Robert Stephenson

Oboist Robert Stephenson joined the Utah Symphony Orchestra in 1980 and has been the principal oboe under music directors Varujan Kojian, Joseph Silverstein, Keith Lockhart, and Thierry Fischer. A graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy and the Curtis Institute of Music, Mr. Stephenson is an adjunct professor at the University of Utah and has served as a faculty member at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, the Aspen School of Music, the Sequoia Chamber Music Workshop and the Symphony School of America. Prior to joining the Utah Symphony, Robert spent three years as principal oboe with the Savannah Symphony under conductor Christian Badea. Besides his many summers at Interlochen, Robert performed at the Spoleto Festivals in Italy and Charleston, South Carolina, the Academy of the West, the Teton Music Festival, the Elkhorn Music Festival, Tanglewood, and the Blossom Music Festival. His teachers included John de Lancie, John Mack, Richard Woodhams, Louis Rosenblatt, Jay Light, Dan Stolper, Richard Foley, William Criss, Rhadames Angelucci, and Evelyn McCarty.  His many chamber compositions are published by the Jeanne Publishing Company. He is a resident of Salt Lake City, the father of three, spouse of Lisa Byrnes (associate principal flute with the Utah Symphony) and a member of the woodwind quartet “Three Fish and a Scorpion,” and the flute, oboe and guitar trio, “Free Housing Project.”