A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Chelsea Russell has performed as Second Oboe with the Greenville Symphony since 2023 and will be Acting Principal Oboe for the 2025-2026 season. Chelsea received a bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University followed by a master’s degree and Artist Diploma from the University of Cincinnati: College—Conservatory of Music.

Prior to returning to her hometown, Chelsea was a member of the Air Force Band of the Golden West and the Golden West Winds woodwind quintet stationed at Travis Air Force Base from 2017-2021. She was Principal Oboe of the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra (’12-’16), Associate Principal/2nd Oboe with the Richmond, IN Symphony Orchestra (’14-’16), and Second Oboe with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra (’16-’17).

You may run into Chelsea around Greenville with her husband Seth (GSO Principal Cellist), new baby boy, and their dog Pippin on the Swamp Rabbit trail, Tandem Creperie, or the Swamp Rabbit Cafe!