Cathryn Gaylord

Bassoon instruction

Cathryn Gaylord is a bassoonist, composer, and artist with an eclectic musical background. Growing up in Vermont, she began her formal music studies as a jazz pianist before embarking on her education as a classical bassoonist. She holds degrees from The Hartt School, Mannes College, Indiana University, and Bard College as well as a 3rd cycle certificate from Conservatoire Hector Berlioz in Paris, France where she spent a year studying as a Fulbright Fellow.

Some of her favorite ensemble performances include those with the Aspen Festival Orchestra, The Boston Philharmonic, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, The Orchestra Now, Memphis Symphony, Cape Symphony Orchestra, the Chelsea Symphony, Bronx Opera Company, L’Orchestre-Atelier OstinatO, and Classical Revolution Paris.  She has appeared as a soloist with L’Orchestre Hector Berlioz, the Chelsea Symphony, Mannes Orchestra, and Boston University Orchestra.

Cathryn has a deep passion for teaching and has served as faculty at the Juilliard precollege program, Westfield State University, and various public school music programs in Indianapolis, IN and West Hartford, CT. She considers the bassoon to be one of the most unique and special instruments in existence and loves helping students of all ages fall in love with its many endearing qualities. Her teaching philosophy focuses on finding joy in every aspect of music making through non-judgmental and creative problem solving.

Outside of music, Cathryn spends her time as a jewelry artist, gardener, cider maker, apple farmer, and dog mom. She loves living in the Finger Lakes and enjoys taking little adventures whenever she can to discover new places and hidden gems all over upstate New York.