Nicola Bell
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Nicola Bell is an oboist who spent nine years studying and performing across Europe before returning to Sydney. She graduated with first-class honours from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music before furthering her studies in Sweden and France. Nicola completed her Master of Music in Munich under the mentorship of Professor François Leleux.
During her time in Germany, she was invited to perform with esteemed orchestras such as the Munich Symphony Orchestra, Braunschweig Theatre Orchestra, WDR Funkhaus Orchestra, and the Württemberg Chamber Philharmonic Heidenheim. Her connection with the Georgian Chamber Orchestra in Ingolstadt led to frequent performances in Georgia, including collaborations with the Georgian Sinfonietta and Georgian National Philharmonic. She also performed at the Telavi International Music Festival in Georgia in 2014.
In 2015, Nicola became Principal Oboe with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, working under the renowned conductor Neeme Järvi. She later served as Alternating Principal Oboe with the Finnish National Opera. Her versatile career includes guest principal oboe engagements with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Norrköping and Gävle Symphony Orchestras in Sweden, as well as the Tampere Philharmonic and Finnish Radio Orchestras in Finland.
Back in Australia, Nicola performs regularly with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Opera Australia Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Western Australia Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra Victoria. She was a member of the 2022 Australian World Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Zubin Mehta.
Nicola is also an active chamber musician, with appearances at the Canberra International Music Festival, Hume Chamber Music Festival and Arts in the Valley Festival, and with ensembles such as the Sydney-based Omega Ensemble and Sydney Chamber Choir. She previously collaborated with the New Theatre Ensemble in Tallinn as part of the Tallinn Chamber Music Festival and the Estonian Concert Elite Series, as well as with the Munich Winds. Currently, she is a member of the teaching faculty at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.