ONKS WOODWIND SPECIALISTS - Key Persons
Caroline is an oboist from Bryant, AR. There she had the opportunity to stay in-state for undergrad to study under Dr. Dan Ross at Arkansas State University, earning a Bachelor of Music Performance. At ASU, Caroline was able to watch and learn from Dr. Ross about reed making and cane processing. Not only did Dr. Ross build and service Ross gouging machines, he also taught the Instrument Repair class and frequently worked on oboes and other instruments in his office. Studying under Dr. Ross sparked Caroline's interest in reed making and repair. Upon graduation, Caroline attended Baylor University to earn a Master of Music Performance, studying under Dr. Euridice Alvarez. At Baylor she was a TA, giving her the opportunity to teach weekly reed lessons to each undergraduate student in the oboe studio and assist in teaching weekly studio reed class. She also held an apprenticeship at a local woodwind repair shop in Waco. Upon graduation from Baylor, Caroline began an oboe reed business, Caroline's Cane Co., and stayed in Waco growing a private oboe studio and teaching private lessons at local schools. Caroline enjoys anything to do with being outdoors. Hiking, running, and CrossFit are some of her favorite hobbies, but most importantly, spending time with her sweet dog Bonnie. Caroline joined the Onks Woodwind team in July 2022.
Born in Saint Louis, Missouri, Nick comes from a very musical family. Three of his four siblings majored in music, his mother was his high school music teacher, and his father is a self-taught poet/guitarist. Nick spent 16 years in South Florida studying oboe performance as well as working as a freelance oboist. Starting off at the University of Miami for his Bachelor degree, Nick continued studying at Florida International University. He then transferred his credits to Lynn University in Boca Raton, where he completed a professional performance certificate and a Master's degree in oboe performance. Over the course of his education, Nick has had the privilege of working under Jan Parks (former sub for St. Louis Symphony), Marc Gordon, (former English Horn for St. Louis Symphony), Robert Weiner, (University of Miami), Jared Hauser, (Vanderbilt University), and Joseph Robinson (Lynn Conservatory and former principal for the New York Philharmonic). Nick's many talents include teaching private lessons, offering woodwind mentoring work, freelancing for many local orchestras, and making oboe/EH reeds for oboists across the country. Nick, his wife, Isabel, and their young daughter made a life change in 2017 and came to work for Onks Woodwind Specialists in Tennessee.
Sam was born in Nashville, TN. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Industry from Middle Tennessee State University. While at MTSU, Sam studied oboe with Rebecca Van de Ven and Dr. Grace Woodworth. He serves as a woodwind instructor for an area high school in Williamson County and maintains a private studio on all woodwind instruments with a primary focus on oboe. His students have been selected for honors such as Mid-State, All-State, and Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts. In his free time, Sam enjoys kayaking, fishing and spending time with family and friends. Sam joined the Onks Woodwind team in May of 2019.