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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Students have access to artist-level instruments

At Pacific’s Conservatory of Music students practice and perform on top-level, professional-quality woodwind instruments.

Flutes

  • Burkart Elite Deluxe Piccolo with wave style headjoint (1)
  • Yamaha YFL-AFL-A421 Alto Flute with gold brass head joint, body and footjoint (1)
  • Emerson Model B2 Bass Flute with a sterling silver Robert Dick headjoint (1)

Oboes/English Horns

  • F.Lorée Oboe, Grenadilla wood (1)
  • F.Lorée Oboe (1)
  • F.Lorée English Horn (1)

Clarinets

  • Buffet Crampon E Flat Clarinet (1)
  • Yamaha YCL-681 E Flat Clarinet (1)
  • Buffet Crampon B Flat Clarinet (1)
  • Buffet Crampon R13 A Clarinet (4)
  • Buffet Crampon Alto Clarinet (1)
  • Buffet Crampon Basset Horn (2)
  • Buffet Crampon Prestige Bass Clarinet with low C (2)
  • Selmer Depose Bass Clarinet with low C (1)
  • Bundy Contra-Alto Clarinet (1)
  • Selmer 41 Contra-Bass Clarinet (1)

Bassoons

  • Fox 601 Bassoon (2)
  • Fox 201 Bassoon (1)
  • Fox Contrabassoon, Model 900

Saxophones:

  • Yanagisawa Sopranino Saxophone (1)
  • Yamaha YSS-875EX Soprano Saxophone (1)
  • Selmer Series III Soprano Saxophone (1)
  • Selmer S-80 II Alto Saxophone (1)
  • Yamaha YTS-875EX Tenor Saxophone (1)
  • Yamaha YTS-82Z Tenor Saxophone (1)
  • Selmer Mark VI Baritone Saxophone (1)
  • Selmer Series II Baritone Saxophone (1)
  • Noblet Bass Saxophone (1)

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.

Large Ensemble Experience

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

Varied Ensembles

A hallmark of the Conservatory is the rigorous and intensive Varied Ensembles Program. You will play in a diverse variety of small groupings, collaborating creatively with your peers in other studios and programs. You will also benefit from working with faculty coaches from other conservatory programs.

Faculty Ensemble

You will have many opportunities to observe your teachers performing on a regular basis. The woodwind faculty plays often in solo and collaborative recitals as well as in the resident-artist Pacific Arts Woodwind Quintet.