• Any Vacant Position

• Oboe
• English Horn

As an Assistant Professor of Oboe at Illinois State University and a Performing Arts in Medicine Ambassador, I offer a multifaceted perspective to the International Double Reed Society. My journey in overcoming focal dystonia grants me firsthand insight into musician's health and injury prevention, fueling my commitment to holistic wellness while instilling in me a profound amount of empathy for the challenges musicians face regularly. Additionally, I actively commission new works across various instrumental combinations, enriching the repertoire for double reed players. My dedication to diversity extends to promoting underrepresented composers, fostering inclusivity within our community, and establishing collaborative relationships across different disciplines and fields of study. With strong organizational skills and a collaborative spirit, I'm poised to advance IDRS's goals and advocate for its members as a Regional Board Member.

Dr. Jillian Kouzel serves as Assistant Professor of Oboe at Illinois State University. With an active freelance career, Jillian has performed professionally with the Ann Arbor Symphony, Illinois Symphony, and Peoria Symphony, and formerly held the third oboe/english horn position with the Lima Symphony Orchestra. Solo appearances include the Illinois State University Wind Symphony performance of Roger Zare's Oboe Concerto "Oceans of Undiscovered Truth," The Heart of Texas Concert Band performance of Oscar Navarro’s "Legacy Oboe Concerto," and the Concordia University Wind Ensemble premiere of Katherine Bergman’s "Hidden Currents Oboe Concerto." Additionally, she is an advocate for commissioning new works. As an Assistant Professor of Oboe at Illinois State University, Jillian teaches applied oboe lessons to undergraduate and graduate music majors. Additionally, she teaches a double reed methods course and coaches chamber music. Previously, Jillian served as Adjunct Professor of Oboe and Woodwind Methods at Saginaw Valley State University and Interim Professor of oboe at Bowling Green State University and Heidelberg University. She holds a DMA from the University of Michigan along with a double Master’s degree in both Music Performance and Chamber Music under the guidance of Nancy Ambrose King. While at The University of Michigan, she was a Graduate Student Instructor. Jillian also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Oboe Performance from the University of Texas at Austin under Andrew Parker and Rebecca Henderson. Jillian has auditioned and performed in numerous summer music festivals including: The New York String Orchestra Seminar, The National Repertory Orchestra, and Sarasota Music Festival to name a few. Jillian is an active ambassador and member of the Performing Arts in Medicine Association. Likewise, she is an active member of the International Double Reed Society. In her free time, Jillian enjoys staying active through weightlifting, running, and traveling.