Oboist Caitlin Kramer, a native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, has performed and taught around the United States. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in oboe performance at DePauw University, studying with Anna Mattix (now solo English horn of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra), and her master’s degree in oboe performance at The San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying with San Francisco Symphony oboist Pamela G. Smith.

Caitlin spent over a decade on the Las Vegas strip playing for commercial music shows and artists like Hugh Jackman, Andrea Bocelli, Johnny Mathis, Weird Al Yankovic, Evanescence, Amy Grant, Natalie Merchant, Seth MacFarlane and many more. During her tenure in the desert she also performed frequently with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Opera Las Vegas and Nevada Pops Orchestra. However, it was during her earliest days on the Las Vegas strip that she began talking to other musicians and hearing about the need for oboe teachers in the valley. Shortly thereafter, she began traveling around to public schools in Clark County School District daily to help middle and high school oboists improve their skills and confidence on the oboe.

Caitlin’s students have been accepted to many prestigious institutes and oboe programs including Interlochen, Mpulse, Adrit, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and fine oboe studios across the world, including McGill, University of Michigan, USC, Indiana University, Michigan State, DePauw University, University of Iowa, Arizona State University, University of Colorado Boulder and many more!

Currently Caitlin plays oboe and English horn with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra, South Bend Symphony Orchestra, West Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Holland Symphony Orchestra, Holland Bach Society and others.

Caitlin teaches a large studio of aspiring middle school and high school students privately, helping them with college preparation. During the summer, she works with students at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and is proud to teach the oboists at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Caitlin plays Yamaha oboes, and is a Yamaha Performing Artist.

Education

• BM, music performance, DePauw University, 2007
• MM, music performance, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 2009

Areas of Expertise

• Oboe pedagogy
• Engaging and inspiring young oboists
• English horn

Outside of Music

Caitlin is mom to an amazing, musical and funny son, Noah. In 2023 their family grew when Cailtin married her husband, Nate, and gained two bonus kids, Kylie and Wyatt. Caitlin loves spending time with family and in nature, animals, coffee and bookshops, wineries and breweries.