WELCOME TO 
EVERYTHING OBOE

ABOUT ME

I have a Masters Degree in Music Performance from the Manhattan School of Music in New York, studying with Joe Robinson (the former Principal Oboist of the New York Philharmonic), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Central Michigan University, studying with Roger Rehm. After completing my education, I performed with the Mexico City Philharmonic, and spent many summers performing all over the world — in Spoleto, Italy; Graz, Austria; and the former Soviet Union. Throughout my career, I have always worked as a professional oboist, English hornist, and music educator. I have a passion for all things oboe, and am driven to share this passion with others.  

As a performer, I have a successful career performing with all the major orchestras in the San Francisco Bay Area. I built this career after moving to San Francisco in 1992. My current contracted positions are with the Sacramento Philharmonic, Opera, Ballet, and Choral Society, and the Monterey Symphony.  I am equally comfortable on both oboe and English horn (the sister instrument of the oboe).

As an educator, I am privileged to be the resident and sole oboe instructor at Forrests Music, an oboe and bassoon specialty shop in Berkeley, CA. Forrests Music is a nationwide mecca for oboists and bassoonists, and is the first place to look in the Bay Area to find an oboe instructor. I have instructed and guided students at all ability levels, and ages from 10 to 80. The wide range of students in my studio have provided me significant insight into how to use different approaches for each age group, ability, and personality. I am successful at crafting individual plans for students depending on how each best learns, rather than developing a set method into which each student must fit. My own playing is constantly evolving through teaching, and my lifelong deep connection to music strongly comes through to my students.

Playing the oboe can be fun!

WHO DO I TEACH?

• Beginning oboists of all ages including adults

• Band students in elementary school, middle school and high school.  

• Adults new to the oboe 

• Adults that used to play the oboe and want to dust it off and play again.  

• Amateur musicians who just want to play duets with a professional. 

WHAT SERVICES DO I OFFER TO MY STUDENTS: 

• Help with renting or buying an instrument

• Reed making or help with selecting store bought reeds

• Learning to read music

• Rhythm and basic music theory

• Learning to practice and make the most of practice time.  

• Learning to love music 

• Finding ensembles to play with​

• Crafting an individual plan for each student depending on how they best learn rather than developing a set method into which each student must fit.