WELCOME

to HB Oboe

In this space you’ll find excellent opportunities to become a better oboist. Playing the oboe has challenges and regular lessons are a very important part of improving. We are a unique breed, if I may. Oboists have the privilege of making our own mouthpiece, the double reed.

The beginning of my study of oboe was at the age of 10 in the school band. I grew into an accomplished oboist through regular lessons, performances and learning to make my own oboe reeds.

My studies took me to The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University where I was the recipient of the Zaidee T. Thomas Award in instrumental performance. There I studied with Sara Watkins Shirley-Quirk, the first female principal oboist of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington DC. At Peabody, I earned a BM and GPD in oboe performance. Other influential teachers I have studied with are Ray Still of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, John Mack of The Cleveland Orchestra, Harry Sargous, Jill West, and my high school teacher Juliane Strelau Koscinski.

I love to perform and found opportunities to play in orchestras and as a soloist on oboe and English horn in the US, Germany, Russia, South Africa, Egypt, Jordan and Israel. Music wonderfully opens many doors and is a bridge between different cultures.

I’ve had the privilege to play in orchestras led by world-class conductors such as Marin Alsop, Richard Bradshaw, Catherine Comet, Leon Fleisher, William McGlaughlin, Awadagin Pratt and Jeffrey Tate.

And, I found that it is a joy to share what I have learned through teaching. I hold no bias toward students. We all can and do learn, at any age and at any level.

Please let me know how I can help you or your student, learn to be a better oboist and reed maker. Dedication, patience and practice are the roots of being a successful oboist.

I look forward to helping you!