Audition Cafe

Introduction

Natalie Beckenbaugh began playing the piano at age five where her musical training began. At the age ten she started playing saxophone and then her interests changed to the oboe when she was thirteen. She pursued the oboe during her high school career. During that time, she was a member of Dekalb Youth Symphony and Buckehead Youth Orchestra. As a member of Dekalb Youth Symphony, she performed a concerto with the group in her second year of membership. Other accomplishments include being a recording artist with Spivey Hall Children’s Choir and Dunwoody United Methodist Chancel Choir as well as being part of All State Band/Orchestra for three years. Some of her other musical work was done in the choral world. She was a member of the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir for seven years and was also the musical director at Vanderlyn Elementary for four years.
Natalie continued her education at the College Conservatory of Music where she studied with Mark Ostoich. Here, she was a member of the Wind Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Concert Orchestra, and Philharmonia. Besides being a member of these groups, she gave three recitals, competed in scholarship competitions, participated in MTNA, and was a member of her quintet, 4+One. She is now pursuing her Master’s Degree at Carnegie Mellon University, under the tutelage of Cynthia DeAlmeida. While at Carnegie Mellon, Natalie is serving as the Teaching Assistant for the Oboe Studio. She also has participated in other student’s recitals, chamber competitions with her quintet- Gradations of Sound, and organized community outreach events. She is looking forward to her final year of Graduate School and all the opportunities it may bring. In addition to her being a student, she also acts as the oboist for the New Music Ensemble, NAT28, a non-profit organization based in Pittsburgh.