Biography: Karen Ruprecht B.Mus (Hons) L.Mus.A – Bassoon
Karen Ruprecht is a Brisbane based professional bassoonist and she has extensive experience in performance and teaching. Karen’s great passion for the bassoon enabled her to establish a firm position as one of the leading educators and advocates for this instrument in Queensland. Her busy schedule includes performances in Australia and overseas (France, Switzerland) as well as being Principal Bassoon with Queensland Pops Orchestra and the Associate Principal bassoon with Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra. Karen appears as a guest bassoonist with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Musica Viva, Queensland Festival Philharmonic, Opera Australia, Camerata of St John’s and Australian Session Orchestra. Karen’s artistic profile extends to be a member of numerous chamber ensembles including her recent engagement with Brisbane Chamber Project. She has also provided her knowledge and experience working with the Australian Army Band.
Karen is a sought after educator and clinician for all things double reed, having presented at various educational conferences around the state. She runs the specialist bassoon program for Education QLD and teaches bassoon at various schools in Brisbane. Karen is also heavily involved with the Australasian Double Reed Society, which promotes the playing of oboe and bassoon by providing opportunities, competitions, workshops, conferences and performances throughout Australia. She has also tutored at ‘Most’, QLD Youth Orchestra and adjudicated for the QLD Solo and Ensemble Championships (run by the QLD Band Association).
Biography: Neil Heymink – Bassoon
Neil studied bassoon at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with Peter Musson and graduated with High Distinction in Bassoon and Contrabassoon performance. He then undertook further studies with a number of players in the Netherlands and Germany. As an orchestral musician Neil has performed with the Queensland Symphony and Queensland Pops orchestras, the Northern Rivers Symphony and Sinfonia of St. Andrews as well as orchestras in Toowoomba, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. He is an avid chamber musician and soloist, performing regularly with the Pacific Chamber Players. Neil is also proficient on other reed instruments and teaches at both state and private schools as well as from his home studio in Nambour.