Beau Reynolds 

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Management 

What are you doing now? “Working at Walmart in Global Sourcing, and I have a few side projects.” 

“It was really nice being part of a smaller group when just joining college. We all had plenty of larger classes and ensembles that we were part of but being Oboist was something that set us apart from the rest of students on campus. Plus, I really liked nerding out on reedmaking.” 

Kristin Mathes  

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Music 

What are you doing now? “I am a Music Therapist-Board Certified currently working with adolescents with eating disorders.”  

“Being in the oboe studio at the U of A for 4 years had a huge impact on me. It helped me find confidence on the stage that I had never felt before. It also helped me learn to be disciplined in my studies! Not to mention, filled my love of playing Christmas duets every December.” 

Whitney Adams 

Degree: “I received a BM in Performance in 2008. I went on to earn MM in Performance from Arizona State University in 2010.”  

What are you doing now? “I’m currently an oboist in the Navy Fleet Bands, stationed in Great Lakes, IL. I’ve been in 7 years and been stationed in Jacksonville, FL and Naples, Italy as well. We perform across the US and around the world, creating connections through music with top-notch musicians.”  

“I regularly see the impact of being in the UA studio and learning from Dr. Delaplain. I hear her voice in my head reminding me to keep a relaxed palate during fast tonguing or to use the silent spaces to add musicality. Many lessons and gems I still use came straight from Dr. Delaplain; the guest artists and clinicians she brought in still impact my playing, reedmaking, and general being. She taught me how to think for myself as a musician while remaining open to the experience of others, how to operate as an ensemble musician, and to always be learning. I indeed got a multi-faceted musical education from Dr. D. But she also placed a priority on teaching me to take care of my physical body, mental health, and social/professional intelligence to aid a successful career in music.  

Most students entering the UA oboe studio are still young and figuring out who they are and who they want to be. 

Certainly, Dr. Delaplain was pivotal in my musical development. The bigger impact to my life was that her support, mentorship, and gentle pushes allowed me the space to safely explore who I could be, challenge my own self-imposed limits, and believe in and achieve a higher potential for my life.” 

Debbie Hewett 

Degree: Bachelor of Music 1992, Cum Laude 

What are you doing now? Director of Nursing Critical Care Services Mercy Hospital, and adjunct oboe instructor, University of Arkansas Ft. Smith 

“[The U of A oboe studio] pushed me to be better, encouraged creative exploration,  not just on the oboe but in all aspects of my life. Dr. Delaplain took each of us on our own journey that allowed me to develop my own unique artistic personality.  For that I will always be grateful.” 

Danielle Balentine 

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Education from Arkansas State University 

What are you doing now?  “I teach 4th grade in Bentonville” 

“I was part of the oboe studio for the first 3 years of my college education.  Being part of the oboe studio was such a memorable experience.  I enjoyed the opportunity to get to play Oboe and English Horn a long side such talented people in many different ensembles.  There are so many memories that I will never forget and being part of the studio brought me so much joy during that time.  Lastly, Dr. Delaplain was not only my very talented professor, but she was also a trusted mentor and friend. I learned from her the importance of dedication and commitment as a teacher that has impacted me in my own career as an educator.”  

Sarah Gerlach 

Degree: Bachelor of Music in Music Education  

What are you doing now? “Teaching English as a foreign language in Beijing, China!” 

“Being in the oboe studio at the University of Arkansas gave me the opportunity to show and express myself through my instrument and learning experiences. I made lifelong friends and learned something new and mind-blowing every week. I grew further in the music and had the opportunity to understand it further through my ears to my inner voice. Making reeds, playing in band, recitals, and friends are why the oboe studio greatly impacted me.” 

Chris Almond 

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Education from Arkansas State University 

What are you doing now?  “I teach 4th grade in Bentonville” 

“I was part of the oboe studio for the first 3 years of my college education.  Being part of the oboe studio was such a memorable experience.  I enjoyed the opportunity to get to play Oboe and English Horn a long side such talented people in many different ensembles.  There are so many memories that I will never forget and being part of the studio brought me so much joy during that time.  Lastly, Dr. Delaplain was not only my very talented professor, but she was also a trusted mentor and friend. I learned from her the importance of dedication and commitment as a teacher that has impacted me in my own career as an educator.”  

Fiona Slaughter 

Degree: “I graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BM in oboe performance in 2019” 

What are you doing now? “Now, I am pursuing an MM in oboe performance at the University of Michigan.” 

“I would not have grown to be the person I am now without Dr. Delaplain and the University of Arkansas oboe studio. Studio class at the U of A is an environment where the students play and offer constructive criticism, inspiration, and support to each other.  In my private lessons, Dr. Delaplain encouraged me to take opportunities to grow as an oboe player whenever possible, and the time, wisdom, knowledge, and support she gave me was infinite.  I will be forever grateful to Dr. Delaplain and the university for the impact they have made on me.” 

