Allan is in his first year of studies at ANAM under the tutelage of Damien Eckersley. In 2024, he completed a Bachelor of Double Bass Classical Performance with First Class Honours from the Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide with Rob Nairn. He also received the Gustav Reimers Prize, the Elder Conservatorium’s award for an orchestral instrumentalist.
In high school, Allan’s interest in rock and jazz music directed him to the bass guitar. After recognizing the rhythmic and harmonic power of the instrument, the logical next step was the double bass. Since beginning his studies on the double bass with Rob Nairn in 2017 and quickly falling in love with the instrument, he has performed with the Elder Conservatorium Symphony and Chamber orchestras, the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Adelaide Concert Orchestra.
Before picking up the bass, Allan’s introduction to classical music was through singing. This interest led to several international tours with the St Peters Cathedral Choir, as well as performances with the Adelaide Chamber Singers in 2022 and 2023.
Allan performs across a variety of genres. Since 2023 he has cultivated a keen interest in early music and has enjoyed playing the violone with the Elder Conservatorium Baroque Ensemble. He was the division 1 bassist with the SA Superband big band program and plays both electric and upright bass in several Adelaide bands. Allan is looking forward to the release of Wake In Fright’s third album in 2025.
Allan is thrilled to play a 2023 Andrew Tait Kennedy Copy double bass.
FROM: SA. Lands of the Kaurna people.
Photo by Pia Johnson