Originally from Sydney, Australia, Benjamin leads a diverse musical career with interests from traditional to electronic music
Benjamin was appointed as Principal Clarinet of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 2019, having previously held the same position with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and has performed as concerto soloist with both orchestras. He has played as Guest Principal with many of the orchestras in the UK and Australia and at festivals such as Salzburg, Edinburgh, Huddersfield and Aldeburgh.
Recent solo highlights include play/directing the UK premiere of Saariaho’s ‘Figura’ for solo clarinet and ensemble, Mozart Concerto with the RLPO and Reich’s ‘New York Counterpoint’ for a Red Bull Underground club night. He is a founding member of the new music group Explore Ensemble, and the Rioja-based collective Ensemble Vindeleia, as well as a guest with groups such as Ensemble 360 and London Sinfonietta.
Benjamin graduated in 2015 from the Royal College of Music with First Class Honours as the Tegner Scholar. He studied with Barnaby Robson, Tim Lines, Richard Hosford and Michael Collins. Whilst at the RCM he won the Concerto Competition and the Clarinet Prize. He trained with the Australian Youth Orchestra and Britten-Pears Young Artist Program.
Also a committed teacher, Benjamin is a professor at the Royal Academy of Music and has been invited to give classes and examine at many of the UK’s conservatoires. He is a Yamaha Artist.
When not playing clarinet, he is interested in playing chess, producing electronic music and occasionally moonlighting as a barista in London coffee shops and markets.