Woodwind Soloist

Tori Conner’s journey as an oboist is one driven by passion, dedication, and a lifelong commitment to musical excellence. A native of Houston, Texas, Tori has been captivated by the sound of the oboe for over 12 years. Her musical roots took hold in the Houston Youth Symphony, where she consistently earned Outstanding ratings from the Texas Music Educators Association. She received a Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance and a minor in Arts Administration from Louisiana State University and went on to earn a her Master of Music in Oboe Performance at the Bard Conservatory. While at Bard, Tori performed with the Bard Conservatory Orchestra, The Orchestra Now at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Bard’s East West Ensemble at Carnegie Hall.

Tori’s orchestral career has flourished across several esteemed ensembles, including the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, the Rapides Symphony Orchestra, and the Louisiana State University Symphony Orchestra, where she won first place in the 2021 Spring Auditions. In addition to her orchestral work, Tori has played with the Louisiana State University Wind Ensemble and is an active chamber musician at school and in the community.

During the summer months, Tori has attended prestigious festivals such as the Mostly Modern Music Festival, the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival, and the Hidden Valley Oboe Seminar. Tori’s musical education has been shaped by a diverse range of mentors. She studied under the guidance of Elaine Douvas, Ryan Roberts, and Alexandra Knoll, building on the foundation laid by her previous teachers, including Johanna Cox Pennington, James Tyler, and Anne Leek. She has also honed her skills through masterclasses with some of the world’s top oboists, including James Ryon, Pedro Diaz, Toyin Spellman-Diaz, Nancy Ambrose King, Ian Wisekal, and others, each of whom has helped to shape her into the remarkable performer she is today.

In addition to performance, Tori is passionate about arts administration. She has worked with organizations including Kids’ Orchestra in Baton Rouge, LA, the Marlboro Music Festival, and the Seven Hills Chamber Music Festival. She now serves as the Development Coordinator with the Albany Symphony, combining her artistic background and administrative expertise to support the orchestra’s mission. Beyond music, Tori is a lover of animals and art, enjoys being with friends, and never misses an opportunity to have ice cream.