After graduating from UT-Austin’s Butler School of Music in 2022, Korey Young stepped into a career as a freelancer, teacher, and reed maker in Central Texas.

Korey is Principal Oboist of the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra and plays second oboe in Temple Symphony Orchestra. He has performed as a substitute oboist with Austin Symphony, San Antonio Philharmonic, Central Texas Philharmonic, Mid-Texas Symphony, Laredo Philharmonic, and Victoria Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, Korey was a semifinalist in the Young Texas Artists Music Competition (2019) and an invited competitor at the Barbirolli International Oboe Competition (2019). He won the Contemporary Youth Orchestra’s Concerto Competition in 2018 and the Three Arts Club of Lakewood Ohio Scholarship Competition in both 2018 and 2019.

Korey is honored to contribute to public school music programs in Texas as a private oboe instructor. He currently maintains a studio of 50+ students of all ages and teaches masterclasses throughout greater Austin. Korey presented on the panel discussion “Oboe Teachers Talk: Nurturing the Student” at the International Double Reed Society conference 2025.

Korey has studied reed-making with Andrew Parker, Jeffrey Rathbun, Nancy Ambrose King, and instrument maker Keith Hill. His finished reeds are highly sought-after by both students and professionals. Korey continuously develops his material selections and reed-making techniques for optimal comfort and acoustical performance. Korey is also a gouged/shaped cane vendor for Midwest Musical Imports.

Korey’s primary instructors have been Andrew Parker, Jeffrey Rathbun, and Katie Young Steele.