Called “superb” by the Washington Post and “stunningly virtuosic” by the New York Times, Peter Kolkay is the only bassoonist to receive an Avery Fisher Career Grant. In demand as a chamber musician, Kolkay is an artist of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and regularly performs across the country as both concerto soloist and recitalist.
Kolkay’s recent record, Red Maple (Bridge Records), features music for bassoon and strings by Joan Tower, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Russell Platt, and Judith Weir performed with the Calidore String Quintet. His recording of Christopher Rouse’s concerto with the Albany Symphony was also released in 2024.
Kolkay is Associate Professor at the Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music and was the recipient of the 2024 Ellen Gregg Ingalls Award for teaching. He studied with Frank Morelli, John Hunt, Jean Barr, and Monte Perkins, and is a native of Naperville, Illinois.