Mark Cooney

Oboe, Cor Anglais, Guitar, Ukulele, Recorder, Trad Flute/Whistle

Mark Cooney is an accomplished oboist, cor anglais player, guitarist, and traditional Irish instrumentalist originally from Detroit, Michigan. A versatile musician with a background spanningclassical, orchestral, wind ensemble, early music, and Irish traditional performance, Mark hasestablished an active career in both the United States and Ireland.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts in Oboe Performance from Wayne State University, where he alsoundertook postgraduate studies in Orchestral Studies. During his time at Wayne State, he was awarded the Evangeline Dumesnil Scholarship and the Harry Begian Award for Musical Excellence, and was recognised with the Star of Delta Omicron Music Fraternity for his musical achievements. He has performed with numerous distinguished ensembles throughout the Detroitregion, including the Michigan Philharmonic, International Symphony of Sarnia, Detroit Civic Symphony, Ann Arbor Chamber Players, and Detroit Camerata. Mark was also selected to perform with the American Youth International Orchestra, undertaking an international concert tour ofGermany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands as a member of one of the United States’ leadingyouth orchestras.

In 2026, Mark received the Adjudicators’ Award for Musicianship and Solo Playing at the Southof Ireland Wind Symphony Competition, recognising his outstanding musicality and performance ability as a soloist. This distinction reflects his continued development as a performer and his commitment to achieving a high standard of artistic excellence.

Following his classical studies, Mark pursued his passion for Irish traditional music at the Irish WorldAcademy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, where he completed a Master’s Degree in Irish Music Studies with Honours. His postgraduate studies allowed him to further develop his expertise in Irish traditional music while drawing upon his extensive foundation in classicalperformance.

Based in Limerick, Ireland, Mark currently serves as Principal Oboe of the Thomond Wind Symphony, while maintaining an active performance career across a broad range of musical settings.

He has performed with numerous ensembles throughout Ireland, including the Limerick Early Music Festival Orchestra, Limerick Philharmonic Orchestra, Limerick Choral Union Orchestra, IrishSymphonic Wind Orchestra, University of Limerick Orchestra, and Adult Irish Youth Orchestra.

He has also been invited to present an oboe masterclass at the Limerick School of Music, further reflecting his involvement in instrumental education and performance.

Mark’s principal oboe and cor anglais teachers have included Brian Ventura of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Eldonna May, Stephanie Shapiro of Wayne State University, andTimothy Michling of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. His musical practice is distinguished bythe breadth of his experience across multiple traditions and performance disciplines, combining theprecision and discipline of classical training with the expressive character and cultural heritage of Irish traditional music.

Through his work as a performer, educator, and multi-instrumentalist, Mark continues to develop a distinctive musical voice at the intersection of classical performance, Irish traditional music, and contemporary ensemble practice.