Beth Levia
Oboe
Beth Levia has played third oboe and substitute Principal Oboe with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for more than two decades and has played with several Edmonton based ensembles including the Alberta Baroque Ensemble and the Citadel Theatre Orchestra.
A founding member of WindRose Trio, Ms. Levia can be heard on their debut recording “Path of Contact”, the 2009 winner of the Western Canadian Music Award for best classical recording. In 2015 WindRose trio performed a recital of Canadian music for reed trio at the International Double Reed Society conference in Tokyo, Japan, and in August 2016 they were the first Canadian ensemble to play at the Harbin Summer Music Festival in Harbin, China.
Beth has been a featured soloist performing Albinoni's Double Concerto Op.9 with the Alberta Baroque Ensemble; Bach's Double concerto with the Wye String Ensemble and ESO Principal flutist Elizabeth Koch, and Vaughn-William's Concerto for Oboe with the Concordia Orchestra. She is a teaching artist at Kings University, and maintains a private studio.
Ms. Levia holds a Master’s degree in Oboe Performance from McGill University and a Bachelor’s degree in Oboe Performance (with honour) from Michigan State University. Her principal teachers have been Suzanne Lemieux, Daniel Stolper, and Normand Forget. Beth's students have gone on to play professionally in The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (London, UK), The Edmonton Symphony, and The Royal Canadian Artillery Band. Many of her students have gone on to study oboe at post-secondary institutions across Canada and internationally.
Teaching Quote/Philosophy:
Students flourish when they are inspired and having fun. For this reason I try to make lessons a highlight of their week; I try to inspire them to want to practice for the fun of it, and what is more fun than getting better on your instrument? And scales!
Lesson Description:
Lessons take place in Beth's home studio.
Students can expect weekly assignments to practice at home.
Students will have input into what kind of material they are assigned and will help set their own goals.
Education and Certification:
Master of Music in Oboe Performance, McGill University
Bachelor of Music (with Honours) in Oboe Performance, Michigan State University
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra - Casual
WindRose Trio
Alberta Baroque Ensemble
Edmonton Musicians' Association
Testimonial:
"Beth is a highly skilled teacher and performer who uses her delightful wit to bring joy to all her musical projects."
"Beth is an extremely talented musician and teacher. My daughter has a greater appreciation for music and is motivated to practice her oboe largely due to Beth's teaching. She has a supportive, caring, and fun approach to teaching which makes learning that much easier. My daughter looks forward to her lessons with Beth every week!”
"As an adult learner and as a teacher myself, I cannot say enough in praise of Beth’s gift for imparting not only sound technical foundations but also the joy of musicianship, of making the oboe sound beautiful, even in the very first lessons."
“An incredible teacher and mentor, Beth taught me how to pick up the oboe, how to win a spot at one of the world's most competitive conservatories - and everything in between." -Eric Davidson
