Donna Conaty is Director of the School of Music at San Diego State University and professor of oboe.  Prior to joining the SDSU faculty in 2007, she was Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, Research, and Curriculum in the College of Fine Arts at Ohio University, Athens, OH where she also held the faculty rank of professor of oboe.

A versatile performer, her background ranges from orchestral and chamber ensemble to solo and recital appearances presented throughout the United States and abroad.   Her artistic interests are particularly geared toward new works and chamber music.  Conaty has performed as principal oboe of ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Columbus, OH since 1991 where she has been featured numerous times as a concerto soloist and singled out repeatedly for critical acclaim.   Additional selected performance credits include seven seasons in the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music Orchestra, conducted by Marin Alsop, Santa Cruz, CA; principal oboe of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra, Lancaster,OH; Artist Fellow in the Bach Aria Festival, NY, NY; Spoleto Festival Orchestra in Charleston, SC and Spoleto, Italy; principal oboe of the Evansville, IN Philharmonic; principal oboe of the Breckenridge Music Institute Orchestra, Breckenridge, CO as well as performing or presenting master classes for numerous professional music conferences, International Double Reed Society conferences, and university audiences. During the summers of 2005 and 2006 Donna was a member of the oboe faculty at the Interlochen Arts Camp, Interlochen, Michigan and has also presented master classes and performances at the renowned Interlochen Arts Academy.

Many of her oboe students have gone on to pursue advanced study at prestigious conservatory and university music programs, participated in top selective summer festivals, and are active as performers, university faculty, teachers, and arts professionals throughout the country and abroad.