Amy Collins
Oboe
Email: acollin6@usf.edu, acollins@oboe.net
Phone: (727) 641-6737
Office: MUS 336
Amy Collins is a highly respected oboist, educator, and entrepreneur with a career spanning many
decades. Since 2019, she has served as the Principal Oboe for The Venice Symphony,
while also maintaining an active teaching and performance schedule throughout the
greater Tampa Bay area and beyond. She has been an adjunct Professor of Oboe at The University of South Florida since 2004, where she teaches applied oboe, coaches chamber ensembles, and directs
the USF Da’ “Bull” Reed Summer Camp, a program she founded in 2004 that has since become a vital part of USF’s outreach
and educational efforts.
In addition to her work at USF, Collins holds faculty positions at Hillsborough Community College, Florida College, Eckerd College, and The Pinellas County Center for the Arts High School, where she is known for her dedication to student development. She previously taught
at The University of Tampa, contributing to the growth and refinement of oboists across multiple institutions.
Collins’ performance career is equally distinguished, both in the U.S. and abroad.
She spends her summers on the faculty of the Governors School for the Arts in Tennessee, where she teaches and performs, and has also participated in several
prestigious summer music festivals throughout Europe. As a performer, she holds Principal Oboe positions with both The Venice Symphony and The Villages Philharmonic.
She is also the oboist/English hornist for her chamber group, Amici, a dynamic ensemble that has allowed her to explore a wide range of chamber music
repertoire. Amici is known for its innovative programming, performing not only standard
works but also commissioned pieces and the ensemble’s own transcriptions of music, tailored to highlight the unique
capabilities of the oboe and English horn. Through this group, Collins is able to
collaborate closely with composers and other musicians to bring new, exciting works
to life, contributing to the evolution of the chamber music genre.
A versatile musician, Collins regularly performs for numerous touring Broadway productions in Tampa, in addition to participating in Broadway National tours. Her ability to adapt to different musical styles has made her a sought-after performer
for some of the world’s leading performing arts companies. Over the years, she has
played with the New York City Opera, Miami City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, The Moisiev Ballet, Cirque du Soleil, and the famous Mannheim Steamroller. Her collaborations have extended beyond classical ensembles to include performances
with internationally renowned artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Luciano Pavarotti, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, Josh Groban, Lindsey Stirling, and Evanescence.
Among the many highlights of her illustrious career, one of the most significant was
her performance for Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in 2007. This historic event marked her as the first instrumentalist
to perform in the Basilica of St. Peter’s since Pope John Paul I, a distinction that remains a proud milestone in her career.
Collins is not only an influential figure in performance and education but also a
successful entrepreneur. She is the president of The Stellar Corporation, Inc. (dba Stellar Oboe Products), a business she founded that specializes in crafting
high-quality oboe-related products. The company celebrated its 25th anniversary in
2023, a testament to its lasting impact and Collins’ business acumen. Stellar Oboe
Products is widely known and trusted by oboists worldwide, helping musicians elevate
their craft with superior tools and materials.
Whether on stage, in the classroom, or as a business leader, Amy Collins has left
an indelible mark on the world of music. Her passion for performance, her commitment
to education, and her drive to innovate have established her as a leading voice in
the classical music community. Her contributions, both as an oboist and as a dedicated
teacher, continue to inspire generations of musicians to pursue excellence in their
art.