Ted Sugata joined Pacific Symphony as Second Oboe in the 2014-2015 season. Previously, he was a member of the Sarasota Orchestra in Florida and principal oboist with the Lyrique-en-Mer Opera Festival in Belle-Ile, France. As an active chamber and orchestral musician, he has performed with many organizations, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Long Beach Symphony, South Bay Chamber Music Society, Jacaranda Music, and Glendale Noon concert series.

A native of Los Angeles, he received the ASCAP Leiber and Stoller music scholarship and was a semifinalist in the Los Angeles Music Center’s Spotlight Awards Competition. He continued his studies at the Manhattan School of Music and Cleveland Institute of Music with Joseph Robinson and John Mack. He has performed at the Tanglewood Music Center, National Repertory Orchestra, Music Academy of the West, and Sarasota music festivals. Dr. Sugata completed a Doctorate of Musical Arts in oboe performance at USC in 2014 under Dr. Joel Timm.

His teaching inspiration and philosophy come directly from the mentorship of these teachers, and he believes in passing down their traditions to the next generation of music students.

In addition to his private oboe studio, he serves on the faculties of Chapman University, Azusa Pacific University, Long Beach City College, the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts, and Idyllwild Arts Summer. His students have gone on to careers in music and have been accepted into the Juilliard School, Cleveland Institute of Music, New England Conservatory, Rice University, Indiana University, and USC. Recent student accomplishments include positions with the New York Philharmonic and Houston Grand Opera/ Ballet.

Ted and his wife, Colleen, spend their free time keeping track of their two exuberant children, reading, traveling, and binge-watching every TV show.