Musician Bio

Jennifer Christen, a Buffalo, NY native is the Principal Oboist of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. She has performed as Guest Principal Oboe with the Chicago, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Baltimore and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestras and as Guest English Horn with the Atlanta Symphony. Ms. Christen studied at the Juilliard School with John Mack, Nathan Hughes and Elaine Douvas. Before her time in Indianapolis, Ms. Christen spent a year in Miami Beach with the New World Symphony under Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas.

Ms. Christen has also spent several summers with the Verbier Festival Orchestra in Switzerland, where she met her husband, fellow ISO flutist Alistair Howlett. Over the summers, she has performed as principal oboe at the Lakes Area Music Festival, Finger Lakes Opera, and upcoming at the Grand Teton Music Festival. As a teacher, Ms. Christen has had the pleasure of working with students at the Verbier Music Camp, Indiana University Summer Music Clinic, Indiana University Med Orchestra and with the students of the Indianapolis Youth Symphony. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two little boys, and exploring the many family experiences Indianapolis has to offer. She has an identical twin sister who plays the flute.