International Bassoon Meetup

Founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Bassoon Meetup (IBM) is dedicated to fostering artistic excellence and educational opportunities for young bassoonists worldwide through fee-free international competitions, awards, and collaborative initiatives.

Led by leading international educators and performers, the International Bassoon Meetup (IBM) team is run by a collaborative team whose members serve in administrative, marketing, jury, and committee roles, cultivating the vibrant global Bassoon Meetup community. The generous support of bassoon manufacturers and double reed businesses helps make these opportunities possible, empowering the next generation of bassoonists.

IBM is devoted solely to the advancement of young bassoonists’ artistic growth and professional development.

Co-Chairs of the IBM Award & Judging Committee

Whitney Crockett

Principal Bassoon, Los Angeles Philharmonic

Gustavo Núñez

Principal Bassoon, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

IBM Global Judging Committee

The IBM Global Judging Committee will be an international panel of distinguished experts, assembled for each competition and award to ensure the highest standards of artistic integrity, fairness, and global representation.

Co-Founder: Whitney Crockett

Principal Bassoon, Los Angeles Philharmonic

Co-Founder: Yoon Joo Hwang

Associate Professor of Music, University of Central Florida

Former Members of the Judging Committee (2020–2024)

The International Bassoon Meetup gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the following individuals who previously served on the Judging Committee.

2024

  • Eduardo Calzada (Venezuela) — Second Bassoon, SWR Symphony Orchestra, Hochschule für Musik Freiburg, Musikhochschule Mannheim

  • Whitney Crockett (USA) — Principal Bassoon, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Lynn University Conservatory of Music

  • Lola Descours (France) —Principal Bassoon, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Amsterdam University of the Arts

  • Margaret Dudley (USA) —Former Assistant Principal Bassoon, Frankfurt Radio Symphony

  • Catherine Van Handel (USA): Former Principal Bassoon, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Associate Principal Bassoon, The Cleveland Orchestra

  • Simon Van Holen (Belgium) —Bassoon & Contrabassoon, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam University of the Arts

  • Emily Hultmark (United Kingdom) — Professor of Bassoon, Royal College of Music, Former Principal Bassoon, Philharmonia Orchestra, Former Co-Principal Bassoon, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Composer & Experimental Musician

  • Laurent Lefèvre (France) — Principal Bassoon, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Paris, Professor of Bassoon, Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris

  • Gustavo Núñez (Uruguay) — Principal Bassoon, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Reina Sofía School of Music, Madrid, Spain

  • Masayuki Okamoto (Japan): Principal Bassoon, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo University of the Arts, President, Japan Bassoon Association

  • Marion Reinhard (Germany) — Bassoon & Contrabassoon, Teatro alla Scala Orchestra, Bassoon, Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet

  • María José Rielo Blanco (Spain) — Guest Principal Bassoon, Münchner Kammerorchester, Bassoon Assistant, Barcelona Opera House, Escuela Superior de Música de Cataluña

  • Saxton Rose (USA) —Dean, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Principal Bassoon, Winston-Salem Symphony, Bassoon, Zéphyros Winds

  • Alexandre Silvério (Brazil) —Principal Bassoon, São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, Classical and Jazz Bassoonist

  • Keiko Sugawara (Japan) — Bassoon & Contrabassoon, NHK Symphony Orchestra

  • Matthew Wilkie (Australia) —Principal Emeritus Bassoon, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Former Principal Bassoon, Chamber Orchestra of Europe

2022

  • Whitney Crockett (USA) — Principal Bassoon, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Lynn University Conservatory of Music

  • Margaret Dudley (USA) — Former Assistant Principal Bassoon, Frankfurt Radio Symphony

  • Rie Koyama (Japan) — Principal Bassoon, Bamberg Symphony Orchestra

  • Suzanne Nelsen (USA) — Second Bassoon, Boston Symphony Orchestra

  • Gustavo Núñez (Uruguay) Principal Bassoon, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Reina Sofía School of Music, Madrid, Spain

  • Leyla Zamora (Costa Rica) — Bassoon and Contrabassoon, San Diego Symphony Orchestra

2021

  • Whitney Crockett (USA) — Principal Bassoon, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Lynn University Conservatory of Music

  • Sophie Dervaux (France) — Principal Bassoon, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

  • Suzanne Nelsen (USA) — Second Bassoon, Boston Symphony Orchestra

  • Rufus Olivier (USA) — Former Principal Bassoon, San Francisco Opera Orchestra and San Francisco Ballet Orchestra; Faculty, Stanford University

  • Philipp Zeller (Germany) — Professor of Bassoon, Hochschule für Musik Dresden

  • Leyla Zamora (Costa Rica) — Bassoon and Contrabassoon, San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Former Members of the Artistic Committee (2020-2024)

The International Bassoon Meetup gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the following individuals who previously served on the Artistic Committee.

  • Benjamin Coelho (USA) – Professor of Bassoon, University of Iowa

  • Sophie Dervaux (France) – Principal Bassoon, Vienna Philharmonic

  • Yoshi Ishikawa (USA) – Professor of Bassoon, University of Colorado Boulder

  • Kristin Wolfe Jensen (USA) – Professor of Bassoon, University of Texas at Austin

  • Kim Laskowski (USA) – Former Associate Principal Bassoon, New York Philharmonic, The Juilliard School; Faculty, Manhattan School of Music.

  • Jeffrey Lyman (USA) - Professor of Bassoon, University of Michigan

  • Kathleen McLean (Canada)– Associate Professor of Bassoon, Indiana University

  • Suzanne Nelsen (Canada) – Second Bassoon, Boston Symphony Orchestra

  • Rufus Olivier (USA) – Principal Bassoon, San Francisco Opera & Ballet

  • Leyla Zamora (Costa Rica)– Bassoon & Contrabassoon, San Diego Symphony

2020 - First International Bassoon Meetup (During the COVID)

The International Bassoon Meetup gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the following individuals who served as Guest Clinicians and Artists, especially during the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to provide educational opportunities and artistic inspiration for young bassoonists around the globe.

  • Hans Agreda (Venezuela) – Contrabassoon, Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)

  • Whitney Crockett (USA) — Principal Bassoon, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Lynn University Conservatory of Music

  • Sophie Dervaux (France) – Principal Bassoon, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

  • Darrel Hale (USA) – Associate Professor of Bassoon, University of North Texas, Former Associate Professor of Bassoon, Louisiana State University

  • Yoon Joo Hwang (Korea) - Associate Professor of Bassoon, University of Central Florida

  • Kim Laskowski (USA) – Former Associate Principal Bassoon, New York Philharmonic, The Juilliard School; Manhattan School of Music

  • Lansong Li (China) – Professor of Bassoon, Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, Principal Bassoon, China Philharmonic Orchestra

  • Shawn Mouser (USA) – Former Associate Principal Bassoon, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Southern California Thornton School of Music

  • Matthias Rácz (Germany) – Principal Bassoon, Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)

  • Stefan Schweigert (Germany) – Principal Bassoon, Berlin Philharmonic, Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic

  • Ann Shoemaker (USA) – Associate Professor of Bassoon, Baylor University

  • Simon Van Holen (Belgium) – Bassoon & Contrabassoon, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Conservatorium van Amsterdam

Contact:

Yoon Joo Hwang

bassoonmeetup@gmail.com