5 Minutes with… Howarth Artists | Ron Cohen Mann
We are excited to introduce you to Howarth Artist Ron Cohen Mann!
Having met Ron for the first time at IDRS 2022 we are extremely excited to have them as part of the Howarth family and encourage you to explore the amazing content across their social media!
An introduction from Ron!
Hi! My name is Ron Cohen Mann and I’m the oboe instructor at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada. I play oboe and English horn with many ensembles nationally and I also create instructional YouTube videos.
Where are you based?
I’m based in Toronto.
Tell us about your early musical life, where did it start and what made you choose the oboe?
I started with piano and gradually moved to flute and then to oboe. I’m so glad I found it as it feels like an extension of my voice!
Did you always want to be a musician? If you had another career what would you have done?
As a child I wanted to be a magician and as a teen I was interested in the film industry. All of my experience with video creation has helped me with my YouTube channel and I still aspire to wow audiences and create magic in my performances as an oboist!
What has been your musical highlight(s)?
Playing Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 3 with the National Arts Centre Orchestra was a transformative experience for me. It was an incredible set of performances with brilliant colleagues.
What are favourite/worst things about playing the oboe?
My favourite thing about playing the oboe is getting to soar over the orchestra in a beautiful, heart-wrenching solo. The most challenging aspect of playing the oboe is putting aside any of the stresses of the day and being 100% present in your music making.
Where are you playing currently?
This week’s programme is Schubert 6 and Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto.
Favourite composer/piece? New piece?
I love Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit. It’s been my favourite for over a decade, and I come back to it often. I also love the music of John Adams!
What Howarth instrument do you play and why did you choose it?
I play an LXV-VT which I bought in November 2021.
Listen to Ron!