Sarah Bates-Kennard

Education

• 2026 (Expected)
  DMA (ABD), Music Performance (Oboe)
  Arizona State University
• 2011
  MM, Music Performance (Oboe)
  The University of Texas at Austin
• 2009
  BM, Music Education
  Youngstown State University

Bio

Sarah Bates-Kennard is a freelance oboist and double reed specialist based in Cleveland, Ohio, and a native of Brookfield, Ohio. She performs regularly with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, Canton Symphony, and other groups throughout Northeast Ohio. She is former Principal Oboe of the Temple Symphony Orchestra (Texas) and has appeared as guest oboe and English horn with groups such as The Phoenix Symphony, Austin Symphony Orchestra, and Brazos Valley Symphony. Sarah has served as a Lecturer at Case Western Reserve University. Other teaching experience includes serving for several years as the Teaching Assistant for Interlochen Oboe Intensives and as a Teaching Artist for Miami Music Project, an El-Sistema style after school program in Miami, FL.

At home in a variety of genres, Sarah enjoys recording for up-and-coming jazz composers and has recorded with the Atlas Piazzolla Quintet. Additionally, she has performed extensively on Baroque oboe and oboe da caccia, including appearances with the Oregon Bach Festival, Bach Society of Minnesota, and La Follia Austin Baroque. She was a founding member of the Austin Baroque Orchestra, with whom she performed Baroque oboe, recorder, traverso, and shawm for eight seasons. Sarah also has significant bassoon experience, including years of private study with the late Bill Byo and Dr. Albie Micklich.

Sarah is a doctoral candidate at Arizona State University, currently completing her doctoral project, commissioning tango and jazz recital works for the oboe. She holds degrees from The University of Texas at Austin and Youngstown State University. She has primarily studied oboe with Martin Schuring, Rebecca Henderson, and Ted Perkins.