Guild Program- ASO Conf Rm

“Taming the Wild English Horn (and How I Accidentally Learned to Love It).”

Our April program is a special treat. When I asked Darko what instrument is highlighted in the Saturday night Masterworks program, he instantly said “English horn!” Our speaker will be Cara Jenkins, who plays both oboe and English horn and will be sharing her expertise with us. Her two daughters are also enjoying their music education and will join their Mom in a piece or two. As you can see from the photo, we will get an early introduction to the banjo-Bela Fleck, here we come!

Oboist Cara Mia Jenkins has built a long, successful career investing herself equally in performing and educating the next generation of young musicians. As a performer, she has been a member of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra for eighteen years and has performed regularly with other regional orchestras. With a passion for education, Ms. Jenkins formerly served as the Education Coordinator for the ASO and spent the majority of her time building the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra from the ground up. Her private oboe studio boasts of several budding oboists that have gone on to become accomplished musicians and have attended some of top music schools. Ms. Jenkins’ love for music started at an early age when her grandmother would play piano with her on her lap. She spent several summers studying piano and chamber music at the San Francisco Conservatory’s Summer Music West where she eventually began studying oboe and English horn. Her greatest joy has been building a beautiful life here in the Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband Blair and daughters Mia and Hannah whom she has passed her love of music to.