Nicola Popplewell - Oboe & Cor Anglais

Freelance oboist Nicola Popplewell is in high demand as a contract player for orchestras throughout New Zealand. As well as frequent orchestral concerts she is often engaged to play for Broadway shows, opera seasons, perform on live television and as a soloist. Nicola has performed throughout Europe, Australasia and Asia.

Nicola began her career in Nottinghamshire, England. After winning the young musician of the year competition organised by Bingham Rotary Club in 1997. She rose quickly in the local music scene and had her first professional orchestral engagement aged 14. She won a national government scholarship to study as a specialist musician at the prestigious Wells Cathedral School under Elizabeth Fyfe (Royal Opera House, London). During her two years at the school Nicola performed with the school orchestra at venues throughout the UK including Duke's Hall at the Royal Academy of Music, the Colston Hall in Bristol, and of course Wells Cathedral. The school orchestra was conducted by Christopher Adey.

Nicola won a scholarship to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under David Cowley (principal, BBCNOW). A highlight of Nicola's orchestral study at the Royal Welsh was when she was selected to play principal oboe for the College’s 60th anniversary concert, performing Beethoven's 9^th symphony conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras. During her time at the college Nicola also discovered a love of chamber music. She co-founded the Crown Quintet, who won both the RWCMD Chamber Prize and the June Emerson competition in 2010. She also helped organise an Octet Club. During July and August 2009 Nicola was funded by RWCMD to travel to New Zealand to study for two months with Martin Lee (oboe & cor-anglais, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra), while there she attended performance classes at Auckland University and coached ensembles.

After completing her B.Mus., Nicola decided to return to Auckland University to continue her studies with Martin Lee and Gordon Hunt (principal, London Philharmonia Orchestra) successfully completing a master’s degree in one year. Her decision to move to New Zealand proved the correct one as she was offered contract work with Auckland Philharmonia on her first day back in the country. Furthering her ambition to travel whenever possible, she also played second oboe for Christchurch Symphony Orchestra’s tour of Japan in 2011. Nicola enjoys taking part in oboe courses and has had the privilege to study with Ruth Bolister (principal, English National Opera), David Walter (Paris Conservatoire) and Diana Doherty (principal, Sydney Symphony Orchestra).

Since completing her master’s degree Nicola has built up a reputation as a reliable and competent player among professional orchestras throughout New Zealand. She enjoys the variety that a freelance career brings and is a capable and versatile performer. She feels comfortable in any orchestral chair, having gained experience as principal and second oboe and also cor anglais. She has recently been engaged as principal oboe for all five of Hawke's Bay Festival Opera Orchestra's performances in 2014 and really looks forward to trips down to the wine region.

Nicola also enjoys playing oboe and cor anglais for shows and played in the pit for the recent Auckland seasons of Mary Poppins and Wicked. For Mary Poppins she had the interesting challenge of being asked to double on chromatic harmonica, a challenge which she embraced with enthusiasm and although self-taught her playing received many compliments.

Nicola loves playing the oboe, and believes that this, along with her friendly nature, are the key to her success so far.  When Nicola is not playing, teaching or making reeds, she enjoys spending time with friends and family exploring the world. She is a keen traveller and can't believe her luck when she is asked to combine travelling and playing.