About Matthew Covington

Music found me early. I started out singing in a youth choir and stuck with choir through my teen years. I still sing sometimes as a self-described second-rate countertenor, mostly for fun.

My mom played violin in symphonies, so I grew up going to concerts and even sitting in on rehearsals. Watching great musicians work up close made a big impression on me and shaped how I listen and play today.

Band started in middle school on trumpet, but the real turning point came in high school when I switched to oboe and joined the Winston-Salem Youth Symphony. That led to studying oboe at UNC Greensboro with Ashley Barret. I did not finish the degree, but the training and mentorship I received there laid the groundwork for my career.

These days I perform regularly around North Carolina. I hold positions with the Greensboro Symphony, Carolina Philharmonic, Western Piedmont Symphony, Salisbury Symphony, Fayetteville Symphony, and Piedmont Wind Symphony, and I sub with several other groups. I also teach oboe at The Music Academy of North Carolina and work with private students. If you are curious about the full list, my résumé lives here.

Outside of music, I enjoy PC gaming and spending time at home with my husband Randall, our dog Burt, and our cat Omar.

If you are looking for lessons, reeds, or a collaborator for a project, I would love to connect.