Born and raised in Calgary, Canada, Colin Maier graduated from the University of Calgary in 1997 with a degree in oboe performance studying with David Sussman. Since 2009, Colin has been the oboist with the critically acclaimed ensemble “Quartetto Gelato” playing 50-70 international concerts a year. During that time he has been heard on national radio broadcasts, seen on the BRAVO network and received the 2010 INDIE award for best classical ensemble. His two solo recordings “Advice From a Misguided Man” and “The Fabulist” feature commissioned compositions by Canadian composers in a variety of genres including classical, jazz, klezmer, and Celtic. His music is regularly heard on radio stations globally.
He has also played with orchestras such as the Calgary Philharmonic and the National Ballet Orchestra. He has performed in orchestra pits for mega musicals across Canada. As well as being a guest lecturer/recitalist at universities across North America, Colin is currently the oboe professor at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario.
In addition to being a musician, Colin worked for over 20 years as a dancer, actor, stuntman, singer, choreographer, acrobat and martial-artist. Colin had the honor of playing the devil fiddler in the flying blue canoe for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies. Colin had also been seen in “Lord of the Rings” (Mirvish), “Fire” (CanStage), “Forbidden Phoenix” (LKTYP), “KA” (Cirque du Soleil), “Amadeus” (Alberta Theatre Projects), “That Dance Show” (Saltance Productions), “Cats” (Neptune Theatre), “Joseph’s Dreamcoat” (StageWest/Drayton), “A Chorus Line” (StageWest), Sarah Brightman’s World Tour, and TV’s “Honey I Shrunk the Kids!”.
Colin continues to explore the limits of the oboe, and to find new ways to combine his two passions of music and theatre.
For more info, visit www.colinmaier.com