Oboe Oh-Wooo!

Clinicians

Dwight Parry is the principal oboist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Assistant Professor of Oboe at Bowling Green State University. He is also Adjunct Professor of Oboe and Chamber Music at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He is a versatile and passionate soloist, an avid chamber musician and an active advocate for new music, performing and teaching around the world. Mr. Parry's background in jazz has led him to pursue a career that spans from concert halls to the streets of New Orleans, where he has sat in and improvised with Dixie bands.

In May of 2022, Mr. Parry premiered a wonderful new oboe concerto, Les Belles Heures, by Guillaume Connesson, which was commissioned for him by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He was then featured in the same piece with the Springfield (MO) Symphony. Mr. Parry went on to give the US premiere of Carl Vine's Oboe Concerto with the Ohio Valley Symphony later that year. In recent seasons, he performed the Martinů Oboe Concerto with the CCM Chamber Orchestra and the Strauss Oboe Concerto with the Prague Summer Nights Festival in the Czech Republic. He has also been a soloist with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra for JS Bach's Brandenburg Concertos 1&2. After collaborating with Hansjörg Schellenberger in Mexico City, he was invited to Tokyo as a judge for the 2018 and 2023 Sony International Oboe Competitions. In May 2025, he performed the Strauss Oboe Concerto with the Jakarta Symphony Orchestra in Indonesia. Then in July, Mr. Parry gave the African premiere of Connesson's Les Belles Heures with the Stellenbosch Festival Orchestra in South Africa.

Mr. Parry was formerly principal oboist of the San Diego Symphony and a Fellow with the New World Symphony. He has appeared as guest principal oboist with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, LA Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony, Deutsche Symphonie of Berlin and Korean Broadcasting Symphony.

Originally from coastal Southern California, he found his passion for music early on through piano, voice, and saxophone. In high school, Mr. Parry took up the oboe and decided to make a life in music. He went on to study at the Cleveland Institute of Music with John Mack and at the University of Southern California with Allan Vogel and David Weiss, a gentleman who also taught him to surf!

During the summer, he has taught at the Pacific Music Festival, the Interlochen Academy for the Arts and the Stellenbosch International Music Festival in South Africa. He also performs with the Grand Teton Festival Orchestra, the Mainly Mozart Festival, the Lakes Area Music Festival, and Arizona MusicFest. In those rare moments when he is without an oboe in hand, he can be found attending concerts, plays, and other community events. He spends the rest of his time hiking, reading, volunteering, tossing frisbees, and creating curiosities in the kitchen.

Karen Barnick Pfeifer is the Instructor of Oboe at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. A passionate music educator, she is dedicated to cultivating musical excellence and a lifelong love of music in each of her students.

In 2011, Karen was honored with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra Music Educator's Award for her outstanding contributions to oboe instruction. Her students have achieved remarkable success, including recognition as two-time YoungArts finalists and a U.S. Marine Band Concert Competition finalist. They have also earned first-chair placements in the National Orchestra and Band (NAfME), secured multiple OMEA All-State Band and Orchestra positions, and held principal chairs in top regional select ensembles.

Karen is an active advocate for the music community. She has presented at the Ohio Music Educators Association Conference, including her engaging session "Lions, Tigers, and Oboes! My!" She organized "Oboe Song," a performance series that highlighted student talents at the Ohio State Fair art gallery. At Ohio Wesleyan University, she frequently performs, leads an annual Oboe Master Class Series, and conducts group reed-making classes to enhance students' skills.

Beyond the university, Karen is a faculty member at Chamber Music Connection and Co-Chair of its Scholarship Committee. She is also a respected adjudicator for the New Albany Concerto Competition, contributing her expertise to fostering young talent.

As a performer, Karen serves as Principal Oboist for the New Albany Symphony Orchestra and Central Ohio Symphony. She has been a featured soloist with these ensembles and previously held the position of Principal Oboist with the Columbus Bach Ensemble and Opera Project Columbus. Her orchestral experience also includes performances with the Columbus Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Mansfield Symphony, Camarata and more. Karen's educational journey began at The Ohio State University, where she earned dual undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Oboe Performance under the guidance of William P. Baker. She completed her Master of Music in Oboe Performance at Temple University, studying with the renowned English hornist Louis Rosenblatt of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Karen resides in Dublin, Ohio, with her husband Bob, a clarinetist, and their family, including their beloved fluffy dog. Together, they share a rich musical life and contribute to the vibrancy of the Central Ohio arts community.