StudentS’ Success
Michele Bowen
2019 | Principal Bassoon, Phnom Penh Symphony Orchestra
2010 | Broadway Bach Ensemble, New York City
2008 | Principal bassoon, Lagrange Symphony Orchestra
2008 | Instructor of bassoon and music theory at Georgia State University
“Professor Coelho's approach to teaching is as diversified as his students. He imparts to each member of his studio instruction and guidance that is differentiated to meet each person's personal needs and learning styles. He pushes his students to achieve their best, setting the highest of expectations for each of them, yet never holding back well-deserved praise.” - Michele Bowen
Sarah Wildey-Richmond
2022 | University of Texas at San Antonio - adjunct lecturer of bassoon
2018 | Texas A&M University, Kingsville - adjunct instructor of bassoon
2015 | Amarillo Symphony - contrabassoonist
“Professor Coelho always encourages his students to follow their musical passions, and during my time at Iowa he let me explore the contrabassoon and its versatility as a solo instrument on my degree recitals. His encouragement helped me develop a musical style on contrabassoon which has led me to great success in auditions, and it’s something I would have likely never discovered had it not been for his nurturing of my interest.” - Sarah Wildey-Richmond
Krista S. Koester
2004 | US NAVY Music Program
“Mr. Coelho’s teaching with focus on solo/chamber music prepared me for my position serving for 18+ years, performing across 4 continents and 27 countries. He always met me in lessons with compassion, motivation, and empowerment. His teaching and mentorship definitely influenced my daily performance as leader of 3 different chamber ensembles.” - Krista S. Koester
Kevin Judge
2013 | Principal Bassoon, Des Moines Symphony
2012 | Bassoon Lecturer, Iowa State University
“Professor Benjamin's warm persona, dedication, and musicianship shaped my teaching philosophy. He is a great mentor who leads by example and creates an environment where students feel safe to be themselves. He meets students where they are in their musical journey and fosters growth in their development.” - Kevin Judge
Shawn Seguin
2022 | Instructor of Bassoon at Western Illinois University
2017 | University of Iowa's Concerto Competition - Winner
“I am incredibly fortunate to have studied with Benjamin Coelho for my doctorate. Every lesson was immersive and engaging, and his approach to making reeds reshaped my own approach. Ben is a fiercely dedicated educator; even before my time at the University of Iowa he was incredibly generous with his time.” - Shawn Seguin
Dr. Jeiran Hasan
2022 | Assistant Professor of Flute, Utah State University
2021 | Founder and Director, Young Artist Mentorship Program, National Flute Association
2020 | 1st Prize, San Francisco Flute Society Artist Competition
2019 | US Premiere of Anze Rozman's "Phoenix for Flute and Orchestra," Knox-Galesburg Symphony (IL)
2018 | 1st Prize: South Carolina Flute Society, Flute Society of Washington Young Artist Competitions
2018 | Spoleto USA Music Festival
2017 | 1st Prize: San Diego Flute Guild, Upper Midwest Flute Association, Flute Society of Kentucky Young Artist Competitions
2017 | Atlantic Music Festival New Music Fellow
2017 | National Music Festival
2017 | Ballard and Seashore Dissertation Fellowship AND the T. Anne Cleary International Dissertation Research Fellowship (University of Iowa)
2016 | 1st Prize: Seattle Flute Society, Atlanta Flute Club Young Artist Competitions
2016 | National Repertory Orchestra
“Although I am not a bassoonist, the mentorship and career advice I have learned from Professor Coelho during my DMA degree and post-graduation at the University of Iowa has been valuable in preparing me to succeed. His experiences and way of teaching are applicable to all students interested in pursuing a professional career in music, regardless of instrument. I am so fortunate for his mentorship.” - Dr. Jeiran Hasan
Keegan Hockett
2019 | Arts Share RA at University of Iowa
“I am lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Professor Benjamin throughout high school, my undergrad, and doctoral studies, and am grateful for his dependability as a mentor during distinct stages of my life. His enthusiasm for music and the bassoon has remained constant along with his ability to find new ways to inspire his students inside and outside of the classroom.” - Keegan Hockett
