Kristi Kiene

Kristi grew up in Lorain, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland. She began playing the flute in her school band in fifth grade but quickly found it unchallenging. By seventh grade, she wanted to quit band altogether, but her mother insisted she stay. Determined to make a change, Kristi switched to the oboe in eighth grade, playing on an old instrument with plastic reeds.

In high school, her band director, an oboist, recognized her potential and suggested she seek guidance from Oberlin Conservatory. However, her parents were hesitant to invest in her oboe pursuits due to her earlier lack of dedication to the flute. Undeterred, Kristi took matters into her own hands. At 16, she got a job and arranged for lessons at Oberlin. There, a young student named Jessie Cooper became her mentor, introducing her to Alex Klein, guiding her toward a better oboe, and teaching her the craft of reed-making. This pivotal mentorship transformed Kristi’s musical journey.

By her senior year, Kristi won the principal oboe position in the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra. Initially planning to major in journalism, her growing passion for music led her to pursue a music degree. She earned a scholarship to Ohio Northern University, where she studied oboe with Patricia Nott. Mrs. Nott became a significant influence, encouraging Kristi to attend the John Mack Oboe Camp. There, Kristi met the legendary John Mack, who served as the Cleveland Orchestra’s principal oboist for 36 years. His teaching and inspiration had a profound impact on her artistry and dedication.

Although John Mack passed away in 2006, Kristi continues to attend the camp, now led by his former students, each year. She credits Mr. Mack with inspiring her to strive for excellence and shaping her into the musician she is today.

​

Kristi earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from Ohio Northern University in 1995 and her Master’s Degree in Music Performance from Georgia Southern University in 2001, where she studied with Nathan Hughes and Patricia Barry. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Music Performance at the University of Georgia under the guidance of Dr. Reid Messich.

Kristi has taught in the Savannah, Georgia area since 1995. Her teaching career began at St. Peter the Apostle School, where she taught for four years and discovered her love for helping students grow musically. During this time, she also began teaching private oboe lessons, which quickly became her true passion. After stepping away from classroom teaching to focus on her growing family, Kristi expanded her private teaching studio in response to the local demand for an oboe specialist.

Over the years, Kristi’s teaching has evolved to reflect her belief in personalized, student-centered instruction. She strives to meet each student where they are, fostering a love for music while helping them achieve technical and artistic excellence. Her teaching style is a blend of structured guidance and creative problem-solving, designed to build confidence and mastery at every level.

In 2014, Kristi’s dedication to teaching culminated in the creation of Ugly Duckling Oboes, a business devoted to oboe education, reed-making, and instrument sales and rentals. The name, inspired during a trip with friends to the John Mack Oboe Camp, reflects her belief in helping students transform their potential into something extraordinary. Through Ugly Duckling Oboes, Kristi works with students locally and globally, offering private lessons, reed-making services, and specialized audition coaching for high school juniors and seniors via Skype.

Kristi’s diverse teaching experience includes positions as a licensed Kindermusik instructor and faculty appointments at Armstrong State University, Savannah Technical College, Central Texas College, and Point University. She is also an active member of her community, having served as an Ambassador for the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, a 2013 graduate of Leadership Savannah, and a board member for Savannah Friends of Music.

Currently, Kristi collaborates with the Armstrong Youth Orchestra and remains deeply committed to her students’ success. She is a proud authorized dealer for Fox, Fossati, and Buffet oboes, ensuring her students have access to quality instruments tailored to their needs.

Kristi’s teaching philosophy is simple: every student has the potential to flourish with the right tools, guidance, and encouragement. Whether it’s in a lesson, a reed-making session, or a coaching call, her goal is to help students find their unique voice and joy in playing the oboe.