University of Tennessee School of Music Announces New Incoming Faculty
The University of Tennessee School of Music is proud to announce two new faculty hires, who will join the University in August 2023.
Jaren Atherholt, Assistant Professor of Oboe
Jaren Atherholt joins the University after serving as the Assistant Professor of Oboe at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She previously served as principal oboist of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra from 2007–2018.
A native of Alaska, Atherholt has performed to stellar reviews as a featured concerto soloist with the Louisiana Philharmonic, A Far Cry, and the Hamptons Festival of Music. Atherholt has performed as guest principal oboist with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Detroit Symphony, as well as guest associate principal oboist with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Atherholt spent four summers at the Marlboro Music Festival and currently performs each summer with the Grand Teton Music Festival.
She has served on the faculty of John Mack Oboe Camp, Interlochen Oboe Institute, the Wintergreen Music Academy, and the Vianden International Music School. Recent performances include guest principal oboist with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Benjamin Atherholt, Lecturer of Bassoon
Benjamin Atherholt joined the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra as the Assistant Principal Bassoonist and Contrabassoonist in 2006. He also serves as Contrabassoon/Utility Bassoon with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra in New York. From 2011-2013 he was acting Contrabassoon with the Houston Symphony, and has performed with the Alabama, Baton Rouge, Grand Teton, Mobile, Naples, National, and St. Louis Symphony Orchestras. Atherholt graduated from the High School for Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas, where he studied with Jeff Robinson. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin Conservatory, where he studied with George Sakakeeny, and continued his studies with Benjamin Kamins at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.