Who?

Benjamin Do is a student, performer, and educator. He currently studies at Oakland University, under the tutelage of Cornelia Sommer. Ben began his bassoon journey in middle school when he saw the movie March of the Penguins, and heard it in its soundtrack. He asked his band director what it was and was introduced to the bassoon. After being accepted to Oakland University, he was awarded a full, talent-based scholarship. This gave him the inspiration and confidence to pursue music. 

While at Oakland, he won the Royal Oak Concerto Competition and was a finalist in the Oakland University Concerto Competition. He subs for many orchestras throughout Metro Detroit and is a full-time bassoonist for the Oakland Symphony Orchestra and the Grosse Pointe Symphony. Also an avid chamber musician, Ben has performed at children's hospitals and retirement homes in woodwind quintets, trios and duos. 

Throughout high school, Ben had always looked up to his music teachers, which motivated him to become an educator. In 2018, he started a program at his high school for volunteer students to teach free lessons to the middle school students called Band Mentors. He also teaches privately at McCourts Music Store. 

Ben is also a cat lover; he has two of his own and he built a small cat hotel in his backyard for any outdoor cats to use. After graduating from Oakland, Ben plans to continue to graduate school for bassoon performance.