University of the Pacific's woodwind faculty will prepare you to succeed in a wide range of career options, including orchestral membership, chamber music, studio recording, free-lance performance, teaching or broader entrepreneurial pursuits. We are committed to your success after graduation.

One-on-one nurturing attention is given to each student in weekly lessons. Excellent staff pianists and inspiring classmates provide ample opportunity to hone your collaborative skills. All of our woodwind studios offer like-instrument ensemble playing, as well as instruction on various auxiliary instruments. 

You will also benefit from frequent guest artists visiting the Pacific campus and from our proximity to the Stockton Symphony and other excellent regional orchestras and arts presenters—as well as to the world-class San Francisco Symphony, Opera and Ballet—all offering tremendous experiential learning opportunities nearby. 

Faculty

Kyle Bruckmann, oboe

Kyle Bruckmann, oboe

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Nicolasa Kuster

Nicolasa Kuster, bassoon

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Richardo Martinez

Ricardo Martinez, saxophone

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Patricia Shands

Patricia Shands, clarinet

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Brittany Trotter

Brittany Trotter, flute

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Performance Opportunities

You will have weekly opportunities to perform with and for your peers in studio and chamber music classes, in the Orchestral Repertoire and Audition Preparation Seminar, and during Conservatory Concert Hour. You will learn in individual and group settings about the fundamentals of your instrument and the varied aspects of performing.

Ensemble participation is an integral part of the woodwind experience at Pacific. All wind students audition for placement each year in the University Symphony OrchestraSymphonic Wind Ensemble and University Concert Band.

A hallmark of the Conservatory is the rigorous and intensive Varied Small Ensembles Program. You will play in a diverse variety of small groupings before graduating, collaborating creatively with your peers in other studios and programs. You will also benefit from the opportunity to work with coaches drawn from the entire Conservatory faculty.

The faculty performs often, in solo and collaborative recitals as well as in the resident Pacific Arts Woodwind Quintet, giving students opportunities to observe their teachers on a regular basis.