Jaren Atherholt

Jaren Atherholt is the Principal Oboist of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, a position she has held since 2007. She is also the newly appointed Assistant Professor of Oboe at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Originally from Fairbanks, Alaska, Jaren left home at the age of sixteen to pursue oboe study at the Interlochen Arts Academy with Daniel Stolper. After graduating from Interlochen, she earned her bachelor's degree in music performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music where she studied with John Mack and a master's degree from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University where she studied with Robert Atherholt.

Prior to obtaining her position with the LPO, Jaren spent two seasons as Principal Oboist of the Sarasota Opera Orchestra. She has performed as guest Principal Oboist with the Detroit Symphony, Florida Orchestra, Syracuse Symphony and Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria in Mexico City. She has also performed as guest Associate Principal Oboist with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Jaren has been a featured concerto soloist with the LPO, Tulane University Orchestra, Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, Washington Chamber Symphony at the Kennedy Center, and the Fairbanks Symphony.

Jaren spends her summers performing in the Grand Teton Music Festival in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and has participated in the Aspen Music Festival, Verbier Festival Orchestra, Music Academy of the West, and Spoleto Festival USA. She also previously served on the faculty of the John Mack Oboe Camp, Wintergreen Music Festival and the Vianden International Music School and Festival in Vianden, Luxembourg. This past summer Jaren returned to Interlochen, joining Linda Strommen and Elaine Douvas for her fourth summer as a member of the Interlochen Oboe Institutes Faculty.

An active chamber musician, Jaren spent four summers performing in the Marlboro Music Festival. She has also performed for the Grand Teton Music Festival Winter Chamber Series, A Far Cry, and is the founder and Executive Director of Lyrica Baroque, a chamber ensemble and non profit organization based in New Orleans.

Jaren enjoys practicing Ashtanga yoga in her free time. She is married to Ben Atherholt, who she met at Rice University. Jaren and Ben enjoy spending time with their two dogs, Rocky and Jessie.