About
Ciara discovered her passion for the horn in high school after being given the opportunity to learn a second instrument alongside the clarinet. She was immediately drawn to its rich, resonant sound within an orchestral setting. From a young age, she aspired to pursue a career in music, but it was not until she transitioned fully from clarinet to horn at the start of her undergraduate studies that she committed to the path of an orchestral musician.
Currently in her third year at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Ciara studies under Carla Blackwood and will commence her Honours specialisation in Orchestral Performance in 2025. During her time at the Conservatorium, she has had numerous performance highlights, including performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 on the University Orchestra’s 2023 Asian tour, playing Mozart’s Sextet in a side-by-side performance with her teacher, and forming the Jacaranda Quintet, a wind chamber ensemble.
Most recently, Ciara travelled to Chile to participate in the 2025 Portillo Festival Academy Orchestra alongside her Jacaranda Quintet colleagues. During the festival, she performed as principal horn, toured major concert halls across the region, and took part in chamber music and individual masterclasses with esteemed tutors. In addition, she has performed with various community orchestras across Victoria, including Peninsula Chamber Musicians, Sir Zelman Symphony, and The Biomedical Students Society Orchestra. One of her most memorable recent experiences was performing Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier at the Australian Youth Orchestra’s 2025 National Music Camp.
Australian Youth Orchestra
