Lisa Read is a professional oboist and educator based in Boulder, Colorado. She currently serves as Principal Oboe with the Longmont Symphony Orchestra and the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra. Her musical path has been shaped by a deep commitment to collaboration, chamber music, and expressive orchestral performance.
Lisa earned her Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance from the Eastman School of Music and her Master’s degree from the USC Thornton School of Music. She is completing her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Oboe Performance at the University of Colorado Boulder, with an expected completion date of May 2024.
An active performer, Lisa has extensive experience across orchestral and chamber music settings and has studied and performed on baroque oboe, oboe d’amore, and English horn. Her artistic interests center on collaborative music-making and historically informed performance, both of which inform her approach as a performer and teacher.
In addition to performing, Lisa specializes in oboe reed making and cane processing, crafting reeds for oboists at all levels. She is passionate about helping students develop their individual musical voices—whether through technical mastery of the instrument, intuitive reed making, or deeper artistic connection to the music. Lisa is dedicated to fostering growth, confidence, and curiosity in a supportive, community-centered learning environment.
Outside of music, Lisa enjoys spending time with her pets, painting, dancing, and making music with friends.