Brian Seaton, Owner

Brian Seaton has a combination of skills and experience rarely encountered in the music industry. His training is a unique combination of performing, oboe making and countless hours devoted to the art of instrument finishing.

Brian completed the Honours Bachelor of Music degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and the Master of Music degree from Florida State University. His principal teachers have been Jim Mason, Dr. Eric Ohlsson, and David James.

Brian apprenticed with Margaret Noble of OboeWorks in 1998. He later returned to OboeWorks as a full-time oboe repair technician after completing a Master of Music degree from Florida State University. In 2003 he was invited to Covey Oboes to serve as Production Manager and Repair Service Manager, a position he held for three years. In this capacity, he acquired an in-depth acoustical understanding of the oboe as well as continuing to hone his skills at the repair bench.

In total Brian has spent over twenty four years repairing and making oboes. In that time he has had the privilege of working with a large number of talented oboists and gained much experience with many makes and models of oboes. This combination of experiences has given Brian a unique understanding of what oboists require from their instrument. Brian continues to perform with orchestras around the South East as well as teach and lecture. Brian is on faculty at Western Carolina University as instructor of oboe and chamber music.

Dr. Taylor Massey, Clarinet

Taylor Massey began repairing clarinets and oboes in 2017, learning the trade with master technician Brian Seaton. Since joining the team at Reedhouse, Dr. Massey has developed a high level of expertise in area of clarinet/oboe repair. He particularly enjoys the relationships that are formed through working on instruments and meeting new clients.

As a performer Dr. Massey is in demand in the southeast region as principal clarinet with Augusta Symphony Orchestra and performances with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, South Carolina Philharmonic, and Savannah Philharmonic. Outside of the southeast, he has served as principal clarinet of the Lake Placid Sinfonietta and New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players. In addition to orchestral performances, he has been a featured soloist with Augusta Symphony Orchestra on multiple occasions, Savannah River Winds, Carolina Youth Symphony, and Augusta University Wind Ensemble.

 Dr. Massey has served as clarinet instructor at the Brevard College, Western Carolina University, University of Georgia, Augusta University, Georgia Southern University, and Claflin University. His principal instructors have been Steven Cohen, Russell Dagon, Ronald de Kant, and Alan Kay. He has received bass clarinet instruction from Ronald Aufmann of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and J. Lawrie Bloom of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Massey earned a bachelor’s degree from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, master’s degree from Northwestern University, and doctorate from Stony Brook University.