Meet the Musician: Erik Andrusyak, Principal Oboe

Erik Andrusyak, Principal Oboe

When did you begin to play your instrument?

I started oboe when I was 9 years old. My father played bassoon when he was younger, so one day he took me and my two older brothers to a local music school in Lipetsk, Russia, and he assigned us woodwind instruments according to how tall we were! The oldest brother was given a bassoon, the middle brother was handed a clarinet, and of course as the youngest I got an oboe.

Where did you study your main instrument; with whom?

After my initial studies in Russia I came to Chicago and studied with the ESO’s own oboe and English horn player Joseph Claude! Later I attended DePaul University where I studied with Grace Hong and Alex Klein.

When did you join ESO?

I just joined the ESO in the fall of 2019. It has been an amazing time with the ESO so far and I can’t wait to get back to the stage with my colleagues to perform for you again soon!

What other orchestras have you played with/do you play with now?

I have performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Philharmonic, the New World Symphony, the Illinois Symphony and the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra.

What was your most memorable ESO performance?

Besides my very first performance in September when I got to first meet and play with the great musicians of the ESO, my most memorable performance was the Mother Goose Ballet and Bolero program in November! Ravel can be challenging to perform, but despite this his music is often so transcendentally peaceful!

What are some of your interests, and how are you passing the time?

I am obsessed with film and have an enormous list of films I need love to see. I have been passing much of the time introducing my wife to many of my favorite films and franchises, one of which was Star Wars! I have proudly converted her to being a Star Wars fan! We also have two cats and love spending time with them.