Quote: "You're the one who wanted to play the oboe." (James Dixon, conductor U of Iowa Orchestra. After I'd made a very embarrassing mistake, followed by a look of horror at the end of a very long rehearsal.)

Birthplace: Spencer, Iowa

Grew up: Still working on that, but I lived in Iowa until I was 24.

Started playing: 16

Education: U of Iowa, BM, music education, MA oboe performance, private study with Fred Cohen

Began with PSO: 1982

Non-PSO Activities: PORT opera, Opera North, Musicians of Wall Street (chamber music), Atlantic Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Lezcano, freelance work

Favorite music: Almost anything. For classical music, Mahler (still waiting after 24 years, to play Symphony #2 in Portland!), Dvorak (7 & 8), Mozart, Bach, obscure chamber music. Led Zeppelin, the Who, Oscar Peterson. This is like asking my favorite food.

In my iPod: iPeas.

Hobbies: Gardening, photography, cooking, cats, bargain-hunting

Email: stefburk@metrocast.net

Ensemble: Musicians of Wall Street performances: (www.ccmusicschool.org)

Teacher: I teach oboe, coach ensembles, and serve as Wind Department Chair at Concord Community Music School. (contact above) I also teach privately at home in Strafford, NH.