oboe
Caroline Giassi (she/her) was born and raised in New York City where she began her musical career with a Cracker Jack box as a violin. She eventually graduated to a real, wooden instrument and later switched to the oboe. While pursuing her undergraduate degree in oboe performance at the University of Michigan, Caroline also earned a degree in comparative literature which fostered in her a love of approaching music in its original language, or, on its original instruments. This naturally led her to the world of performance practice and historical oboes.
As a freelance performer, Caroline enjoys a variety of opportunities to both perform with many of the country’s leading ensembles. This season’s highlights include chamber and orchestral performances with Opera Lafayette, Chatham Baroque, Boston Baroque The American Classical Orchestra, Pegasus Early Music, and Early Music Seattle.
In 2016, Caroline returned to Ann Arbor, MI as a guest artist at the University of Michigan where she now teaches baroque oboe and coaches performance practice. Other teaching engagements include past workshops at Louisiana State University, University of Texas – Austin, University of Missouri – Kansas City, and Montclair State University. Caroline also taught recorder to elementary school students in New York City as a teaching artist through S’Cool Sounds.
Caroline earned a B.A in Comparative Literature and a B.M in Oboe Performance from The University of Michigan, an M.M in Oboe Performance from the Yale School of Music, and an M.M in Historical Performance from The Juilliard School. Her principal teachers include Toyin Spellman-Diaz, Nancy Ambrose King, Stephen Taylor, and Gonzalo Ruiz.