Profiles of carillonists

Here are some of our carillonists, we will provide more profiles in the future.

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Peter began studying carillon with Thomas Laue in 2014 and qualified as a carillonist in 2018. He serves as secretary of the Carillon Society of Australia and is an executive committee member of the World Carillon Federation. In 2023, Peter earned his carillon diploma from the Royal Carillon School in Mechelen, Belgium, studying under Koen Van Assche. Following his graduation, he was lucky to tour Europe, performing in countries including Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Lithuania. Peter is passionate about programming music that resonates with everyone from the timeless compositions of Bach to the iconic melodies of Star Wars. 

Astrid Bowler 

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Born in Sydney of Estonian parents, Astrid Bowler graduated from the University of Sydney with a major in music, and is now Canberra’s longest serving carillonist, having started lessons with John Gordon in 1984. She has played many recitals celebrating significant events including for the opening of the London Olympic Games in 2012, Christmas Eve Truce in Belgium in 1914, as well as a weekend of special music to show support for Ukraine in 2022 to name a few. Astrid was also church organist for 17 years at St Ninian’s Uniting Church and for 45 years at St Peter’s Lutheran Church.  

Julie Wright 

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Julie first heard a carillon in 1974 when she was a student at Sydney University. The bells rang out frequently during the week and she was intrigued to learn more. However when they were removed for refurbishing the opportunity was lost. In 1999, when Julie moved to Canberra, she discovered the National Carillon and often visited to listen to recitals. In 2017 she answered an NCA advertisement for new carillonist students and began lessons. Julie enjoys the challenge of playing and arranging music in a range of styles and genres and aims to appeal to a wide audience.  

Vikki Jacobsen 

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Vikki’s fascination with the carillon began when she relocated to Canberra in 1992, and drove past the National Carillon every morning and evening on her way to and from work. It wasn’t until 25 years later that she answered an ad in the Canberra Times for new students to learn to play the instrument. With a major in music history and saxophone performance from the University of Melbourne, and years teaching music and playing in dance/big bands, Vikki commenced as a student carillonist in 2017, qualifying as a Canberra Carillonist in 2023 (after delays due to covid-delays and instrument closures). Vikki enjoys the versatility that the carillon brings to different genres such as classical, modern, pop, jazz and everything else, as well as being part of the Canberra, Australian and international carillon communities. 

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Anna Wong first heard the carillon as a student at the University of Sydney and started learning the carillon in Canberra in 2013. She performed in Ypres and Mechelen (Belgium) for special centenary concerts to commemorate the Great War in 2014 and has performed as part of the Canberra International Music Festival. In addition to performing, Anna is also interested in the role of music and the arts in supporting community wellbeing.

Thomas Laue 

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Harrison Whalan 

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Harrison Whalan is a multi-instrumentalist who has been a performing carillonist since 2018. He began his Bachelor of Music at ANU majoring in jazz piano in 2021, but switched halfway through to become a bass player. Having graduated in 2024, he now gigs extensively in several jazz ensembles and corporate pop bands around Canberra. Harrison enjoys bringing his improvisational knowledge and jazz sensibilities to the Carillon, as well as creating arrangements of modern music.