Oboist Bhavani Kotha was a winner of the 2019 National Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition and the National Federation of Music Clubs Carolyn Nelson Double Reed Award. She appeared as a soloist with the Seattle Festival Orchestra, North Corner Chamber Orchestra (NOCCO), and the Hart House Orchestra. Her solo engagements with the Hart House Orchestra included performing the Strauss Oboe Concerto on their European tour. Based in Seattle, WA she enjoys playing children’s concerts with her woodwind quintet, coaching students at the Seattle Youth Symphony, and playing with orchestras all across the northwest as a guest musician. She recently filled in with the Seattle Symphony and Fifth Avenue Theatre pit orchestra on very short notice. She has also performed on both oboe and English horn with Oregon Symphony, Eugene Symphony, Boise Philharmonic, Boise Baroque Orchestra, North Corner Chamber Orchestra (NOCCO), Tacoma Ballet Orchestra, and Seattle Modern Orchestra. She was featured twice on Classical King FM Northwest Focus Live radio broadcasts. Her album “Bhavani’s Oboe” features several 20th century works. Bhavani balances a busy freelance performance schedule with teaching and fundraising for Mary’s Place.

She holds degrees from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music and the University of Washington. She recently completed her Certificate in Strategic Marketing from the University of Washington.

photos by Monica Liang-Aguirre & Suresh Kotha