Tom Allen

About

Tom Allen is currently in his first year at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), studying with Carla Blackwood. Prior to starting at ANAM, Tom completed a Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the University of Melbourne, studying with Carla Blackwood and Nico Fleury. Tom first began playing the horn – after learning violin – at high school, where he learned from Linda Hewett.

Tom began playing in orchestras during early high school and realising that it was a lot more interesting than regular schoolwork, he knew it was something he wanted to continue doing. Since 2022, Tom has participated in programs with the Australian Youth Orchestra, including a national tour in 2022 with Sir Mark Elder and playing principal horn of the Alexander Orchestra in 2023.

While at University, Tom toured Singapore and Malaysia with the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 2023 and took part in masterclasses with Stefan Dohr, Casey Rippon, Andrew Bain, Genevieve Clifford, and Simen Fegran. Stepping away from more traditional projects, he toured Sydney and Melbourne with Andrea Bocelli and the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra in 2022.

Since starting at ANAM, highlights have included orchestral projects with Osmo Vanksa and Brett Dean, as well as residencies with Katy Wooley and Christopher Sundqvist.

He is looking forward to continuing his studies there in 2025, under the tutelage of Carla Blackwood and Ben Jacks.