Laura Goben Harper

Laura Goben Harper is the principal oboe of the Olympia Symphony, the Mid-Columbia Symphony, and maintains an active private studio in Western Washington, teaching students of all ages and skill levels. She recently joined the faculty at Saint Martin’s University, and presents regular instrument demonstrations and clinics in public schools and masterclasses throughout the state. Previously, she was instructor of Oboe at Central Washington University. Ms. Harper is also an active chamber musician, performing with Calico Trio, The Sound Ensemble, and various other ensembles.  

She has performed as guest soloist with Seattle Festival Orchestra, the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers, and OctOboeFest in 2018. Ms. Harper regularly performs with the Lake Washington Symphony, Seattle Rock Orchestra, and Federal Way Symphony.  

Ms. Harper received her Master’s of Music from the University of Oregon and her Bachelor’s of Music from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. As a student she received various awards such as Outstanding Graduate in Performance, Ensemble Fellowship Award, the Sigma Alpha Iota Scholarship Award, and University of Michigan Honors. Her primary teachers include Melissa Peña and Dr. Nancy Ambrose King, and has worked with oboists Rebecca Henderson, John Snow, Thomas Stacy, and tubist Øystein Baadsvik in various masterclasses throughout the United States.