Susan Batten - Victoria

Susan is a freelance oboist and teacher based in Melbourne, Australia.

She completed her Bachelor of Music Performance from the VCA in 2001, studying with Anne Gilby.

She regularly plays Oboe/Cor Anglais in John Foreman's Aussie Pops Orchestra and Crosswinds Ensemble. Past productions have included Oboe/Cor Anglais in The Production Company Orchestra for: Ragtime, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Oklahoma!, Brigadoon and the Melbourne productions of Mary Poppins (Disney Theatrical) (2010 and 2023), Dr Zhivago (Gordon Frost), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (TML Enterprises), South Pacific (Opera Australia) and Wicked (Crossroads Live). 

Susan has worked as a Woodwind Tutor for the Victorian Youth Symphony Orchestra and Oboe Tutor for State Music Camp. 

She presented a solo recital of all Australian music at the 2023 International Double Reed Conference in Thailand.

Susan is the Victorian representative of the Australasian Double Reed Society (ADRS) and is passionate about promoting and encouraging double reed players of all ages and levels. She has fond memories of mass double reed ensembles - which included 30 oboists and bassoonists playing together in the living room of her first teacher, Sue Taylor!