A native of Columbus, Ohio, Samantha Zelnik has established an active orchestral career throughout the Southeastern United States. She joins the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra as Second Oboe and English Horn in November 2026, following her appointment to the same position with the Savannah Philharmonic in 2024. She has also performed with the Naples Philharmonic, and the Augusta Symphony.
Beyond the concert hall, Samantha is a dedicated teacher and reed maker. She maintains a private oboe studio in Southwest Florida. She has been making and selling handmade oboe reeds to students and professional musicians since 2018.
Samantha has participated in the Eastern Music Festival, Rocky Ridge Music Festival, and Marrowstone Music Festival. She has performed at numerous International Double Reed Society conferences as a member of the double reed quartet, Obohio2.0.
Samantha received her Bachelor of Music from The Ohio State University, where she studied with Robert Sorton, former Associate Principal Oboe of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She is grateful for the additional guidance of Nick Stovall, Principal Oboe of the National Symphony Orchestra, and Judy Christy, Principal Oboe of the Naples Philharmonic.
