Biography

Kate Wegener joined the Minnesota Orchestra in 2023 at age 22 as their Associate Principal Oboist, where she has been recognized for her “lovely solos,” “graceful phrasing and rich tone.”

Kate has recently appeared at the Lakes Area Music Festival, the Marlboro Music Festival, and the Spoleto Music Festival, as well as previous summers at the Sarasota Music Festival and tours to Asia and South America with the National Youth Orchestra of the USA. An avid chamber musician, Kate has participated in the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Juilliard’s Chamberfest.

Kate completed both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at The Juilliard School, where she was a recipient of the Jerome L. Greene Fellowship. She studied primarily with Nathan Hughes, with additional studies with Elaine Douvas, Linda Strommen, and Scott Hostetler.

Passionate about passing on her expertise in the oboe and reed-making, Kate worked as a mentor of Juilliard pre-college students for several years, and currently cultivates a private studio in Minneapolis.

When not making reeds, Kate can be found trying a new coffee shop or at home with a good book.