Students’ Success
Aidan Dugan
2021 | Canadian Armed Forces Music Branch.
2020, 2019 | Aspen Music Festival
“I studied with Professor Andrew Parker during my Master’s of Music in Oboe Performance at the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 2018. Going well above and beyond expectations, Dr. Parker took such care in cultivating the most optimal environment for his student’s growth, learning and success. The studio atmosphere was very positive and constructive and studio classes were a safe space for us to work and improve our craft. Lessons were deeply engaging and inspiring and Dr. Parker was so clearly invested in each student. With his oboe pedagogy at the highest level, it was also that Dr. Parker sought to help us to find a unique identity as an artist and person that showed the grand extent of his teaching and overall philosophy. It is with enormous gratitude that I say thank you!” - Aidan Dugan
David Keith Blackwell Jr.
2019 | Quintessence Woodwind Quintet based in Austin, Texas.
2019 | Oboe lessons and masterclasses throughout Austin.
“My time with Dr. Parker during my Graduate Studies not only advanced my technical abilities as a musician but furthered my growth as an individual outside of music. My lessons with him were always filled with new discoveries on how to perform phrases and to look past what the music on the page was telling you. Whether the lesson was filled with musical aspects of audition-worthy excerpts or analyzing reed making errors, I admired his passion and drive for excellence and growth in every aspect of his playing and pedagogy that I now seek to implement in my own teaching.” - David Keith Blackwell Jr.
Danny Cruz
2021 | Winner in the teacher category of the Australian Double Reed Society competition
2021 | Youth Orchestra of the Americas program
“Dr. Parker has been very supportive and encouraging in helping me pursue my goals. My playing has become more efficient and expressive which allowed me to compete successfully in the Australian Double Reed Society competitions and gain entrance into the Orchestra of the Americas.” - Danny Cruz
Matt Lengas
2020 | Awarded Fellowship at Aspen Music Festival
2019 | Finalist - Edmonton Symphony Principal Oboe Audition
2019 | First Alternate - International Gillet-Fox Oboe Competition
“Dr. Parker’s thoughtful and inspiring mentorship opened up new possibilities for me as both a performer and a teacher. He saw a level of potential in me that I could not see, and used his skill and passion as a teacher to help me embody that potential. I am eternally grateful for his remarkable pedagogy and continued support!” - Matt Lengas
Korey Young
2021, 2020 | Eastern Music Festival
2020 | Invited to the live round of Barbirolli International Oboe Competition
2019 | Semi finalist - Texas Young Artist Competition
2019 | Orford Music Festival
“Dr. Parker offers himself as a mentor to students as they face personal and professional challenges pertinent to their development as oboists. Dr. Parker balances his musical life so effortlessly with his own humanity, and encourages his students to develop attitudes that will set them up for fulfillment not only as musicians but also as people.” - Korey Young
Dr. Bethany Lawrence
2016 | Julliard’s Tianjin campus Orchestral Studies; One-year teaching position at Texas A&M University-Kingsville; Round Top Festival Institute and a finalist for the second oboe position in the Quad City Symphony; Finalist for a one-year position at Kansas State University, adjunct oboe professor position at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and for a tenure track position at the University of Alabama; Winner Butler School of Music concerto competition
“After completing my DMA in December of 2016, Dr. Parker highly encouraged me to apply to the International Festival Institute at Round Top to work with himself as well as the other fantastic teaching artists there. It ended up becoming a very pivotal summer for my playing. Dr. Parker and the other two oboe faculty members helped me tremendously, and I ended up doing quite well in Quad City’s second oboe audition shortly after the festival ended.” - Dr. Bethany Lawrence
Sara Morales
Teaching Assistant offer from Bowling Green University
Admitted into the Cleveland Institute of Music
Admitted into the University of Wisconsin
“Dr. Parker helped me gain the skills necessary to be successful in auditioning for select graduate programs across the country. Because of these skills, I was able to receive a TA offer from Bowling Green University, and admission into the Cleveland Institute of Music and University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. He instilled a sense of confidence that I still utilize today as a working professional on the Development and External Relations team at the McCombs School of Business.” - Sara Morales
Gabriel Grant
2022 | Principal Oboe at Abilene Philharmonic
“I am beyond excited to announce that earlier today, I won the Principal Oboe audition for the Abilene Philharmonic!!! I cannot wait for the season to start!! This would not have been possible without the help of my teachers and mentors, Dr. Andrew Parker and Dr. Susan Hatch Tomkiewicz! Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart” - Gabriel Grant