Paula Oakes (ne Morelli) began studying the violin at age eight after having begun the piano a year earlier. After consistent study of both instruments throughout high school, she decided to pursue violin as a career because of her love of the orchestral repertoire. After graduating from Ithaca College in 1986, she won a position with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, which, during her tenure, made numerous recordings of contemporary music. While based in Albany she also performed with the St. Cecilia Chamber Orchestra, sometimes serving as concertmaster or soloist, and substituted with the Syracuse Symphony and the Rochester Philharmonic.

Since 1998 Paula has lived in the Boston area freelancing on both violin and piano. Currently, Paula performs with the Boston Ballet Orchestra, The Boston Landmarks Orchestra, the National Lyric Opera Orchestra, Boston Virtuosi, and is a member of the New Hampshire Symphony. Last season, Paula appeared as soloist with fellow violinist Rebecca Katsenes in Vivaldi’s Concerto for two violins in A minor.

Paula has taught extensively over the past 16 years. She’s instructed at the Hawthorne Valley School, The Pittsfield Community Music School, and most recently at the Wellesley Public School extension program. She also gives private lessons in the home. Her own teachers have included Linda Case, Einar Holm, Burton Kaplan, and Kelly Barr.

Recently, Paula and her sweetheart, trumpet player Dana Oakes, were married in a small seaside ceremony and now reside in Jamaica Plain.