Bassoonist Jay Benson pursues a varied career as a soloist, teacher, chamber musician, and orchestra musician. In 2018, Jay won both the University of the Pacific Concerto Competition and the University of the Pacific Honors Recital. As a winner of the Concerto Competition, Jay had the opportunity to perform the first movement of Carl Maria von Weber’s Bassoon Concerto in F Major from memory with the University of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra. They enjoy playing both bassoon and contrabassoon. Their recital programs always include a list of diverse composers, including people of color, female composers, and living composers. They finished their Artist’s Diploma at The Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory, where they studied with Glenn Einschlag, principal bassoonist of the Buffalo Symphony.

Jay can be heard performing with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra in their 2018-20 seasons, available for streaming on the Royal Conservatory website.

Jay has performed with several professional ensembles, including the Stockton Symphony. They have attended two summer festivals: the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival, and Music in the Mountains. At the Imani Winds Festivals 2016 and 2018, they did extensive work within woodwind quintets and woodwind quartets in a progressive and positive atmosphere. During Music in the Mountains, Jay had the fantastic opportunity to play both high level orchestra pieces and the Till Eulenspiegel Einmal Anders! by R. Strauss (performing with Justin Bruns, associate concertmaster of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra).

They earned their Bachelor of Music degree at the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music, studying with Nicolasa Kuster. They were a part of both the Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble. During their third year at the University of the Pacific, Jay helped form a high level woodwind quintet, named the Desert Island Winds. Not only did the Desert Island Winds represent the conservatory in a number of performances, but they also went out into the community to work with young children and show them the power of music.

Jay enjoys story telling and making an emotional connection with the audience whenever performing. They engage the audience with spoken notes about the program to enhance their listening experience and understanding of each piece. 

Updated August 7, 2022