Ari Cohen Mann

~Biography~ Ari Cohen Mann (they/them) serves up brightness and optimism through their popular social media channels and "brilliant virtuosity" (The Whole Note) through their playing. Ari has been hailed as the "Jonathan Van Ness of the oboe" (CBC Music), proudly championing their queer identity and serving as a role model for LGBTQ youth. Based in Toronto, Ari is a dynamic recitalist, new music proponent, orchestral musician, and educator. Recognized on CBC's 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30, they are also a Howarth Artist, performing on a Howarth LXV-VT oboe. With playing described as “emotionally charged” (Ludwig van Toronto), Ari's career includes performances as a concerto soloist with the PEI Symphony Orchestra, National Academy Orchestra, Canadian Studio Symphony, and Ontario Philharmonic. Ari has premiered works by composers such as Kevin Day, Jocelyn Morlock, Nicky Sohn, Matthew Emery, and Felipe Téllez. Ari’s solo debut at Carnegie Hall was with harpist Noël Wan, as featured artists in the Yale in New York series. Ari was a prizewinner at the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal Manulife Competition, and the winner of the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition and Ben Steinberg Musical Legacy Award. As a faculty member at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ari teaches oboe and coaches chamber music. ~Teaching Philosophy~ My philosophy in teaching is to foster a great love of music and to set the highest standards possible for students. Studying music is a powerful way to connect with one of the great artistic disciplines and provides an opportunity to grow intellectually and spiritually. My former students have succeeded in their competitions, festivals, auditions, and exams because of a commitment to excellence and a solid comprehension of efforts invested and practical application in performance. I emphasize a foundation-based approach to make sure that students build the requisite technique to excel in their performances. I tailor lessons to each student’s needs in order to best guide them in their playing career. I also offer reed-making lessons for more advanced students.