Rianne Wilschut was born in Heerenveen in The Netherlands. She started studying clarinet at the Conservatorium of Music in Zwolle with Oscar Ramspek, after which she moved to Rotterdam to obtain a Postgraduate Degree in Music Performance under the tutelage of Flemish clarinettist Walter Boeykens, followed by a higher Diploma in Chamber Music. During her years in Rotterdam she was one of the winners of the “Young Soloist” competition, resulting in a solo recital in the city’s concert hall “De Doelen”.
Since her arrival in Australia she has been in high demand as a freelance player, working extensively with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, with whom she toured Europe in early 2007, visiting Barcelona, Paris and Berlin. She has also appeared with Orchestra Victoria, the Astra Chamber Music Society, Chamber Made Opera, contemporary music ensemble “Libra” and Operalive.
She has contributed to a number of CD recordings and features on numerous scores of Australian produced films as a session musician, and has been principal clarinet in several Music Theatre productions such as Topol’s “Fiddler on the Roof” in both Melbourne and Brisbane.
Since moving to Brisbane, Rianne has performed regularly with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in their Maestro Series and Opera and Ballet seasons, as well as in their informal and popular “Listen and Talk” recitals.
A strong love of chamber music has been a red line through her music career to date. She was a founding member of the “Nirvana” ensemble for contemporary music in the Netherlands, as well as of the highly successful Victorian Chamber Musicians in Melbourne, whose popular concert series and national tours brought chamber music to new audiences. As from 2009, the Australian Chamber Musicians have taken over the reigns from their new base in Brisbane.
As a member of Collusion, Rianne is looking forward to expanding the chamber music repertoire for clarinet, strings and piano in collaboration with this highly talented group of musicians.
In addition to her freelance playing engagements, Rianne is also part of the vibrant Music Departments at Churchie Grammar and Somerville House, where she teaches clarinet privately and conducts small woodwind ensembles. She has her own teaching studio at home, and is frequently asked to give master classes and conduct woodwind tutorials, both in Brisbane and in Melbourne.