Originally from Perth, Oakley Paul is a double bassist with a passion for all orchestral and chamber playing. In 2023, Oakley commenced his second year of studies under the tutelage of Damien Eckersley at the Australian National Academy of Music.
Already having a musical background, Oakley commenced double bass lessons in high school where he learnt from Mark Tooby, a mentor he considers to have produced his love for the instrument.
In 2022, Oakley completed his Bachelor of Music Performance at the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), where he learnt from his musical idol, Andrew Sinclair. During this time, Oakley led all of WAAPA's classical ensemble sections, and was finalist in the 2021 Warana Concerto Competition.
Oakley, during his time in Perth, was incredibly active in the music scene – frequently performing in over twenty different ensembles. At a national level, he has also been a part of the Australian Youth Orchestra programs since 2018, and in 2022, was fortunate to tour with their leading orchestra to Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.
Oakley currently holds casual positions with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra Victoria. In 2023, he has been part of the Adelaide and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Fellowship programs.
FROM: Perth, WA. Lands of the Noongar people.
Oakley’s training at ANAM is fully supported by ANAM Syndicate donor the Simon Lee Foundation
Photo credit Pia Johnson