Richard Stiles
2021 | Teacher of the Year-McHenry County, IL
2010-2018 | Principal Bassoonist-North Suburban Wind Ensemble
“Mr. Coelho taught me to use my greatest strength, teaching, to reach youth in our area. He emphasized that everyone has a story and that you can unlock their potential when you listen and know the human behind the student.” - Rich Stiles
Jacqueline Wilson
Co-Founder/Co-Host at Double Reed Dish
Principal Bassoon at Washington-Idaho Symphony
“Professor Coelho is a dedicated, selfless teacher and mentor. He has gone above and beyond in preparing me to embark on a professional career, including advising me on my application materials, repertoire selections, and interview skills. This is in addition to his exemplary bassoon pedagogy, which is personable, individually-tailored, and musically thoughtful.” - Jacqueline Wilson
Rob Hillman
2021 | Doctorate in Music Performance and Pedagogy - University of Iowa
“Professor Coelho‘s guidance steered me through the long road of completing a doctorate in music performance and pedagogy. He was extremely insightful, encouraging, and available throughout my work preparing for recitals, and researching defending my dissertation. Professor Coelho is very skilled at tailoring his teaching to his students needs. He was attuned to pushing me to my greatest potential and also taking my mental health and personal goals into account.” - Rob Hillman
Alex Widstrand
2022–present | Editor at A-R Editions, Inc. (Middleton, Wisconsin)
2017–22 | Bassoon instructor at St. Ambrose University (Davenport, Iowa)
2016–20 | Bassoon faculty, UWEC Double Reed Camp (Eau Claire, Wisconsin)
Publications:
“Rediscovering a Nearly Lost Masterwork: A New Edition of Lev Knipper’s Bassoon Concerto.” The Double Reed 42, no. 4 (Winter 2019): 89–96.
“Hidden Treasures from Northeastern Europe: An Exploration of Twentieth-Century Baltic Bassoon Music.” The Double Reed 43, no. 3 (Fall 2020): 160–80.
“One of my favorite things about being Ben's student was his enthusiastic encouragement of my passion for bassoon music that is off the beaten path. That encouragement has led me in many directions as a scholar, and to continue to publish articles sharing my research with the broader bassoon community.” - Alex Widstrand
Cesar Torres
Principal Bassoon of the Centenary Municipal Band of Ponce
Bassoon professor of the Juan Morell Campos School of Music
“One of my favorite things about being Ben's student was his enthusiastic encouragement of my passion for bassoon music that is off the beaten path. That encouragement has led me in many directions as a scholar, and to continue to publish articles sharing my research with the broader bassoon community.” - Cesar Torres
Tim Storhoff
2021 | Winston-Salem Symphony - Vice President, Chief Revenue and Patron Relations Officer
2020 | "Harmony & Normalization: US-Cuban Musical Diplomacy" published by University Press of Mississippi
“While studying with Professor Coelho as an undergraduate, my interests became more ethnomusicological and he encouraged my curiosity by introducing me to South American composers, allowing me to incorporate popular music genres into my recitals, and supporting my exploration of music beyond classical bassoon performance. In the end, he taught me much more than being a great musician; he modeled how being a good person and an inspiring leader are keys to success in any field.” - Tim Storhoff
Christian Lampkin
South Carolina State University - Adjunct Professor of Flute and Music Appreciation
Flute/Piccolo - United States Air Force Band of Mid-America
“Professor Benjamin had an invaluable impact on my graduate music education and training. I learned so much from him as my woodwind quintet chamber music coach and through my woodwind pedagogy courses. His generosity, dedication, and mastery of teaching have all led me to my successes both before and after my matriculation. I’m so grateful to him and the unparalleled Woodwind family at the University of Iowa. Professor Benjamin is a lifelong resource and number one supporter to all his students. I am so thankful to have been a part of his amazing legacy!” - Christian Lampkin