Erik Andrusyak

Year Joined: 2022

Erik Andrusyak was appointed principal oboe of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra in 2022. He is also the co-principal oboe of the United States Coast Guard Band and the principal oboe of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. He was previously the principal oboe of the Elgin Symphony and a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, a training program under the Chicago Symphony Orchestra directed by Ken-David Masur.

Throughout his career, he has participated in prestigious music festivals including the Pacific Music Festival and the Music Academy of the West. He has been invited to perform as a guest with ensembles such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, New Haven Symphony, Springfield Symphony, Albany Symphony, Illinois Symphony, Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet, and the Chicago Philharmonic. Additionally, he has been featured as a soloist with the Connecticut Symphony, Masterworks Festival Orchestra, the Eastern Connecticut Symphony, Yellow River Music Festival, and the Civic Centennial Celebration Bach Marathon, where Yo-Yo Ma served as the creative consultant. This performance was broadcast live on WFMT. He has made solo appearances in Japan, Korea, China, and Russia.

In addition to maintaining his own private studio in Norwich, CT, he currently teaches at the Neighborhood Music School in New Haven and the Thames Valley Music School in New London. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from DePaul University, where he studied with Alex Klein, former Principal Oboe of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Other mentors include Grace Hong, Joseph Claude, Scott Hostetler, Eugene Izotov, Lora Schaefer, and William Welter.

Favorite Composer:
It’s too difficult to choose one, but Mozart, Bach, and Mahler are up there.

What inspires you to play:
Creating something new as an ensemble and sharing it with our audience!

Hobbies:
I am almost always thinking of sushi or wine.