Emily Thompson 

Degree: B.M. Music Education, M.M. Oboe Performance 

What are you doing now? “I am currently working into a double reed manufacturing company with the goal to own it. I also have my own established LLC for my own double reed company.” 

“Being in the oboe studio at the U of A gave me the opportunity to learn and teach reed making as well as advance on the oboe. With these skills not only can I make reeds, but I can teach and fit students to the reed that works best for them!” 

Tori Bingham 

Degree: “I graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in music education.” 

What are you doing now? “Now, I am the assistant band director for Grove Public Schools in Grove, OK. I assist with the High School Marching Band and Concert Band, the HS Jazz Band, I teach the Middle School Band, JR High Jazz Band and team-teach our 5th and 6th grade beginning bands.” 

“Being a member of the University of Arkansas oboe studio was one of my favorite parts of college! The studio members were some of my very first friends when I got to Arkansas and our relationships stayed strong through everything. From late nights practicing for juries, making reeds, or just trying to soak some cane between classes I always looked forward to spending time with my fellow studio mates and Dr. Delaplain.” 

Sally Wall

Degree: Sally Wall received her Masters in Music Performance at the University of Arkansas in May 2001 after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in December 1999.   

What are you doing now? At the U of A, Sally developed her love of performance while studying with Dr. Theresa Delaplain and performing in the university music ensembles, such as Symphonic Band, University Orchestra and the Esprezzatura Wind Quintet.  She also played oboe and english horn in North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and the Fort Smith Symphony. It’s at the U of A she learns about her curiosity for new music and develops a passion for chamber music.  
 
Sally continued her performance studies in New York at Stony Brook University with Stephen Taylor, graduating with a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance in 2011.  She developed a passion for playing 20th Century music and contemporary music while playing with Stony Brook Contemporary Chamber Players. With them, she recorded “Structures for Chamber Orchestra” by Meyer Kupferman and played numerous regional concerts on Long Island and in New York City.  She collaborated with young composers in annual Stony Brook Composers Concerts and performed with NY contemporary music groups, such as Argento Chamber Ensemble. She has enjoyed playing concerts in esteemed halls, such as Merkin Concert Hall and Carnegie Hall to name a few. She was overjoyed to premiere Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy at Ars Nova in 2012 and continued to perform in it until 2014 in its subsequent stagings at Kazino in the Meatpacking District and in the Theater District. 
 
In addition to performing, Sally was Adjunct Music Professor at Suffolk County Community College from 2004-2016.  She began teaching a Chamber Music Class but fell in love with lecturing through music survey classes, such as Understanding Music and the History of Rock and Roll.  What a joy to share with students the myriad ways music can be a social solvent and a dynamic social force. 
 
Currently, she teaches the littles in Brooklyn, NY.  As a preschool teacher, she is constantly singing! She also enjoys playing ukulele for them and sharing her knowledge of Classical music.  Some enduring class favorites are The Nutcracker and Peter and the Wolf.  In this setting, she best appreciates how music can meld with story and movement while evoking the imagination of children. 

Suzanne McGowen

Degree: “I earned the Bachelor of Music in Performance (Oboe) from the University of Arkansas.”  

“When I think of Dr. Delaplain and the U of A oboe studio these things come to mind: acceptance, laughing, a safe space to create and make mistakes, family.  

I remember being invited to a reed-making session my freshman year, hosted by the upperclassmen. They were eager to share their knowledge and without hesitation welcomed me with open arms as a member of the U of A oboe studio. This sense of community does not happen by mistake – Dr. Delaplain models how to create and maintain meaningful relationships within her community and expects others to follow her lead. 

Nearly 25 years have passed and my father still professes his gratitude for Dr. Delaplain and how ‘she took such good care of his daughter.’” 

Anastasia Mills Tackett

Anastasia earned double degrees from the University of Arkansas as an Honors Fellow. In 2020 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Food Science degree. She is currently working on a master’s degree in Food Science at the University of Wisconsin.

Elvis Barksdale III

Elvis graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Master of Music in Oboe Performance degree. He subsequently worked as a public school orchestra director in North Carolina, and is now pursaing a Performer’s Certificate from Ball State University.

Andrew Baker

Andrew graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from the University of Arkansas, and he is now a freelance musician, performing as Second Oboist of the Springfield Symphony, Arkansas Philharmonic, and Fort Smith Symphony; he also performs with the Tulsa Symphony, Springfield Regional Opera, and Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, maintains a private oboe studio, and works as an Oboe Specialist for Edmund Nielsen Woodwinds.