Teaching
Welcome! I look forward to helping you reach your musical and oboe-related goals through lessons that are engaging, inspiring, and fun! The oboe has a reputation for being one of the most challenging instruments to learn, but with the proper guidance and equipment it can be a joy.
I am an experienced, enthusiastic teacher, and I enjoy working with students of all ages and levels of ability. I have eight years of experience teaching oboe at the university level, as Oboe Instructor at Wilfrid Laurier University and Stephen F. Austin State University. During this time, I also maintained a studio of private students, working with oboists ranging from grade five to adult amateurs. I co-ran a double reed camp in London, Ontario, for several years and was the oboe faculty for a double reed reed camp run by Bocal Majority in Houston, Texas. I am also a frequent guest clinician at universities including Ohio State University, Penn State University, Kenyon College, the University of Victoria, and Western University. I love getting to know each student's individual musical personality and helping them to become their own best teacher!
Lessons take place at my house in State College, Pennsylvania, or online via Zoom. Any interested student will receive a free trial lesson! Please contact me for current lesson rates.
If you are interested in signing up, please send me a message using the contact form. I look forward to helping you discover what an incredible and rewarding experience the study of music can be!
I am an experienced, enthusiastic teacher, and I enjoy working with students of all ages and levels of ability. I have eight years of experience teaching oboe at the university level, as Oboe Instructor at Wilfrid Laurier University and Stephen F. Austin State University. During this time, I also maintained a studio of private students, working with oboists ranging from grade five to adult amateurs. I co-ran a double reed camp in London, Ontario, for several years and was the oboe faculty for a double reed reed camp run by Bocal Majority in Houston, Texas. I am also a frequent guest clinician at universities including Ohio State University, Penn State University, Kenyon College, the University of Victoria, and Western University. I love getting to know each student's individual musical personality and helping them to become their own best teacher!
Lessons take place at my house in State College, Pennsylvania, or online via Zoom. Any interested student will receive a free trial lesson! Please contact me for current lesson rates.
If you are interested in signing up, please send me a message using the contact form. I look forward to helping you discover what an incredible and rewarding experience the study of music can be!
Testimonials
"Graham brings his love of music, and enthusiasm for teaching to every lesson, as well as boundless patience and encouragement. When I told him I hoped to play in the community orchestra one day, Graham was completely supportive and, within a year of taking lessons with him, I was able to join the London Community Orchestra. Now my goals have become more long-term: the continual development of oboe playing, reed making, and interpretation of music. Graham teaches an excellent method of reed making, and really enjoys helping his students develop their abilities for music interpretation and appreciation. I leave every lesson feeling happy and positive, with a clear idea of what I want to accomplish in my practice for the following week.”
Laura Weaver
London, Ontario
"I am an adult learner, and have been playing the oboe for about four years. Graham Mackenzie has been my oboe teacher for only four months, but in that time, I have learned important things to improve my oboe performance. This has been exciting as some points were so easy to learn with him yet missed previously! I appreciate his earnestness, patience, thoughtfulness and professional approach. Even though he is a seasoned professional who is stunning just to listen to, he seems to remember what it was like to be a student, analyzes my playing, and targets what I need to understand to move forward. I now feel supported and on a learning journey in which I am confident I can be successful in, thanks to Graham. His insights and help have also significantly improved my reed making. I am looking forward to continuing my studies with him."
Joris van Daele
London, Ontario