Poppy Webb-Taylor: Oboist
Poppy Webb-Taylor is a London-based oboist and cor anglais player with a First Class Honours degree and a Master of Performance from the prestigious Royal College of Music (RCM). A dedicated and passionate musician, she has performed extensively with numerous ensembles and orchestras across the UK and internationally.
Poppy’s musical journey began at the age of three with the violin. Her path led her to become an oboe specialist at Wells Cathedral School, where her passion for the instrument flourished. While there, she gained valuable experience by touring Hong Kong with a wind quintet.
Her formal education continued at the Royal College of Music, where she studied under prominent teachers such as Juliana Koch and Rosie Jenkins, gaining a First in her Bachelor of Music. She then continued her studies there gaining a Masters in Performance including a semester in Cologne, Germany at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln. During her Master’s, Poppy’s exceptional talent was recognized when she won the cor anglais solo for Copland’s Quiet City with the RCM Philharmonic Orchestra.
After her studies, Poppy became a member of Sinfonia Smith Square where she enjoyed performing in various London venues and touring Italy. A highlight was performing at the Royal Albert Hall for the CBBC Proms concert.
Experience & Projects
Poppy has gained extensive performance experience, playing with ensembles such as the 97 Ensemble and St Paul’s Sinfonia. She was also a founding member of the Albert Quintet, a chamber group formed with fellow RCM students. In a notable performance during the 2020 lockdown, the quintet gained attention with their #QuaranQuintoot series, which featured a spirited performance of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons theme tune. In 2024 she gained a place in Sinfonia Smith Square, an orchestra that supports emerging professional classical musicians.
Her dedication to music extends beyond her performance, with Poppy having participated in masterclasses with internationally renowned players, including Jacques Tys and Elaine Douvas.