Born in Perth, Australia, Nicola is one of the most sought after historical clarinet players of her generation. She obtained her Bachelor of Music with first class honours from the University of Western Australia studying with Allan Meyer. During her studies she began to play with the Australian Chamber Orchestra both on modern and historical clarinet. She then completed her Masters in historical performance at the Royal Conservatory in the Hague with Eric Hoeprich.

Based in Gent, Belgium, she tours and records extensively, and is principal clarinet with Ensemble Pygmalion (R Pichon) l’Orchestre des Champs Élysées (Ph.Herreweghe), Constellation Orchestra (J.E.Gardiner), Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique / English Baroque Soloists, and she has recently been appointed as principal clarinet with the Orchestra of the 18th Century.

Nicola is regularly invited as guest principal with many other orchestras and ensembles including Freiburger Barockorchester, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Concerto Copenhagen and Il Pomo d’Oro.

As a chamber musician, Nicola collaborates with Kristian Bezuidenhout, Anthony Romaniuk, Consone, Cambini and Edding Quartets, and Ensemble Marsyas amongst others.

She has performed in recital at many prestigious festivals including Edinburgh International Festival, Bruges Musica Antiqua Festival, Boston Early Music Festival, Accademia delle Crete Senesi, and at venues such as BOZAR Brussels, Amsterdam Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal, and Wigmore Hall.

In 2025 she did a national recital tour for Musica Viva Australia.

Nicola has recorded the Mozart clarinet quintet with the Edding Quartet and the Schubert Octet with Northernlight both to critical acclaim. More recently she released an album of the Brahms Clarinet Sonatas with pianist Anthony Romaniuk. Forthcoming releases include the Mozart Clarinet concerto with Gli Angeli Geneva.

As soloist she has performed concerti in Europe and Asia with the l’Orchestre des Champs Eysées, Academy of Ancient Music, Concerto Copenhagen, and Il Gardellino in venues such as the Theatre Des Champs Elysées in Paris, The Megaron in Athens, Auditorio Nacional Madrid, Palau de la Music Barcelona, and at the Barbican Centre in London. In May 2026, Nicola will toured the Mozart Clarinet concerto in Spain and Germany under the direction of Sir John Eliot Gardiner.

A dedicated educator, Nicola was professor of historical clarinet at the Paris Conservatoire (CNSMDP) from 2021-2024 and is currently professor of historical clarinet at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague.

Alan Rule was a clarinet teacher in Perth. Jack Harrison studied with him from the age of 12.

Allan Wilfred Rule (Allan in electoral roll; Alan in printed material)

22.7.1907 – 2.2.1990

 

Alan Rule was taught clarinet by his father who was on one of the theatre orchestras. [1]

Allan Rule enlisted 23^rd February 1942 in the Royal Australian Navy as a Seaman (#25683) and a member of the Marine Corps Band in Melbourne (N.O.K. Beryl Rule).  He was a huge man whose naval career ended when he suffered a back injury as a result of a fall down the metal stairs of a ship.[2]

 

He came to Perth from Melbourne in 1947 and played Principal Clarinet with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra until 1966 when he stepped down to second clarinet due to ill health, retiring in 1971.  Jack Harrison moved to the Principal Clarinet position.

Pen Points on Perth

By Harry Black

A young man who is quickly coming into prominence in the local dance-band world is up-and-coming-altoist Jack Harrison.  I had seen this name featured in many current dance-hall adverts., so snooped around to find who this “stranger” was fronting his own small outfit in quite a few nice little jobs, and was agreeably surprised to find former harmonica-wizard Jackie Harrison (now 15 years of age) tootling away on sax and clarrie with as much ease and confidence as many a veteran.

“SOMETHING OF A SENSATION”

He seemed to be reading almost anything around the place as well as finding his way around many of the old “fakies” with plenty of improvising.  This may sound a tall yarn for one so young, but readers should remember that Jack Harrison was featured here in W.A. as somewhat of a sensation with his brilliant harmonica work and, after capturing all the local radio spots that he could, he went east to Sydney (when only 9 years of age) and there, after topping the poll in an Australian Amateur hour programme, fulfilled many radio dates with prominent Sydney radioites – Jack Davey’s Shows, the Youth Show and others.  Thence to Melbourne to do a round of their Tivoli circuit and came happily back to Groper-land (NOT the least bit swell headed!!).  Since his return Jack has been studying music very seriously, besides keeping many radio engagements, throughout each year – and now the fruits of his studies seem to be bearing well – judging by his easy switch to reed instruments in his own band.

IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY

Music is an integral part of the Harrison family, as veteran pianist Bill Harrison is Jack’s proud poppa, a sister plays piano in Jack’s outfit while a brother wields the drumsticks.  Jack is being ably coached in his sax work by Ken Murdoch, while he is also studying “legit” clarinet with A.B.C. woodwind-ist Alan rule.  Apart from these few activities, plus his harmonica appearances, plus his home rehearsals, plus his rehearsals with the A.B.C. Amateur symphony Group, plus his private practice – Jack still finds time to be a modest 15 year old Aussie.  All his many friends in local musical circles predict quite a musical future for young Jack – so we wish him the best of luck!!  [3]

 

Beyond his contributions on the concert stage, Rule was an exceptionally influential pedagogue. Alongside Jack Harrison, Donald Westlake and Peter Clinch he dedicated decades to cultivating young musical talent in Western Australia. His teaching philosophy emphasized rigorous technique and holistic musicality, impacting a diverse range of students including Norm Wrightson and Allan Meyer.

 

MUSIC and THEATRE By “FIDELIO”

Noted for listening: Tomorrow, 8.45 p.m.: Perth String Quartet and Allan Rule in Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet. At this afternoon’s meeting of the Kylie Club the Moongana Singers will be heard, and Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet will be played.  [4]

 

CHILDREN HEAR ORCHESTRA

 Children from State and private schools filled the Midland Junction Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon and the Fremantle Town Hall yesterday afternoon to listen to music. On each occasion the Perth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Henry Krips, played a programme comprising the “Fingal’s Cave” overture (Mendelssohn), “Finlandia” (Sibelius). Scherzo and Finale from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, and Concertino for Clarinet and Orchestra (Weber), in which Alan Rule was soloist. The Superintendent of Music in State Schools (Mr. O. G. Campbell Egan) spoke to the children about the orchestra and led them in songs. The concerts were given by the Australian Broadcasting Commission.  [5]

 

RECITAL BY SOPRANO (By “Fidelio.”)

At her best, Betty Hatfield achieved some musical effects of prettiness and charm in the vocal recital she gave last night, conspicuously so in Schubert’s “The Shepherd on the Rock” (Alan Rule’s clarinet part contributing to the success). In the early part of Mozart’s “Non Mi Dir” also she was happily effective. On the other hand there was evident rather often in her ambitious programme the need for sustained firmness and “body” in tones and phrases, for the want of which her performances were apt to lack convincing character. Miss Hatfield sang opera excerpts from Gluck (two), Mozart and Leoncavallo, Caccini’s “Amarilli,” three Schubert songs and two each by Arm-strong Gibbs and Roger Quilter. She was accompanied by Keith Carter, who also played solos by Schumann and Scriabin. The recital was given in the rooms of the Women’s Service Guilds, Sherwood Court.  [6]

 

MUSIC AND THEATRE

By T.C.M.

At this afternoon’s meeting of the Kylie Music Club the approach of Christmas will be heralded by the Ladies’ Odeon Choir, conducted by Mrs. N. E. Moran, which has included carols and other Christmas songs in its programme. Allan Rule and Robert Trew will be heard in clarinet duets by A. Frank and Poulenc. The programme has been arranged by Vaughan Hanly.  [7]

 

Music Club Resuming

The beautiful music room of “Minnawarra,” lovely old Peppermint Grove home, will be decorated with roses and poinsettias picked from the spacious gardens tonight when the Minnawarra Music Club hold the first of four winter meetings. Members will be welcomed in the entrance hall by the honorary organiser, Mr. Marshall Sumner and charming Club patroness, Mrs. Helen Watso-Williams. Guest artists will be Elisabeth Munro-George (pianist), Alice Malton (soprano), Kathleen Moore (oboe), Alan Rule and Robert Trew (clarinets), William Cathcart (ba-soon) and Harold Thornton, (French horn).  [8]

 

 

