Oberlander instrumental in helping students be ‘best versions of themselves’

April 11, 2023

If Dr. Lisa Oberlander’s 25 years on the Columbus State University faculty have proven one thing, it’s that the intersection between education, arts and community in the Fountain City is real. As the clarinet professor in the Joyce and Henry Schwob School of Music, Oberlander has been instrumental in fostering growth and development in the school, among its students and within Columbus’ music community.

“Teaching has always been something that I’ve loved and wanted to do. I really enjoy helping students become the best versions of themselves not only as musicians, but interpersonally as well,” Oberlander said. “My students get excited when they are asked to play in studio class because they know that I believe they’re ready to achieve the next level and start performing outside of the classroom. While college and performance can both be very stressful, my students know that they have a community of peers and professionals that are there to set them up for success.”

Oberlander received her bachelor of music in music education from Indiana University in 1993, followed by a master of music in clarinet performance and her doctor of musical arts in clarinet performance in 1995 and 2000, respectively. She joined the CSU faculty in 1998 while working toward her doctorate. Since then, she has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan, as well as with major symphonies that include the Phoenix Symphony, the Arizona Opera, the Columbus (Georgia) Symphony, and others. She appears in many recordings, such as her solo performances in Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs (2017), in “The Light Fantastic” from Velocity (2005), and on her feature CD Times Like These (2014). 

Oberlander’s students have received many awards and accolades, including performances at Carnegie Hall, first prize in the Music Teachers National Association National Senior Woodwinds Division, and the $15,000 Marcus L. Urann Fellowship from Phi Kappa Phi. Alumni from the studio have become successful university professors, full-time orchestral and military band performers, teachers, conductors, arts administrators, and professionals in many other fields.

In addition to teaching, Oberlander also serves as the school’s assistant director. Some of her administrative duties have included coordinating the Schwob School of Music’s performance calendar, arranging special events such as workshops and guest performers, writing student learning outcome reports, and managing the school’s involvement in RiverPark Campus Discovery Day events for prospective students.  

“I love getting to talk to students and families about CSU on Discovery Days. I truly feel like CSU is sort of a hidden gem. There is so much growth happening in the greater community that is important to recognize—especially in the musical community,” she shared. “Our students get to meet and study with world-class performers and teachers here, and not every place can offer that. Not only that, but there is a lot of diversity here, as many students come here from all over the world. Plus there’s so many opportunities for scholarships, study abroad, masterclasses, festivals, conventions and so much more that really make CSU a great place to be.”

Oberlander values community involvement and outreach, and she regularly visits local high school music programs as a guest clinician. She often offers interested students free lessons during their visits to see if majoring in music is right for them. 

“Music is for everyone, and I believe everyone deserves to have access to music— whether they’re on the stage or in the audience,” she said. “All over the world, no matter what language you speak or what background you come from, everyone responds to music. Music is one of those things that makes us human, and it’s so important to pass these skills on to others.”

Oberlander’s next performance will be a collaborative performance of the Ralph Vaughan-Williams “Quintet in D Major” with Dr. Anne-Marie Cherry on April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Legacy Hall at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. This concert, as well as the remaining spring semester performances on the Schwob School of Music calendar, are free and open to the public. 

Riley Smoot, a Spring 2023 intern in the Office of Strategic Communication + Marketing, contributed this article.

Media contact:
Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu