Dr. Laura Arganbright enjoys life as a freelance oboist with a diverse portfolio of musical projects including performance, education, and reed-making. She is the principal oboist for the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra and Opera Neo summer program and has performed recent concerts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, and Arizona Philharmonic. In 2019, Laura performed the world premier double oboe concerto Extra(ordinarily) Fancy by Viet Cuong, and in 2021 looks forward to returning to live performance in solo engagements with the Arizona Philharmonic and the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra.

Laura is passionate about music education and fostering music appreciation in youths. As a Teaching Artist for the YOLA program, Laura leads Oboe and Recorder classes. She enjoys teaching musicians of all ages and levels and maintains a robust private oboe studio. Laura has operated a handmade oboe reed business since 2015 and is enthusiastic about reed-making pedagogy. After graduating from USC, she was invited to serve as reed-making coach for all current oboe majors. Laura completed the Doctor of Musical Arts at USC in 2018. She graduated with honors and was awarded the Brandon Mehrle Service Award in recognition of individuals who demonstrate extraordinary support of the Thornton School of Music through a commitment of energy and professional expertise. To read more about Laura, please visit her website: http://www.LAoboe.com