Works to be heard at tomorrow’s meeting of the Minnawarra Chamber Music Club are Beethoven’s Trio, Op. 11, for piano (Nora Coalstad), ‘cello (Zlata Kalmikoff) and clarinet (Alan Rule); Debussy’s “Fetes Galantes” sung by Merle Arundale, and Goossens’s “Five Impressions of a Holiday,” for piano, ‘cello and flute (Douglas Whittaker).  [9]

 

 

The Chamber Music Society of W.A. will hold an open air concert for members and guests in the garden of Mr. and Mrs. W. Evans, 3a View-street, Peppermint Grove, tomorrow evening. The programme will be presented by Alan Rule (clarinet), Don Cartwright (oboe), John Cran (bassoon), Stephanie James (piano). The works performed will be trios for oboe, clarinet and bassoon by Ibert, Milhaud and Flegier; a piano and bassoon sonata by Hurlstone; and a clarinet and bassoon sonata by Poulenc.  [10]

 

PEOPLE YOU LISTEN TO

ALAN RULE

Alan Rule has done very little teaching since he began work with the W.A. Symphony Orchestra.  Before he taught at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.  He has three pupils in W.A..  They are Jack Harrison, Peter Clinch and Don Westlake.  Of Jack Harrison, Alan says “he’s the best pupil I’ve ever taught and ever hope to teach.  He’s the cleverist and the slickest.”  Alan said he was quite proud of all three pupils.  [11]  PHOTO

 

“The last of the outstanding teachers was Alan Rule.  He was taught by his father, who played in one of Melbourne’s theatre orchestras.  Alan was principal in the West Australian Symphony Orchestra at Perth from 1947 to 1967.  He was the teacher in their early formative years of Peter Clinch, Jack Harrison and Don Westlake.”  “Don was born in Perth on 5 June 1931…Don’t first teacher was Percy Newton, then followed with lessons from Alan Rule, Stockigt and Simson”.  “Having almost identical beginnings with Don Westlake is Jack Harrison like Don. He was born at Perth in 1931 and like him was taught first by Percy Newton and then Alan Rule unlike Don he has spent practically all his life in Perth and since 1951 has been a member (Principal since 1967) of the ABCs West Australian Symphony Orchestra.[12]

 

 

MELBOURNE

ON THE GRAPEVINE

With Geoff Brooke

BOON WILL BOOM WITH HIS BOOP-BOOP-A-DOO

One night last week I had the pleasure of working with a young musician who has just arrived here from Perth, and I have no hesitation in naming him as one of the most promising clarinettists in town today.  He is 19 year old Neil Boon and his very easy style (which shows a distinct Goodman influence) and excellent tone, had the boys in the Joe Marchesani trio very enthusiastic indeed concerning his future prospects in the music game.  The boy’s playing was full of ideas and his technique is a tribute to the thorough teaching of Alan Rule in Perth.  Rule was well known to Melbourne theatre audiences as a member of the Regent orchestra for years and built an excellent reputation here as a teacher, before returning to home in the West.  He is a big husky fellow and a fine player himself.  Another of his prize pupils who is frequently mentioned when swing musicians are discussing the country’s top clarinet men is Jack Harrison of Perth, whose sister Jill was recently appointed to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in the bassoon chair.  [13]

 

 

Sad Loss for WA music

W.A. lost a much loved elder statesman of music last week with the death at age 82 of clarinettist Alan Rule. Alan Rule came to Perth from Melbourne in 1949 to serve as Principal Clarinet with a W.A. Symphony Orchestra a position he held until 1967 when he was replaced by Jack Harrison. He remained a member of the Orchestra until 1971. Throughout his career, Alan Rule was a dedicated teacher – he continued to teach up to his death – and was regarded as a “father figure” in the Orchestra. His pupils have gone onto principal positions elsewhere: Don Westlake with the Sydney Symphony and Duncan Abercrombie with the Tasmanian Symphony.  W.A. Symphony spokesperson Lyn Schwan said yesterday Mr. Rule was highly praised in 1954 by Sir John Barbara and one of the many highlights of his career was performing Schubert’s Shepherd on the Rock with American Negro soprano Leotyne Price.  [14]

[1] WESTON, Pamela CLARINET VIRTUOSI OF TODAY 1989 page 305

[2] Harrison, Marcia WEST AUSTRALIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Celebrating 75 Years 2003 page 37

[3] Music Maker July 21 1947

[4] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 19 July 1947, page 5

[5] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Friday 4 June 1948, page 12

