About this Artist

Elizabeth Pérez-Hickman is a Venezuelan-American oboist currently studying at the Peabody Institute on a full scholarship, with professors Nicholas Stovall and Melissa Hooper. With support from the  Miami Music Project and the generous support of donor Dan Lewis, Elizabeth attended the Interlochen Arts Academy on the Miami Music Project Opportunity Full-Scholarship. In 2021 she graduated from Interlochen with the Young Artist Award, the highest accolade bestowed by the institution.

A recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Scholarship, Elizabeth was featured on National Public Radio’s (NPR’s) From the Top and won $10,000 to buy her first professional oboe. She was also recognized by the Evergreen House Foundation and, in 2025, was awarded their prestigious $10,000 scholarship which she is using to purchase her first professional English horn. Elizabeth's identity as a Latina musician deeply informs her artistry, driving her mission to diversify the classical music canon. She has gained recognition for her performances of music by underrepresented composers, winning Dean Fred Bronstein's grant to record an album of works entirely by minority composers. Her advocacy extends beyond performances and recordings as she actively engages in music education initiatives as well. Notably, she has presented at the 2023 and 2024 El Sistema USA Symposiums, the 2023 League of American Orchestras Seminar, the 2023 Eastman Connect Conference, and the 2021 YOLA National Symposium emphasizing the significance of music education in fostering diversity within classical music. Elizabeth has also participated as a Sphinx Fellow in 2022, 2024, and 2025 and was a fellow with the LA Philharmonic’s YOLA National Institute from 2020-2022.

Currently, Elizabeth works as a Freelance oboist in Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, and Miami, Florida. She has performed in a variety of venues, including museums, addiction recovery centers, university campuses, parks, churches, and prestigious halls such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, performing orchestral, chamber, and solo works. Elizabeth has had the privilege of performing under the baton of esteemed conductors such as Gustavo Dudamel, Michael Morgan, James Judd, Joseph Young, Leslie Dunner, Marin Alsop, and Michael Tilson Thomas, among others. She also recently performed at the 75th anniversary NATO Summit held in Washington DC.  Her international engagements include various performances in Austria and Spain. Elizabeth Perez-Hickman is dedicated to both performance and advocacy, striving to make lasting contributions to classical music. Her passion for music and commitment to diversity continue to shape her journey as a performer and advocate for underrepresented voices in classical music.

Outside of music Elizabeth enjoys crocheting, baking, and spending time with her 19-yearold poodle Oggy.