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How Serious Oboists Finally Stop Fighting Their Reeds and Play with Total Confidence
For Avocational and Professional Oboists Only
This workshop is for oboists who:
- second-guess their reeds
- choose not to take the solo, even when they are more than capable
- practise for hours alone in a room without ever considering that their playing is valuable to others
- have internalized a message that taking up musical space is selfish, or too much
- apologize before or after they play
- are ready to admit that their sound is important to them
For short scrape and long scrape players.
For oboists seeking more joy, ease, and connection in their playing.
500+ oboists trained
What oboists are saying
Kathy C.
Student, Oboe Path
This group is wonderful — everyone is supportive, offering positive feedback and helpful suggestions. As a visual and auditory learner, I find it incredibly beneficial to see and hear others’ postings, especially from advanced players. Erin’s feedback is invaluable. I was initially anxious about giving up my private teacher, but the Oboe Path complements my private lessons perfectly. As adult learners, we absorb so much from different teaching styles, and it’s reassuring to see my teachers’ messages align in different ways.
Carol L.
Student, Oboe Path
Erin has helped me on the gap in techniques that allowed me to express my musicianship. Oboe Path certainly is right for me.
Annie M.
Student, Oboe Path
This community feels like a family. The support we offer each other is special and goes beyond one-on-one lessons. While I value individual lessons, the group dynamic is incredible. I have learned so much from everyone’s experiences, and I keep notes in my Oboe Path book like ‘Gary said this,’ building a personal guide. Sharing ideas and music has helped me grow as a player and person. Connecting with like-minded people and having their support makes me better in every way.
Nadina M.
Bassoon Soloist and Educator
Oboe Path sounds like an ideal university program yet is quite hard to achieve, for a hundred reasons, in universities. Wonderful that Erin is building her own structure and inviting players to join.
Erin Brophey
Erin shares the joy of music-making with audiences across Canada. Erin is currently the Principal Oboe of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra (on sabbatical). Previously, Erin held the position of section oboe and English horn with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra for eight seasons. Erin is also an active freelance musician, and has performed with many Canadian orchestras, including the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Nova Scotia, the Regina Symphony Orchestra, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, the Charlottetown Festival Orchestra and the Elora Festival Orchestra.
In 2000, Erin earned her Honours Bachelor of Music from Wilfrid Laurier University where she studied with James Mason. She completed her Master of Music degree at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania under the tutelage of Cynthia Koledo de Almeida in 2002.
Erin is so grateful to have performed in many summer festivals nation-wide including Festival of the Sound, West Ben Festival, Elora Festival, Stratford Music Festival, Tafelmusik Summer Baroque Institute, National Youth Orchestra of Canada, L'Orchestre de la Francophonie, and the National Academy Orchestra. Erin also performed at the Ritornello Festival with the Gryphon Trio.
As a performer, Erin is interested in the intersection of art forms and offering meaningful cultural experiences to audiences. She has a particular interest in music written by composers that identify as women and people of colour.
A joyful educator, Erin Brophey is a sessional lecturer at the University of Saskatchewan and is the Woodwind Coach for the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra. In Saskatoon, Erin co-directs a community double-reed band called Squawk and is active in new music programming. In addition, Erin is on faculty at the Inter-Provincial Music Camp in Parry Sound, Ontario.
Join the 'Play with Joy and Ease' Workshop
Reserve your seat for the August 17th event — sessions fill quickly.
Short scrape or long scrape — you belong here.