Natalie Myers is a freelance oboist and English horn player, reedmaker, composer, and music educator. She is currently studying with Alyssa Morris at Kansas State University, pursuing her PhD in Music Curriculum and Instruction, and will serve as her sabbatical replacement in the Spring. She TAs aural skills and conducting, and works as a primary administrator for the school’s arts outreach program. Natalie also holds a master’s degree in oboe from the University of Illinois and bachelor’s degrees in music education and oboe performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Natalie is passionate about composing and premiering new music for the oboe and English horn, teaching music theory and aural skills, and sharing the joy of music through education and performance.
Kelsey Farr is an Oboe Graduate Assistant pursuing a Master of Music in performance at Kansas State University, where she studies with Dr. Alyssa Morris. At KSU, she is the principal oboist of the Symphony Orchestra and plays English horn in the Wind Ensemble. Beyond her university experience, Kelsey is a professional oboe reed maker for MKL Reeds.
Kelsey received her Bachelor of Music in oboe performance and Digital Media Certificate from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she served as principal oboist of the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony for several years. She made her debut as a soloist in 2024 with the UTA Wind Symphony. During her undergraduate career, Kelsey had the opportunity to work with oboe specialist Carlos Coelho. She also maintained a full studio of oboe students all throughout the DFW metroplex. Her previous oboe instructors include Prof. Melissa Bosma, Gina Ford, and River Sprinkle.
Oboist and reed maker Jalima Diaz is pursuing a Master of Music in performance at Kansas State University, where she studies with Dr. Alyssa Morris. At KSU, Diaz is an Oboe Graduate Assistant and performs with the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble as assistant principal oboe. Currently, Diaz is a professional oboe reed maker for MKL Reeds.
In May 2023, Diaz received her bachelor’s degree in music performance from Northwestern State University of Louisiana, where she studied with Professor Leah Forsyth and performed with the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra, NSU Wind Symphony, and NSU Chamber Winds as principal oboe. After completing her bachelor’s degree, Diaz moved to the DFW area where she established a thriving oboe studio of 40 middle and high school students. Diaz had performed with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra and the New Texas Symphony Orchestra as second oboe and English Horn.
Lucas Reed is a freelance oboist in the Manhattan, Kansas area and a current Master’s student at Kansas State University studying oboe and composition under Dr. Alyssa Morris. He received his Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance and Bachelor of Music in Theory & Composition from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, where he studied oboe with Dr. Julie Smith and composition with Dr. Thomas Couvillon.
He currently performs across the state of Kansas, including frequently performing with the Salina Symphony, Hutchinson Symphony, Manhattan Symphony, Manhattan Municipal Band, Bethany Oratorio Society, and Flint Hills Chamber Orchestra. While at Kansas State University, he performs frequently with the KSU Concert Bands, KSU Symphony Orchestra, and as a representative of the KSU Oboe Studio.
