Colin Hilliard believes that sharing the gift of music is essential to maintaining a vibrant community, whether through performance, education, or collaboration. He is a freelance bassoonist performing with ensembles such as the Plano Symphony, Irving Symphony, San Angelo Symphony, and the McKinney Philharmonic. Colin also maintains a private bassoon studio, where he focuses on inspiring the next generation of musicians and equipping them with the tools for growth.

Currently pursuing a master’s degree at Southern Methodist University, Colin studies with Dallas Symphony principal bassoonist Ted Soluri and performs with various SMU ensembles. He is an avid chamber musician and has a strong passion for academic research.

As a Teaching Artist, Colin previously worked with the Dallas Symphony’s Young Musicians program, an El Sistema-inspired afterschool orchestra. Through this role, he also participated in the Teaching Artist Training Institute’s Lab Cohort and Regional Seminar. His private studio draws students from Plano and Lovejoy ISDs, and he regularly gives masterclasses throughout the DFW area.

Colin serves on the board of Mélange Musical, a chamber music non-profit based in Grapevine, Texas. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of North Texas under Kathleen Reynolds and Darrel Hale. In addition to performing, Colin is a passionate composer, having premiered a variety of chamber works and solo pieces for bassoon. He also continues to pursue conducting, having studied with faculty at UNT and participated in Miguel Harth-Bedoya’s Conducting Institute.

Outside of music, Colin enjoys playing basketball, cooking, and spending time in nature with his wife, Lisa, and their dog, Zara.