Mairi Nicolson
Melbourne,VIC
Summary
Accomplished Broadcaster, Producer, Compere with extensive experience in hosting and producing a wide range of music and talk programs and concerts.
Successfully led and curated high-profile events, including BBC Proms, Classic 100 countdowns, and numerous live broadcasts.
Expert in radio production, interviewing, script writing, hosting and relationship building, bringing passion and expertise to every project.
Natural leader with leadership skills, authority and confidence.
Fulfilled aim to demystify and share classical music with all.
Has brought glamour to the Classical music brand.
Experienced international Music and Opera international tour leader.
Overview
48
48
years of professional experience
Work History
ABC Classic Producer and Presenter
Australian Broadcasting Corportaion
03.1998 - Current
- 1998 -99 Host of Listener Requests
- 1998-04 Host of Strike Up the Band (Brass bands show)
- MC of Lord Yehudi Menuhin Masterclass MTH
- 2000 Host of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions
- 2001-02 Host of Classic Drive
- 2001-24 Host of ABC Classic's annual Classic 100 countdown: Live studio and concert work
- 2003 ABC RN Producer/Presenter Nocturne, The Arts Show and Melisma
- 2006 Co-host with Damien Beaumont of Choir of the Year Competition, Sydney finals
- 2007 - 2016 Host of Music Makers (Interview show with a huge range of musicians and music enablers including Dame Elisabeth Murdoch at Cruden Farm, Kate Mulvaney, and Andrew McKinnon, singers Magdalena Kozena, Roberto Alagna, and Angela Gheorghiu, and conductors Zubin Mehta, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Andrew Davis and Asher Fisch
- 2007- 2014 Host of Weekend Life Sat and Sun: Lunchtime Concert, The Scene (later Music Makers) and Song and Dance (Musicals show)
- 2009 MRC Host Official Opening; Anniversary Concerts, numerous broadcasts and fundraisers.
- 2011 Curated and produced playlist for The Opera Show double CD release ABC Classics
- 2016 Host of BBC Proms Australia festival
- 2017 – 2024 Host of Lunchtime Concerts, Legends, Sunday and Saturday Night at the Opera
- Host of OA’s two Melbourne Ring Cycles; long-running public concerts: Sunday Live and Friday Recital with local artists
- 2007-2024 Host of The Opera Show
- 2021 Producer/Presenter Postcards from Italy
- Host of IWD Festival, City of Stonnington annual Opera Galas, AWO concerts, VCA concerts, concerts at Government House Ballroom, for The Melba Trust and ABO fundraisers
- Competition Host broadcaster/interviewer: MICMC, SIPCA, and The Sun Aria
- Host book and CD launches and bust unveilings.
MSO Concert Host, Interviewer and Writer -Casual
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
03.1998 - Current
- Host/interviewer of annual season launches
- Host of pre-concert talks
- Interview/writer MSO Player Profiles
- Media Training with all orchestral musicians
- Host broadcaster of International Tours to Europe twice
- Ears Wide Open interviews ‘live streamed’ from Iwaki Auditorium
- Host annual Myer Music Bowl concerts
- Host of Chamber Players concert series ‘live’ broadcasts from Iwaki
Part-time Broadcaster BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4
British Broadcasting Corportation
09.1988 - 07.1997
- Hosted long-running Woman’s Hour on Radio 4 and Drive Show on Radio 3, and mid-morning show Musical Encounters.
- Hosted concerts in North of England and London with BBC Philharmonic and Halle’ orchestras and variety of local ensembles and festivals.
- Narrated Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and Roussel’s The Spider’s Banquet.
- Toured as host broadcaster with BBC Philharmonic in Europe and USA
- Hosted BBC Proms on Radio 3 in Royal Albert Hall
- Compere Leeds International Piano Competition 1996.
- 1993 Lecturer in Music Journalist at National Music Camp, Geelong.
ABC Announcer
Australian Broadcasting Commission
02.1978 - 08.1988
- 1978-79 Duty announcer reading weather, drama scripts, racing results, and ABC News.
- 1979 co-host Behind The News with John Hall on ABC TV
- 1980-88 Host of numerous concerts & broadcasts for the Festival of Sydney, also by the SSO from SOH, STH and Domain, and countless other ensembles;
- Host of SIPCA, host of Musicians for World Peace concerts SOHCH;
- Host of chamber concerts Art Gallery of NSW; live outside broadcasts for radio and TV
- 1984 Hosted Sunday night’s A World of Music series on ABC TV produced by Brian Harvey
- 1984-88 In Tempo (forerunner of RN’s The Music Show)
- 1987-88 Evening with Mairi Nicolson
- Writer for 24Hours magazine (now Limelight)
- 1983 Approached by 2UE but I said NO!
- 1984 - 1990 Host of inflight audio shows for Ansett and Qatar Airways, & Popular Classics inflight audio and video shows for Qantas.
- Presented local ABC News on Canberra TV
Leichhardt High School: Music and English Teacher
NSW Department Of Education
02.1977 - 12.1978
- Developed innovative lesson plans to engage students in English and Music learning.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Directed choirs and bands
- Assessed student progress and provided feedback to improve performance and establish academic success.
- Improved classroom management by implementing consistent routines and clear expectations for behaviour.
- Led excursions to concerts and films
- Trained a group of volunteers to work at 2MBS-FM
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Italian Studies: 3 Years Part-time (incomplete)
University of Sydney
Sydney, NSW1985
Acting
Ensemble Theatre
Sydney1978
Diploma Music Education - Music And English Teacher Training
NSW Conservatorium of Music
Sydney, NSW12.1976
LTCL Music Performance Diploma, Piano -
Trinity College London
UK1976
Nursing Practice
Royal North Shore Hospital
1972
Advanced Secretarial Course
Sydney Technical College
1971
Skills
- Radio production and broadcasting
- Interviewing
- Script writing
- Relationship Building
- Production Scheduling
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Social Media
Timeline
ABC Classic Producer and Presenter
Australian Broadcasting Corportaion
03.1998 - Current
MSO Concert Host, Interviewer and Writer -Casual
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
03.1998 - Current
Part-time Broadcaster BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4
British Broadcasting Corportation
09.1988 - 07.1997
ABC Announcer
Australian Broadcasting Commission
02.1978 - 08.1988
Leichhardt High School: Music and English Teacher
NSW Department Of Education
02.1977 - 12.1978
Bachelor of Arts - Italian Studies: 3 Years Part-time (incomplete)
University of Sydney
Acting
Ensemble Theatre
Diploma Music Education - Music And English Teacher Training
NSW Conservatorium of Music
LTCL Music Performance Diploma, Piano -
Trinity College London
Nursing Practice
Royal North Shore Hospital
Advanced Secretarial Course
Sydney Technical College
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