Gustav Highstein

Photographer: Shervin Lainez

Oboist Gustav Highstein studied under the direction of Richard Woodhams at the Curtis Institute of 

Music in Philadelphia. His major teachers include Alfred Genovese, Lois Wann, and John Ferrillo. He was Principal Oboist of the Richmond Symphony from 2003-2016. He has held the positions of acting Principal Oboe of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and English Horn of the Minnesota Orchestra. He has also appeared with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Santa Fe Opera Orchestras. 

Coming from a family of musicians, he played regularly with his brother, mother, and grandmother growing up. Through music, he has had the chance to travel the world, playing in a variety of countries from Japan to France, from Scandinavia to Switzerland, and throughout the United States. 

In addition to his musical studies, he received a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Yale University.