Bea Strong

Dr. Bea Strong was born and raised in South Africa where she received her BMusHons cum laude from Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape. At age 14, she became the youngest member of the Eastern Cape Philharmonic and during her undergraduate years she performed as oboist with the South African National Youth Symphony, Free State Symphony and Kwa-Zulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2004 Dr. Strong furthered her oboe studies under Prof. Martin Schuring at Arizona State University, where she received a Master in Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degree in oboe performance. During her graduate studies, she was a founding member of the internationally recognized Paradise Winds that has been featured on American Public Radio’s Performance Today. Dr. Strong is currently the Assistant Director and Chamber Music Coordinator at the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program. Aside from teaching she also enjoys playing on a substitute basis with the New Mexico Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony, Southwest Opera Orchestra, The Figueroa Music and Arts Project, and Chatter.