Hometown:
Clearwater, Florida
Education:
New England Conservatory Bachelor of Music 2024
Bio:
Robert Diaz, is currently an Oboe Fellow at the New World Symphony. Recently, he was a finalist for the 2025 Sphinx SOPA Woodwind excerpt competition and in 2018, was selected as a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar on NPR’s From The Top. Robert’s previous summer appearances include Sarasota Music Festival, Kent Blossom and the Aspen Music Festival. Some notable teachers he studied with are John Ferrillo, Anne Gabriele, Nathan Hughes, and Frank Rosenwein.
What inspired you to become a musician?
Listening to the Florida Orchestra as a kid in the education concerts for my middle school.
Name your favorite composers and/or pieces:
Ravel has always been my favorite composer, the colors and orchestration that Ravel uses is very special and unrivaled.
What is an interesting fact about you and/or your instrument?
Fun fact is that I started on the flute and played up until 10th grade. I didn’t learn oboe until 8th grade and I was doubling instruments!
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
When I’m not making reeds, I love to rock climb and currently have a membership to a Rock Climbing Gym in Miami.
Why did you choose the NRO?
I chose NRO because I think it’s imperative to play the repertoire that you see in orchestral auditions. NRO does a great job every summer programming important works for everyone in the orchestra. I think it’s one of the best ways of truly understanding your excerpts and it will give you that confidence that you need for auditions.