[6] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 27 November 1948, page 11

[7] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 17 December 1949, page 19

[8] Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 – 1955), Sunday 11 June 1950, page 9

[9] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 6 August 1949, page 19

[10] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 21 March 1953, page 21

[11] The Broadcaster 1953 page 16 – from Jack Harrison’s scrap book

[12] WESTON, Pamela Clarinet Virtuosi of Today 1989

[13] The Argus Melbourne Saturday March 31 1956

[14] The West Australian Wednesday February 14 1990

Allan Meyer is a distinguished clarinettist and Jack Harrison’s most notable student. He succeeded Jack as principal clarinet of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

Allan Meyer has been Principal Clarinet with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra since 1990. His distinguished career has seen him perform in many parts of Australia. In 1997 and 1999, Allan performed and taught in Massachusetts, USA. He was also Guest Principal Clarinettist for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and performed in the Musicorda, Mohawk Trail and Williamstown Chamber Music Festivals.

Allan was born in Perth and studied with WASO’s Principal Clarinet, Jack Harrison, graduating from UWA with a Master of Music (Performance) degree and completing postgraduate studies in London with John McCaw, Antony Pay and Jack Brymer. After 7 years with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Allan returned to Perth as Principal Clarinet. He teaches at the School of Music at the University of WA and at the WA Academy of Performing Arts. Allan has appeared as soloist in the Masters and Classics Series, Mostly Mozart Series, Symphony under the Stars and WASO Chamber Players. He has been Guest Principal Clarinet with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Allan has premiered a number of works including the Australian premiere of Richard Mills’ Concerto for Clarinet and Violin, the world premiere of James Ledger’s Clarinet Quintet and the world premiere of Blackwood by Iain Grandage and Kevin Gillam for Perth Festival in 2011. For Perth Festival in 2012 he performed with the Escher String Quartet. Most recently he performed the Mozart Concerto, a work he has performed over 12 times with WASO, as part of a regional tour conducted by his former student and associate conductor of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Chris Dragon.

As a performer, teacher and advocate for Australian music, he has had a profound influence on clarinet performance in Western Australia and has trained many of the state’s leading professional clarinettists.

Born in Perth, Western Australia, Meyer received his early musical education in the city’s thriving public school music system. He attended Churchlands Senior High School, graduating in 1976, and began studying the clarinet with the legendary WASO Principal Clarinet, Jack Harrison. Harrison’s teaching profoundly shaped Meyer’s artistic development and established a pedagogical lineage that has continued through several generations of Western Australian clarinettists.

Meyer completed a Master of Music (Performance) at the University of Western Australia before travelling to London for postgraduate study. There he worked with three distinguished British clarinettists:

• John McCaw
• Antony Pay
• Jack Brymer

This combination of Australian and British training gave Meyer a refined orchestral style rooted in the English clarinet tradition while retaining the flexibility required of a modern symphonic musician.

Following his studies, Meyer joined the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, where he spent seven years developing his orchestral career. This period established him as one of Australia’s leading young clarinettists and prepared him for his eventual return to Perth.

In 1990 Meyer was appointed Principal Clarinet of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, succeeding his mentor Jack Harrison in one of Australia’s most prestigious orchestral woodwind positions. He has remained in that role ever since, becoming one of the orchestra’s longest-serving principal players.

During his tenure he has appeared as soloist in numerous WASO concert series, including:

• Masters Series
• Mostly Mozart
• Symphony Under the Stars
• WASO Chamber Players

He has also been invited as Guest Principal Clarinet with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts, USA.

Meyer’s reputation has extended beyond Australia through teaching and performance engagements in the United States.

In 1997 and again in 1999 he taught and performed at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. During these visits he also appeared at the:

• Musicorda Festival
• Mohawk Trail Concerts
• Williamstown Chamber Music Festival

These engagements strengthened his international reputation as both performer and educator.

A defining aspect of Meyer’s career has been his commitment to contemporary Australian composition.

He has premiered works by leading Australian composers including:

• James Ledger
• Iain Grandage
• Richard Mills
• Andrew Schultz

Among his notable premieres are:

• the Australian premiere of Richard Mills’ Concerto for Clarinet and Violin
• the world premiere of Andrew Schultz’s Maali
• the world premiere of James Ledger’s Clarinet Quintet
• the world premiere of Blackwood by Iain Grandage and Kevin Gillam at the Perth Festival in 2011.
• Geoffrey Allen

Blackwood holds particular significance because it was commissioned by Jody Harrison and written specifically for Allan Meyer, soprano Sara Macliver and pianist Graeme Gilling.

