Mike O'Donnell

Scottish oboist Michael O'Donnell was brought up in Scone, Perthshire. He took up the oboe aged 13 and was a member of the National Youth Orchestras of both Scotland and Great Britain before entering the Royal College of Music as a Foundation Scholar in 2002. Studying with Christopher Cowie, Michael graduated from the Royal College of Music last year with 1st class honours and the highest mark in the woodwind faculty. Whilst at the RCM, Michael also won the Knights of the Round Table Prize and the Wind Chamber Music Prize.

Michael is now a freelance orchestral oboist in London and has worked with Sir Simon Rattle, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Bernard Haitink amongst other notable conductors. His recent orchestral work includes engagements with the Symphony Orchestra of India, the Royal Ballet Sinfonia and the Philharmonia Orchestra with whom he recently toured China. Chamber engagements include principal oboe with London Winds directed by Michael Collins and solo concerto appearances include the Edinburgh International Festival and a 12 concert tour of China with the Amadeus Orchestra.

Michael continues his studies at the Royal College of Music where he is working towards a Masters degree in Performance.