Originally from Galloway, Ohio, Samantha Zelnik is currently the oboe fellow in the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, serving as principal oboist for both the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra and the Gulf Coast Chamber Orchestra. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance degree from The Ohio State University, where she graduated magna cum laude. During her studies, she performed as part of the Buckeye Double Reed Ensemble, and was a founding member of the Timbre Woodwind Quintet. As a soloist, she performed the Haydn Oboe Concerto after being named a winner in The Ohio State Symphony Orchestra concerto competition. She has performed with numerous orchestras including the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra, Firelands Symphony Orchestra and Camerata of Naples Chamber Orchestra. 

Samantha’s summers have been spent at the Eastern Music Festival, Rocky Ridge Music Festival, and Marrowstone Music Festivals. Outside the US, she performed at the International Double Reed Society conference in Granada, Spain. 

An arts administrator, Samantha served as the Education Service Manager, Community Outreach Coordinator, and Youth Orchestra Coordinator for the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts. Her oboe students’ recent successes include admission to the Interlochen Orchestra and Wind Ensemble Summer Program, and performances at the OMEA Solo and Ensemble contest. Samantha has worked with high schools as a marching band clinician in addition to volunteering at multiple summer music education intensives. Her major teachers include Robert Sorton and Nick Stovall.