shefali Pryor grew up in Sydney where she graduated with first class honours from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. During her studies she participated in numerous programs with the Australian Youth Orchestra and was a member of the Sydney Sinfonia. Upon graduating she joined the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as Second Oboe.

In 2004 and 2005 she was granted leave in order to study with Stefan Schilli at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg. Not long after her return to Australia she was appointed Associate Principal Oboe. In 2006 she won the Other Instrumental category of the Symphony Australia Young Performer Awards. She has performed as soloist with the Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmanian symphony orchestras, including performances with violinist Nigel Kennedy in 2006.

Shefali Pryor has performed as guest principal with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia, and as a casual musician with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. She is a founding member of the Sydney Omega Ensemble and has performed with the Australia Ensemble, Sydney Soloists, and Southern Cross Soloists as well as with the staff of the Sydney Conservatorium, where she teaches oboe. She is also the Artistic Director of the SSO’s Vanguard program for young philanthropists.

Last updated 2023