Lessons are a great way to learn to play the oboe and be ready to perform.

The oboe is a type of double-reed woodwind instrument. Oboes are usually made of wood, but may also be made of synthetic materials, such as plastic or resin.

An oboist plays the instrument by blowing air into the double reed, which causes the two reeds to vibrate against each other, creating a sound.

North Valley Music School’s new teacher, Elsa Michelsen teaches both piano and oboe.

Born and raised in Kalispell MT, Elsa is thrilled to return to the Flathead Valley full time after earning her BA in Music with an emphasis in piano pedagogy from Whitworth University in Spokane, WA where she studied with Dr. Judith Schoepflin.

While at Whitworth, Elsa was on scholarship for both piano and oboe and was an active scholar and performer in the music department. Elsa was recognized as an outstanding performer in Music Artistry Program Adjudications in 2022 and a silver medalist in the Collegiate/Adult Beethoven Sonata division of MusicFest Northwest in 2023.

In addition to her accomplishments in piano, Elsa played principal oboe in the Whitworth Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra, completed an elective oboe recital, and sang in the Whitworth Choir. Aside from her contribution to the music of Whitworth, Elsa has played oboe locally with the Glacier Symphony and Chorale and Flathead Valley Community College’s orchestra and chamber ensembles.  She continues to play periodically with with the Glacier Symphony, and is looking forward to singing with the Glacier Chorale for their upcoming season. As a teacher, it is Elsa’s joy and honor to partner with students and inspire them to commit to excellence, service, tenacity, joy, humility, and love in their music and in their life.

Interested in oboe lessons? Fill out a new student inquiry form today!