BIOGRAPHY

Oboist LEAH FORSYTH is a versatile solo and collaborative performer. Bringing with her a variety of experience as an orchestral, chamber, and military musician, she now serves as the Assistant Professor of Oboe at Northwestern State University. Prior to joining the NSU faculty in 2011, she served as an Oboist with the United States Army Field Band in Washington DC, where she toured and performed regularly throughout the United States with the Woodwind Ambassadors Quintet. 

Since 2012, Ms. Forsyth has held the position of Principal Oboe with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra in Alexandria, LA, and Second Oboe with the Texarkana Symphony. She performs regularly with the Shreveport Symphony as well as other orchestras throughout Louisiana and Texas. She previously held the position of solo English Horn with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the Louisiana Philharmonic, Columbus (OH) Symphony Orchestra, Tallahassee Symphony, Charleston (SC) Symphony, Ohio Light Opera, Brevard Music Center Orchestra, Theatre by the Sea (Matunuck, RI), and the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. She was a member of the Favorable Winds Quintet, performing throughout Central Ohio from 2005-2007.

Leah is a founding member of the Three Reeds Duo with husband and saxophonist Paul Forsyth. Three Reeds has traveled across the globe, performing as invited guest artists and at conferences in the US, Scotland, Croatia and Colombia. Playing everything from baroque and classical transcriptions to contemporary works, the duo strives to champion new repertoire for this unique instrumental combination. They have commissioned many new works featured on their two albums, Signals Cross (2016) and Metamorphosis (2019), available on all streaming platforms.

A native of Central Ohio, Ms. Forsyth holds a B.M. from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory and an M.M. from Florida State University where she studied with Dr. Mark Ostoich and Dr. Eric Ohlsson respectively. When not making reeds, Leah can be found gardening and being an animal rescue advocate.