Alongside his orchestral career, Meyer has been an active chamber musician.

He has collaborated with the internationally acclaimed Escher String Quartet and has regularly appeared in chamber music festivals and recital series throughout Australia and overseas. His performances encompass the major works of the classical repertoire, particularly those by Mozart, Brahms and French composers, while also embracing newly commissioned Australian works.

Teacher and mentor

Meyer has had an equally important impact as an educator.

He has taught at:

• the University of Western Australia Conservatorium of Music
• the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

Many of his students have gone on to professional orchestral careers throughout Australia and overseas.

• Ashley William Smith – internationally acclaimed soloist, chamber musician, and Professor of Woodwinds at the University of Western Australia.
• Nicola Boud – internationally renowned historical clarinettist; Professor of Historical Clarinets at the Conservatoire de Paris and Professor at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague.
• Benjamin Pallagi – Australian clarinettist, educator and chamber musician.
• Christopher Dragon – internationally recognised conductor. Before specialising in conducting, he studied clarinet with Meyer, who remained an important mentor during his early musical development.
• Liam Kinson – is in TAK ensemble in New York:Liam Kinson was born in Perth, Western Australia, in 1988, and began playing the clarinet at the age of 12. He studied at the University of Western Australia, where he holds a Bachelor in Music, Australian National Academy in Melbourne, and Manhattan School of Music where he received his Masters in Contemporary Music. Liam has performed with Wet Ink, International Contemporary Ensemble, Ecce Ensemble, and is a founding member of TAK ensemble. He has collaborated with dancers and actors and artists alike, and thrives on exploring new methods of expression through interdisciplinary means.
• Lachlan Skipworth – although best known today as an award-winning composer, Skipworth studied clarinet with Meyer before pursuing composition. His intimate understanding of the instrument is evident in many of his works for clarinet and chamber ensemble.
• Jarrad Linke A clarinettist originally from Perth, Jarrad is an active freelance musician currently based in Melbourne. He completed a Bachelor of Music in Performance at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University prior to three years of study at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM). He has studied with renowned Australian clarinettists David Thomas, Paul Dean and Allan Meyer and performed in masterclasses with international soloists Michael Collins, Sabine Meyer and Julian Bliss. Jarrad has performed with the West Australian, Queensland and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, as well as numerous Opera Australia productions with Orchestra Victoria including The Phantom of the Opera, Tosca and Lohengrin. Jarrad also took part in Opera Australia’s 2022 National Tour of The Barber of Seville. When Jarrad is not playing his clarinet, you’ll find him studying his Bachelor of Nursing or strolling around with a vintage film camera in his hands.
• Alex Roberts is a highly versatile Australian-born, UK-based clarinettist. Best known as the clarinettist for the London-based Explore Ensemble, he is a prominent freelance orchestral and chamber musician who regularly performs with the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Welsh National Opera
• Eljo Agenbach is a performer, educator and collaborator based between Brisbane and Melbourne, Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies from the University of Western Australia, Conservatorium of Music (2016-2019) where she received numerous awards and scholarships honouring her performing and academic achievements. Eljo is currently studying towards her Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University under clarinettist Paul Dean.
• Jane Pankhurst – clarinettist, educator and long-standing contributor to the Western Australian clarinet community.
• Alex McCracken – Perth-based clarinettist and educator, active as a performer and teacher.
• Oliver Crofts – orchestral and chamber clarinettist who has established a professional career in Australia.
• Matthew Kidd – freelance orchestral and chamber musician who has performed with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Perth Symphony Orchestra.
• Geoff Bourgault – freelance orchestral and chamber musician who has performed with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Perth Symphony Orchestra.

Professional leadership

Beyond performance and teaching, Meyer has played an important role in fostering the clarinet community in Western Australia.

Since its establishment in 2009 he has served as Chairperson of the Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Western Australia. Under his voluntary leadership the organisation has promoted performance opportunities, masterclasses, educational projects and professional networking for clarinettists and saxophonists across the state.

Allan has a son, Max.