Jolene Buchholz, principal oboe, has been a member of the PEISO for over 40 years. She was recruited as a student musician while attending Mount Allison University, where she completed B. Mus and B. Ed degrees. She holds a Masters Degree in Music Performance from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. After graduating, Jolene taught junior high instrumental music in Halifax County. In 1992, she married and returned to the Annapolis Valley where she taught privately and subbed high school music.

In 1995, Jolene became conductor of the Annapolis Basin Community Band and remains director at present. She teaches an adult beginner band program every few years, where adults who have never played an instrument learn to play and after a year graduate to the Community Band.

Every summer in July, the Annapolis Basin Community Band hosts a BandFest weekend where community band musicians from all over the Maritimes congregate to form one big band and learn music under the direction of guest conductors. Other past teaching positions include oboe instructor at Acadia University School of Music.

In the past, Jolene has been a freelance oboist with various groups including Symphony Nova Scotia, Nova Sinfonia, Chebucto Symphony, and pit orchestra musician with the Charlottetown Festival. She currently plays with the Fundy Three, a newly formed trio of flute, oboe and piano and also accompanies various Annapolis Valley Choirs.

Jolene lives in Annapolis County with her family and recently became a very proud first-time grandmother!