YOLA students this summer had the pleasure of playing Saint-Saens Organ Symphony with the majestic organ at Disney Hall in Los Angeles.  The other pieces of their program included, Shostakovich's Festive Overture, El Caiman, and a beautifully played English horn solo in Hailstork's Three Spirtuals.  So proud of all of my students who flew in from around the country.

Very excited to have been invited to be oboe faculty for the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles International Festival (YOLA International) In Los Angeles, CA.  College and young professional students of the festival come from all over the country on a full scholarship and work with amazing coaches and faculty from around the world, including giving a final performance at Walt Disney Hall under the direction of Maestro Gustavo Dudamel, music director of the LA Phil.  This year one of my festival students was given the opportunity to perform the English horn solo from Rossini's William Tell Overture for the first time ever.  I couldn't be more proud of the oboe students at the festival!  Please contact for more information if interested in future festivals!

It was such an honor to perform with friends and colleagues from around the country on CNN's live broadcast of A Juneteenth Celebration.  We filmed the concert live from the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA with the Recollective Orchestra.  It is a performance that I will never forget!

Congrats to Sam Bekolay for being chosen to perform a solo with her high school band on the final concert of the year!  Samantha beautifully performed the Paladihle Oboe Concerto with the Bloomfield Hills High School band, under the direction of Alan Posner.  Beautiful playing tonight..I couldn't be more proud!

Congrats to graduating senior Samantha Bekolay for winning the Concerto Competition at Bloomfield Hills High School.  Sam was one of only two winners in the entire school to win and her prize includes an all expense paid trip to Europe for the summer of 2022.  What a fantastic prize!  Samantha won by performing the Poulenc Oboe Sonata

Congrats to middle school student, Anna Fox, who won a scholarship with the St. Clair Music Club.  Anna won a cash prize and will continue to compete in other concerto competitions next school year

I had a blast playing at Carnegie Hall with the Jon Batiste and the Gateways Symphony Orchestra!  Great to be back on the stage of Carnegie again after all these years!

Congrats to 8th grade student Edgar W. (Norup MS) for winning a solo competition for his school!  Edgar received a cash prize for the competition and performed a Bach Gavotte

Congrats to Samantha Bekolay for winning the Grand Rapids Symphony Concerto Competition!  Sam received a cash prize for her reward to use for college

I'm completely in love with these new formal shirts from Coregami that are designed specifically for musicians. I own them in several different styles and colors and highly recommend them!  Whether wearing them under tuxedo jackets, suits jackets, or even buy themselves, they are a must have for any professional musician!
www.coregami.com