Ben Roidl-Ward

Named one of 23 artists “changing the sound of classical music” by The Washington Post, Ben Roidl-Ward has been praised for his “dazzling technique” (The Sydney Morning Herald), “breathless virtuosity” (Bandcamp Daily), and “astounding flexibility and range” (The Double Reed).

Ben is Assistant Professor of Bassoon at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Principal Bassoonist of the Chicago Sinfonietta, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra. A devoted performer of contemporary music, he is the bassoonist of Chicago's Ensemble Dal Niente and served as a Contemporary Leader and Bassoon Coach for the Lucerne Festival from 2021 to 2025.

Ben's dedication to collaborating with composers of his generation has led him to premiere more than 200 compositions. An alumnus of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, he earned his DMA from Northwestern University, where he studied with David McGill. His previous teachers include Ben Kamins (Rice University), George Sakakeeny (Oberlin Conservatory), and Francine Peterson.