Benjamin Atherholt

Benjamin Atherholt joined the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra as the Assistant Principal Bassoonist and Contrabassoonist in 2006. He also serves as Contrabassoon/Utility Bassoon with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra in New York. From 2011-2013 he was acting Contrabassoon with the Houston Symphony, and has performed with the Alabama, Baton Rouge, Grand Teton, Mobile, Naples, National, and St. Louis Symphony Orchestras. Mr. Atherholt graduated from the High School for Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas, where he studied with Jeff Robinson. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin Conservatory, where he studied with George Sakakeeny, and continued his studies with Benjamin Kamins at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.

Mr. Atherholt is the Instructor of Bassoon at Loyola University, and also teaches bassoon at Tulane University, and the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra. He is a member of the New Orleans based chamber ensemble, Lyrica Baroque, where he serves as arranger, composer, and performer.