CAROLINE IS AN EXPERIENCED BASSOONIST, EDUCATOR, AND NEW MUSIC ADVOCATE.

Caroline Sackleh (she/her) is the Founder and Co-Director of New Downbeat, a new music collective that features women musicians performing works exclusively by living composers, as well as private bassoon instructor and freelancer throughout the Cincinnati tri-state area. Her artistic endeavors have lead to performances throughout the globe, and her recent higher education teaching experience includes serving as Bassoon Instructor at Ball State University (Muncie, IN) for the 2023-2024 academic year.

As an active member of the new music community, Caroline has commissioned 50 world premieres for solo instruments, duos, and small chamber ensembles.

Noteworthy academic presentations and performances have taken place at: the 2024 International Double Reed Society Conference (Flagstaff, AZ), the 2024 International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest (Dublin, Ireland), the 6th annual SHE: Festival of Women in Music (University of Arkansas, March 2024), and New Music Gathering (virtual, fall of 2021).

Education background: Doctorate in Bassoon Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) with a cognate in Chamber Music, where she studied with William Winstead, Martin Garcia, Christopher Sales, and Martin James. Master’s degree from Louisiana State University, and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; both in Bassoon Performance. 

Much of her motivation and inspiration for creating and teaching music comes from her friendships, mother nature, and the desire to express emotions and connect with those who are listening.