A horn player originally from Perth, Calen is in his third year at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), studying with Carla Blackwood. He previously completed a Bachelor of Music in Classical Performance at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), studying under Principal Horn of WASO, David Evans, and 4th Horn of WASO, Francesco Lo Surdo.
In Calen’s time at WAAPA, he has played in the WAAPA Symphony Orchestra as Principal Horn for various operas, musicals, and symphony concerts. In 2017, Calen joined the West Australian Youth Orchestra and has played in several concerts with them, including their most recent WASO/WAYO side-by-side program. He has participated in multiple programs with the Australian Youth Orchestra since 2015.
In 2018, Calen featured as a finalist in the annual Warana Concerto Competition, performing as soloist with the WAAPA Symphony Orchestra. In 2021, Calen was runner-up for the prestigious Richard Gill Award, given to a graduating WAAPA classical musician demonstrating excellence in performance.
Calen has worked with various Perth orchestras and ensembles, including the Perth Symphony Orchestra, Fremantle Chamber Orchestra, Banksia Ensemble, Perth Orchestra Project, and the Vienna Pops Orchestra for their annual New Year’s Eve Gala at the Perth Concert Hall.
Outside of his musical life, Calen is a keen surfer, specialty coffee enthusiast, and runs barefoot or in minimalist footwear.
FROM: Perth, WA. Lands of the Noongar people.
Photo credit: Pia Johnson