Evan Kuhlmann

Bassoon Instructor
Bassoon Instructor

Evan has performed with numerous orchestras internationally including the St. Louis, San Diego, and Seattle Symphonies, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, All-Star Orchestra, Grant Park Orchestra, Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra, and Orchestra of the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy.

Evan Kuhlmann was appointed Contrabassoon of the Los Angeles Philharmonic by Gustavo Dudamel in 2018, shortly after completing his twelfth season as Assistant Principal Bassoon and Contrabassoon of the Oregon Symphony. A native Seattleite, he is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and The Juilliard School; where he earned a B.M. in Bassoon Performance with Scholastic Distinction as a student of Frank Morelli, and the Peter Mennin Prize for Outstanding Achievement and Leadership in Music. Evan previously studied bassoon with Francine Peterson, Barrick Stees, and Eric Stomberg.

Evan has performed with numerous orchestras internationally including the St. Louis, San Diego, and Seattle Symphonies, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, All-Star Orchestra, Grant Park Orchestra, Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra, and Orchestra of the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy. As Principal Bassoon of the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, he performed numerous premieres, including works of John Adams, Jennifer Higdon, and George Walker. Evan has appeared as a soloist with the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall, the Marrowstone Festival Orchestra, and alongside Jethro Tull with the Oregon Symphony. His chamber music appearances include performances at Chamber Music Northwest, the Lincoln Center Festival, and the Ojai Music Festival.

Evan is also a passionate music educator, having served on the faculty of the Azusa Pacific and Portland State University Schools of Music. In addition, he has given masterclasses at schools including the University of Denver, University of Missouri – Kansas City, and the University of Southern California. Evan is fortunate to have worked with students through programs such as Bassoons Without Borders, BRAVO Youth Orchestras, Filarmónica Joven de Colombia, Marrowstone Music Festival, Metropolitan Youth Symphony, Portland Youth Philharmonic, Seattle Youth Symphony, Woodwinds @ Wallowa Lake, and Youth Orchestra Los Angeles.