Paul Nicolaou is an emerging harpist and composer based in Sydney, Australia. He has quickly gained international recognition as a virtuosic young artist, receiving the Most Outstanding Performer Award at the 2022 Sydney Harp Eisteddfod, 2021 Monash University Emerging Composer Prize, Highly Commended Award in Willoughby Symphony’s 2023 Composer Competiton, and was a winner of the 2022 Artology ‘Fanfare’ Competition.

Paul was also shortlisted for numerous accolades including the Kendall Violin Competition 2023 Watermark Composition and ABC Classic’s 2022 Composer Commissioning Fund. Additionally, Paul was one of four composers between ages 16-30 to participate in the Australian Youth Orchestra’s 2022 Composition Program, and one of three to be selected for the 2023 Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Composer Workshop.

Paul’s work has been widely acclaimed, the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music, Monash University, noting it “stood out as an exceptional example of both compositional craft and musicality”. Paul also has experience composing for the screen, his original score for short film ‘Yannis’ receiving nomination for Best Original Score (Made in the West Film Festival). 

Paul’s works have been performed by notable emerging and established artists such as Sydney Youth Orchestras, musicians of the Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland Symphony Orchestras; and in 2023, the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Paul studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of internationally celebrated harpist Alice Giles AM. He has quickly established himself as an accomplished and sought-after performer, appearing as Principal Harpist of the Australian Youth Orchestra, Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Fellowship Ensemble, Sydney Conservatorium Orchestra and The Sydney Youth Orchestra.  

Paul’s artistry has been widely acknowledged, Mark Walton expressing “[Paul] plays with a profound musicality… This skill usually takes years to develop, and he understands it already. Every single note he played fitted into this glorious soundscape…”. 

Paul has performed at numerous prestigious international venues including the Sydney Opera House, St Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City), Hamer Hall, and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. He has given world premieres of works by internationally recognised composers such as Elena Kats-Chernin, Andrew Ford, and in 2023, Nigel Westlake. 

Paul is also an experienced pianist and violinist.