About

Our History

From Duo to Trio!

Oasis Ensemble was originally conceived as a Flute and Cello Duo in 2022. These two instruments together offer a gorgeous, wide range of colors, dynamics and articulation, however, very few composers extensively explored this combination. This led us on a mission to expand both the duo repertoire and ultimately, let us to expand our ensemble to include a pianist!

In 2023, the Oasis Ensemble officially became a flute, cello, piano trio. This significantly increased the range and scope of available repertoire. Over time, we uncovered some little-known pieces that truly deserve inclusion alongside the existing chamber music masterworks. Continuing our mission to present as many great compositions as possible, we began collaborating with living composers and commissioned quite a few brand-new works. In April, 2025, we established our first “Oasis Ensemble Call for Scores Competition” which generated a huge response from around the world! We have been impressed by the scope and talent of many of the composers who submitted works to us, and feel very blessed to be able to offer quality performances of their works and sharing these works with our communities. It is our hope to offer future competitions, not only for established international composers but also for young composers, to encourage their development and awareness of the potential beauty of trio repertoire for flute, cello and piano.

In the last several years we have performed over 50 different works including 11 premieres. We balance our programs of well known pieces with new ones and obscure ones, including pieces composed specifically for flute, cello and piano as well as pieces that were originally composed for violin, cello and piano which work well with our instrumentation. Who knew that Felix Mendelssohn, himself, transcribed his famous Violin, Cello and Piano Trio #1, for Flute, Cello and Piano! That has been one of our delightful discoveries. And, we have found some other hidden gems in the process. One of which is a gorgeous trio by French composer, Marc Delmas. This work appears to have never been recorded and may have never been performed previously! It is our hope to record this piece along with many of the new works that have been specifically composed for us.

The Oasis Ensemble is a designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

MEET THE –

Ensemble Members

Dawn Weiss, Flute

DAWN WEISS, award-winning flutist, is a versatile solo, chamber and orchestral musician. She served as Principal Flute of the Oregon Symphony for 25 years, and previously as Principal Flute of the Mexico State Symphony Orchestra in Toluca, Mexico, and Second Flute of the Miami Philharmonic. As a soloist, Ms. Weiss performed concertos with the Oregon Symphony, Vancouver Symphony (WA), Pasadena Symphony, Los Angeles Doctors Symphony, Oregon Mozart Players, Yaquina Chamber Orchestra, Colors of the Baroque Chamber Orchestra, Sunnyside Symphony, and Chamber Music Northwest, among others. She concertized internationally and nationally in Bolivia, Costa Rica, Italy, Mexico, Peru, California, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Music critics have called her work “exquisite,” “imaginative, polished, and memorable.” As a chamber musician, Ms. Weiss performed and recorded the highly critically acclaimed solo and chamber music album “The Weiss Family Woodwinds” with her brothers, David Weiss (Oboist) and Abraham Weiss (Bassoonist). She also performed and recorded with “Trillium Winds”, (a flute, oboe and piano trio), and with “Michael Allen Harrison and Friends”, and she produced and performed the well-received multimedia video of Piazzolla’s “Histoire du Tango: Bordel” with guitarist John Mery and tango dancers. Ms. Weiss served as adjunct flute professor at several Portland, Oregon colleges and taught several summers for Flute Alliance: “Flute Boot Camps.” She now resides in Eugene, where she teaches a limited number of private students. For more information, please visit: http://www.dawnweiss.com.

Austin, Bennett Cello

Cellist Austin Bennett originally hails from Bend, Oregon. He recently graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in cello performance at the University of Oregon, where he was a graduate employee in teaching and performing. As a performer, he held a position in the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra for two seasons and more recently in the Eugene Symphony. While pursuing his master’s at Florida State University (FSU), Austin was a member of the Eppes String Quartet and principal cellist of the FSU Symphony Orchestra. With the FSU Symphony Orchestra, Austin recorded Ernő Dohnányi’s Second Symphony and the premiere recording of his Two Songs featuring baritone Evan Jones for Naxos Records. Recently, he has played with the Oregon Mozart Players, the Eugene Concert Choir Orchestra, and Orchestra Next as an orchestra fellow. Austin serves on the board of the Columbia River Chamber Music Festival in Longview, WA and is also a resident artist of the festival. Austin received his Master of Music from Florida State University where he studied with Gregory Sauer and his Bachelor of Music from the University of Oregon with Steven Pologe. In addition to his training on the cello, Austin received a second master’s degree in music theory while completing his doctorate.

Tung Nguyen, Piano

Dr. Tung Nguyen has taught piano for over ten years to students of all ages and levels. He
holds a DMA degree in Piano Performance and a concurrent master’s degree in
Collaborative Piano, specializing in Historical Performance Practice and Piano Pedagogy
at the University of Oregon. Before coming to the US, Tung received his undergraduate
and master’s degrees in piano performance from the Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary.
Tung has performed in numerous concerts in Europe and Oregon as a soloist and
collaborative pianist. He is the laureate of national and international piano competitions,
notably the Barletta International Music Competition in Italy and the MTNA Young Artist
Competition in Oregon and the Northwest region.

Tung’s musical journey is not limited to solo performances. He has also collaborated with
major orchestras and ensembles in Eugene and Oregon, including the Oregon Bach
Festival, Oregon Mozart Players, Eugene Symphony, Oregon Bach Collegium, and all the
major ensembles at the University of Oregon. His repertoire spans from the Baroque era to
Contemporary music, showcasing his versatility and adaptability as a musician.