Oakley Paul, born in Perth, is currently in his third year at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), studying double bass under the tutelage of Damien Eckersley. Oakley has a keen passion for orchestral and chamber playing, and also thoroughly enjoys playing and watching opera and ballet.
During his time in Perth, Oakley studied from two mentors he considers very influential to his love for the instrument. Firstly, Mark Tooby, who introduced him to the double bass, and then to Andrew Sinclair at the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts, who established a further love for orchestral playing. It was at this time Oakley started at the Australian Youth Orchestra where he has now been a part of the organisation’s different musical programs for seven years, partaking in a national tour and leading the section across the 2023 season.
Oakley has now played with most of Australia’s professional orchestras, including holding casual positions with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria. In 2023, he also participated in the Melbourne and Adelaide Symphony Orchestra Fellowships. Highlights have included performing Bruckner’s Seventh Symphony with WASO and touring nationally with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in an all Mozart program.
As a soloist, Oakley has had the privilege to play with orchestra at the Warana Concerto Competition Final and most recently, 2023 ANAM Concerto Competition Final with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
FROM: Perth, WA. Lands of the Noongar people.
Oakley is supported by ANAM Syndicate donors Ron and Elizabeth Rosanove, Bruce and Jenny Lane.
Photo credit Pia Johnson