Philadelphia native Holly Blake has been a member of The Philadelphia Orchestra bassoon section since 1992. Previously she was a member of the Filarmonica de Caracas in Venezuela. She is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and Temple University, where she was a student of Bernard Garfield.
Ms. Blake has appeared as soloist with the Mozart Orchestra, the West Jersey Chamber Orchestra, the Reading Symphony, and the Lower Merion Symphony, and she has performed frequently in chamber ensembles in the Philadelphia area, including the Philadelphia Orchestra Chamber Music series, and at the Saratoga Chamber Music Festival. As soloist with the Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, she recorded solo music for bassoon by Howard Hanson; their recording of Hanson’s ballet Nymphs and Satyrs is available on the Naxos label.
Ms. Blake teaches bassoon and contrabassoon and gives guest lecture recitals and master classes at local venues, including the Curtis Institute of Music and Temple University College of Music. She has been on the faculty of the University of Delaware, where she was a member of the Del’Arte Woodwind Quintet, and at the College of New Jersey.
Photo by Jessica Griffin