Teresa Deskur performs music on horn and recorder from the Medieval to present day. She balances a love for early music with a zeal for performing contemporary and classical works, eager to highlight both music that teaches us about the past and celebrates current innovations.

Teresa started playing recorder at age 5, and never stopped! Most recently, Teresa took first prize in the University-Instrumental category of Boulder Bach Festival’s World Bach Competition. Her performance was featured on their YouTube channel and drew viewers from around the world. In 2016, she won Philadelphia based Renaissance band Piffaro’s National Recorder Competition and appeared as a guest performer with the group in March 2017. She performs regularly with the IEMF Festival Band, Peabody Consort, and Baltimore Baroque Band, and in February 2020 played with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society. She frequently enjoys duet recitals with Peabody colleague and collaborator Sarah Shodja.

In 2021, Teresa appeared at the Indianapolis Early Music Festival, performing with the IEM Festival Band on its "Marginalia" program. Teresa has also given recitals at the Boston Early Music Festival in 2017 and 2019 and joined the Peabody Renaissance Chamber Ensemble at the 2019 Bloomington Early Music Festival. She performed in recorder masterclasses with Stefan Temmingh, Reine-Marie Verhagen, Debra Nagy, Erik Bosgraaf and Saskia Coolen.

Teresa began her horn studies in 5th grade band and fell in love with its warm, expressive sound that fits any genre from orchestral to pop. On horn, she has performed with a diverse range of ensembles, including the Peabody Symphony, Studio, Modern, and Chamber Orchestras, Peabody Wind Ensemble, and Great Lakes Wind Symphony. Teresa also performed in horn masterclasses with Frank Lloyd, James Nickel, David Byrd-Marrow, and James Sommerville.

As an educator and advocate for making music accessible and equitable, Teresa is passionate about community outreach. She frequently performs at elder care facilities, youth programs, and in healthcare settings. Along with her Peabody colleague Sarah Shoja, Teresa is a co-founder of the Fanfare Youth Recorder Club, which brings together middle and high school recorder players from around the world to connect virtually and learn from one another. She is a member of Early Music America’s Emerging Professional Leadership Committee as well as EMA’s Development Committee, and is currently on the board for the Future in Music Mentorship Program. She earned her Girl Scout Gold Award providing recorder education resources for public school general music teachers and students, including interactive programs, videos, and method books.

Teresa received her bachelor’s in Horn Performance and Music Education with a minor in Historical Performance at Peabody Conservatory, where she studied with Wei-Ping Chou and Gwyn Roberts. She currently directs concert and jazz bands at Owego-Apalachin Middle School in Owego, NY.

Teresa will be on faculty for both weeks of the 2025 Amherst Early Music Festival.