Ryan Roberts

Oboe

Principal

Carol Colburn Grigor Chair

Member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since 2025

Ryan Roberts was appointed Principal Oboe of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2025.

He previously served as Solo English Horn for six seasons with the New York Philharmonic, where he was recognized as a “pillar of the ensemble” and praised for his “flawless poetry” as well as “beautiful,” “eloquent,” “exquisite,” and “alluring solo playing” by The New York Times.

Roberts also served as Principal Oboe of the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center (formerly the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra) and has performed as guest principal oboe and English horn with many of the country's leading orchestras including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and National Symphony Orchestra.

While in New York, Roberts was a member of the oboe faculty at the Manhattan School of Music, Bard College Conservatory of Music, and Mannes School of Music, where he also conducted the Mannes Wind Orchestra. Roberts has worked with students in the US and abroad in master classes and seminars at institutions such as The Juilliard School, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Manhattan School of Music, the New World Symphony, Lynn University, and many others.

An award-winning soloist, Roberts received first prize at the International Double Reed Society’s Young Artist Competition and the National Society of Arts and Letters’ Woodwind Competition. He is a frequent guest artist at the Marlboro Music Festival and has toured with Musicians from Marlboro. He also performs regularly at the Rockport Music Festival and with the Gamut Bach Ensemble at the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. His past recital engagements have included performances with the Pacifica Quartet and Emanuel Ax.

Ryan Roberts performs a solo on stage during Star-Crossed Rendezvous at Walt Disney Concert Hall on March 10, 2026.

Allow yourself to be completely uninhibited, revel in this feeling, and remember it, for it is the essence of great music-making at any level.

Ryan Roberts Principal Oboe

Before his time in the New York Philharmonic, Roberts spent one season as a member of the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. As a Kovner Fellow graduate of The Juilliard School, Roberts studied with Elaine Douvas and performed frequently with the Juilliard Orchestra.

Roberts is also an accomplished pianist and made his concerto debut at age 11. When he isn’t busy making reeds, Roberts can be found practicing piano or surfing in Malibu and Ventura.

Follow Ryan Roberts on Instagram | YouTube | RyanRobertsOboe.com

Ryan Roberts takes a solo bow after performing the iconic oboe solo during "An Alpine Symphony" by Richard Strauss with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on September 26, 2025.

An Alpine Symphony by Richard Strauss was the first time musicians performed this piece under the direction of Gustavo Dudamel.

Ryan Roberts and Benjamin Picard backstage at Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2026.

Star-Crossed Rendezvous at Walt Disney Concert Hall on March 10, 2026.

Ryan performs with the LA Phil New Music Ensemble in Green Umbrella: "Recovecos", which provided Latin flare with amazing performances by Angélica Negrón and Lido Pimienta.

ROBERT SCHUMANN – Fantasiestücke, Op. 73 (I. Zart und mit Ausdruck)

Partnering with Luis Ortiz on piano, Ryan adds his famous flair to a notable classic.

J.S. BACH – Concerto for Oboe and Violin in C minor, BWV1060R (II. Adagio)

Performing with the Rockport Chamber Orchestra at the Shalin Liu Performance Center.

RAVEL– Piano Concerto in G major (II. Adagio Assai)

Finally! The English hornist gets to choose the tempo!

Did You Know?

Ryan is a highly accomplished pianist in addition to playing the oboe and teaches both instruments privately.
He was previously the Solo English Horn with the New York Philharmonic.
He is a former Juilliard School Kovner Fellow.
Ryan grew up in Santa Monica and loves to surf when not making music.