Dorian Cooke

According to Dorian Cooke, a life without music is inconceivable. It is the source of everything. “Through music, I can express myself in a way that is truly incomparable. It can comfort, inspire, and bring so much joy, especially with wind instruments.”

Since 1998, the bassoonist has been a member of the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble and performs in almost all of its programs. It is especially the act of playing together, the shared creation of beauty, that appeals to Dorian. Whether it is with a chamber orchestra on a stage in the Netherlands or with a large ensemble in Jordan, “it’s about the musical communication with each other and with the audience. Such experiences transcend language and words.”

Dorian, with her distinctive style—one reviewer once described her as a snake charmer who moves with the melody—is a favorite of many composers. Among those who have written compositions specifically for the bassoonist are Frigyes Hidas, Theodor Burkali, Stephen Melillo, Vicente Moncho, and Harrie Janssen. Since 2012, Dorian has also been teaching at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague.