Christopher Tingay studied with Alan Vivian at the Canberra School of Music, graduating in 1990 with a Bachelor of Music degree with Distinction. He was Principal Clarinet with the Australian Youth Orchestra from 1989 until 1991, touring with them to the USA and South America in 1991. After studying in Paris and London, Christopher was appointed as Second Clarinet in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in 1993; a position he has now held for more than 32 years. Since joining the Sydney Symphony he has toured with them multiple times to Europe, the USA, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Korea, China and Malaysia. Christopher has played with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonic, Opera Australia Orchestra, Canberra Symphony Orchestra Australia Ensemble. With the Sydney Symphony and Australian Chamber Orchestra, Christopher has made many recordings on the Channel Classics, Octavia, ABC Classics and Sydney Symphony Live labels.
Christopher is passionate about music education. He tutors wind sections for both the Sydney and Australian Youth Orchestras and is regularly on their audition panels. He has been the clarinet tutor at six National Music Camps and lectures in clarinet part-time at the Sydney Conservatorium. He is actively involved with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s Education Programs, particularly Playerlink, a regional program bringing together high school students to play in a symphony orchestra, often for the first time.