Life After Oberlin Conservatory

Oberlin Conservatory graduates end up in all the places you would expect. And a lot of places you wouldn't.

What do they have in common? All of them experienced Oberlin's culture of supportive risk-taking: a space where creativity flourishes, leading to independent thinking and high achievement—and to graduates who step away from our campus as confident artists and professionals with a broad worldview and meaningful connections that last a lifetime.

A grid of diverse faces, some with a musical instrument visible. Most are smiling and look relaxed.

Discover the Possibilities

Music degrees lead to many destinations, and Oberlin's Double Degree Program opens those options even wider.

What do Oberlin Conservatory alumni go on to do?

Our graduates excel across the musical spectrum and in fields away from music. They fill the ranks of orchestras and opera companies and teaching institutions. They are entrepreneurs who launch genre-defining ensembles. They excel as conductors and producers, educators and arts executives, theoreticians and historians. They take top prizes in major competitions, and they win Grammy Awards, MacArthur Grants, and Pulitzer Prizes. They also shine as radio hosts and radiologists, entertainment lawyers and acoustic consultants, breadmakers and vintners, and in every field you can imagine.

Learn more about some of our alumni and what they’ve gone on to achieve. Use the filter, sort, and search tools below to explore the list.

Professional Development

Oberlin Conservatory’s Office of Professional Development provides students with the guidance and skills to build successful careers in music and become the next generation of cultural leaders. The office facilitates workshops, panel sessions, Q&As with visiting artists, courses, online resources, and individual advising on a broad range of topics that reflect arts entrepreneurship and career development.

See Conservatory Professional Development