Geoffrey is a dedicated oboe teacher with a passion for helping students grow as musicians. Based in the Detroit Metro area, he works both in person and virtually with oboe players of all levels, offering personalized instruction grounded in real-world experience.
With over fifteen years of experience with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Geoffrey brings deep professional insight to his teaching. In addition to DSO, his performance credits also include work with top orchestras like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa), Pittsburgh Symphony, Honolulu Symphony, Detroit Chamber Winds, Detroit Opera, the Recollective Orchestra, as well as recording studios in both Los Angeles and Detroit.
In addition to his private teaching, Geoffrey has served as an adjunct oboe professor at Western Michigan University and currently serves as woodwind faculty for YOLA Summer Festival (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles), where he works with young musicians from across the country. Whether in the studio or on stage, Geoffrey is committed to supporting the next generation of oboists through thoughtful, inspiring instruction.
Conveniently located in Royal Oak, MI, the oboe studio is easily accessible from Ferndale, Troy, Clawson, Madison Heights, Birmingham, Berkley, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Farmington, Grosse Pointe, Livonia, Walled Lake, Utica, Flint, and more!
With over fifteen years of experience with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Geoffrey brings deep professional insight to his teaching. In addition to DSO, his performance credits also include work with top orchestras like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa), Pittsburgh Symphony, Honolulu Symphony, Detroit Chamber Winds, Detroit Opera, the Recollective Orchestra, as well as recording studios in both Los Angeles and Detroit.
In addition to his private teaching, Geoffrey has served as an adjunct oboe professor at Western Michigan University and currently serves as woodwind faculty for YOLA Summer Festival (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles), where he works with young musicians from across the country. Whether in the studio or on stage, Geoffrey is committed to supporting the next generation of oboists through thoughtful, inspiring instruction.
Conveniently located in Royal Oak, MI, the oboe studio is easily accessible from Ferndale, Troy, Clawson, Madison Heights, Birmingham, Berkley, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Farmington, Grosse Pointe, Livonia, Walled Lake, Utica, Flint, and more!
Private lesson students’ achievements include:
- High school students winning chairs in Michigan, Texas & California All-State Orchestras (2021, 2020, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2009)
- First divisions at state solo & ensemble competitions
- Concerto Competition Winners
- Selected to perform in top youth orchestras locally and around the country
- Selected to perform at Michigan Youth Arts Festival & Michigan Honors Band
- Acceptance into Interlochen Academy for the Arts
- College scholarship recipients at major universities and conservatories around the country
- Receiving FULL music scholarships to major universities as oboe performance majors
- Acceptance into National Youth Orchestra (NYO), MPluse (University of Michigan), Blue Lake International Festival, Interlochen Summer camp
Private lessons are offered year round for beginners to advanced, and include individual attention on:
There are several options for lessons:
Reed Making Classes
Learn to scrape your own reeds from start to finish—or improve store-bought ones to better fit your playing style.
Geoffrey has trained directly with John Ferrillo and Shelley Heron, and brings expert knowledge in setting up gouging machines for peak performance. He offers blade replacements and precision adjustments for Ferrillo (HDR), Graf, and Ross machines.
- Technique practice with advanced rhythms, scales & arpeggios
- Preparation of music for solo & ensemble
- Help with band & orchestra music
- Preparation of music for scholarship and college auditions
- Reed making
- Instrument repair
- Orchestral Excerpts
- Double Tonguing exercises
- Music theory
There are several options for lessons:
- 30-minute lessons – middle school and adult only
- 45-minute lessons – middle school, high school, adult
- 60-minute lessons - middle school, high school, adult
- Online lessons - middle school, high school, adult
Reed Making Classes
Learn to scrape your own reeds from start to finish—or improve store-bought ones to better fit your playing style.
- Beginner: Tying reeds, basic scraping, and adjusting commercial reeds.
- Intermediate: Advanced scraping techniques for tone, pitch, and response; knife sharpening; detailed reed adjustments.
- Advanced: Cane shaping, gouging, and gouger setup for full reed-making independence.
Geoffrey has trained directly with John Ferrillo and Shelley Heron, and brings expert knowledge in setting up gouging machines for peak performance. He offers blade replacements and precision adjustments for Ferrillo (HDR), Graf, and Ross machines.
Please visit my blog to see students' recent accomplishments!!