Russell Hoffman*

Oboist Russell Hoffman has performed with many leading orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera, Pittsburgh Symphony, New York City Ballet, and New York City Opera. He was appointed in 2021 to the position of Principal Oboe with the Illinois Symphony, and previously held the position of Associate Principal Oboe and Solo English Horn with Symphony in C (NJ). He holds degrees from the Curtis Institute and the Juilliard School, where he studied with Richard Woodhams and Nathan Hughes. He previously studied with Richard Dallessio in The Juilliard School Pre-College Division, where he served as teaching assistant from 2014-2017. In recent summers he has performed at the Aspen, Lucerne, Sarasota, Spoleto, Tanglewood and Verbier festivals, as well as the Music Academy of the West and the National Orchestral Institute. He received additional instruction from Robert Atherholt, Elaine Douvas, John Ferrillo, and Linda Strommen. Born in Morristown, New Jersey, he began his musical studies on piano with Ray Menard, and later on oboe with Lynne Cohen. When away from the oboe, he enjoys cooking and yoga.