Izaiah Cheeran, oboe

Meet Izaiah

Izaiah performs on Show 442.

Izaiah Cheeran (oboe), 18, from Apple Valley, Minnesota, is a passionate solo and chamber performer who focuses on elevating the music of composers from historically marginalized peoples. Izaiah has performed in numerous masterclasses and recitals across the country and is the winner of the 2023 Minnesota Orchestra Young People’s Symphony Concert Association’s concerto competition. He has also received first-place awards in the Schubert Club Bruce P. Carlson Competition and Thursday Musical Young Artist Competition. In 2024, he is slated to make his solo debut with the Minnesota Orchestra.

As an orchestral player, Izaiah has performed with the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, Curtis Symphony Orchestra, and Carnegie Hall’s NYO2 and NYOUSA. His orchestral career has led to performances at Carnegie Hall, Groton Hill Music Center, The Rady Shell, The Royal Concertgebouw, Teatro Antico di Taormina, Ravello Festival, Festival de Lanaudière, Young Euro Classic, and the Lucerne Festival.

Izaiah is currently a pupil of Katherine Needleman and Philippe Tondre at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, which he entered in 2021. A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, he began playing the oboe at age ten and studied with Dr. Carrie Vecchione and Cassie Pilgrim.

When not practicing or making reeds, you can find Izaiah exploring Philadelphia or making espresso at home.