Kaia Sand

Kaia loves teaching oboe students of all ages and skill levels. Her lessons focus on building a strong foundation in oboe technique and music fundamentals, including embouchure, air support, tone, articulation, pitch precision, and rhythmic accuracy. Kaia fosters a supportive and encouraging environment, helping students develop the tools they need to express musical ideas that go beyond what is written on the page. Lessons are tailored to each student’s needs and goals, typically incorporating a mix of scale work, method book exercises (usually from The Gekeler Method for Oboe or The Barret Oboe Method), and appropriate solo repertoire. Kaia is also happy to assist students with ensemble music or specific pieces they wish to learn. By teaching effective practice strategies and helping students cultivate critical listening and problem-solving skills, Kaia hopes to instill in her students the confidence and independence needed to become lifelong learners of the oboe.

Kaia is an active freelancer and teacher throughout the Twin Cities metro area. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in music from Luther College and a Master of Music in oboe performance from the University of Oklahoma. While living in Oklahoma, she performed with the Norman Philharmonic, the Cimarron Opera, and the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. Kaia joined the Dolce Wind Quintet in 2019 and currently serves as principal oboist with both the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra and the Mississippi Valley Orchestra. She has also subbed with numerous ensembles in the area, including the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, and the Wayzata Symphony Orchestra. She has taught oboe and reed making lessons to students of all ages through private lessons and summer camps. In addition to teaching at Cadenza Music, Kaia teaches oboe in several area schools and is the oboe instructor for the nonprofit Etude for Youth. Her students have been accepted into All-State ensembles, summer music festivals, and prestigious college music programs, including the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester) and the Jacobs School of Music (Indiana University Bloomington).