Dr. Blaire K.S. Koerner is an accomplished bassoonist, educator, and career advisor.  

As a bassoonist, Dr. Koerner is a founding member of Hats + Heels Duo, a quirky ensemble of bassoon and harp that aim to engage audiences through the universal intrigue of an entertaining story. Their innovative performances are infused with a variety of art forms and technology that weave colorful tales ranging from comedic to heart-wrenching, educational to ludicrous, and exploratory to enlightening. Aiming to expand the repertoire for bassoon and harp, H+H has commissioned over 13 new works, often incorporating elements beyond the musical realm. Their 2022 album Women Are… includes all new repertoire by women-identifying composers and celebrates the 100th Anniversary of  the 19th Amendment. The duo have been featured artists at higher education institutions around the United States including Eastman School of Music, University of Oregon, and Florida State University, as well as internationally at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire & TU Dublin Conservatoire.   

As an educator, Dr. Koerner has over 15 years of experience as a studio professor and classroom instructor. Currently, Dr. Koerner is an adjunct instructor of Arts Leadership at Eastman School of Music where she oversees undergraduate and graduate courses on building strategies for performance, designing a music career, and supporting Master of Arts in Music Leadership capstone projects. As a studio professor, she was the adjunct bassoon instructor for Syracuse University’s (SU) Setnor School of Music from 2018-2025. While at SU, she doubled the size of the studio, overhauled the reed room, and took the studio to attend the Glickman-Popkin Bassoon Camp in North Carolina. From 2016-2024, Dr. Koerner was the bassoon instructor and woodwind chamber coach at Eastman Community Music School (ECMS). A key component across all of Dr. Koerner’s teaching is to build self-sufficiency and independence in her students. A firm believer in a growth mindset, she strives to give her students the skills necessary to become their own teachers. 

As the Associate Director of the Institute for Music Leadership (IML) at Eastman School of Music, Dr. Blaire Koerner’s mission is to provide resources and opportunities for creatives to envision, create and sustain successful careers in an ever-changing field. In this role, Dr. Koerner oversees the Catherine Filene Shouse Arts Leadership Certificate of Achievement, IML curriculum of 25+ courses, and partnerships with 50+ organizations which regularly host Eastman interns. In addition, she advises graduate students and young alums on discovering professional and artistic goals. To support the growth of music leadership research and curriculum in higher education, Dr. Koerner joined the board of Society for Arts Entrepreneurship Education in 2024. Dr. Koerner received the Linda Muise Staff award in 2025 by the Eastman School of Music, which recognizes individuals whose dedication and hard work make a lasting impact on the community. 

Dr. Koerner completed her DMA and M.M. at the Eastman School of Music in Bassoon Performance. She also holds a M.Ed in Elementary Education and B.S. in Bassoon Performance from Hofstra University. 

An old soul, Dr. Koerner can be found enjoying classic hobbies – gardening, antiquing, crocheting, and cuddling with her cat Orzo. She is also known for her ever-growing collection of hats, a slight obsession of hers.