The Royal Winds

Jennifer Szabo, flute | Bryn Elliott, oboe | Emily Kerski, clarinet

The Royal Winds is a vibrant woodwind trio bringing fresh energy and artistry to the DMV music scene. Formed by three accomplished freelance musicians—Jennifer Szabo (flute), Bryn Elliott (oboe), and Emily Kerski (clarinet)—the group is committed to enriching lives and encouraging creativity through unique and heartfelt performances. United by deep friendship and passion for chamber music, the ensemble blends artistic excellence with personal warmth. The Royal Winds bring elegance and a touch of fun to every performance, with repertoire spanning from refined Classical-era trios to evocative modern works and bespoke arrangements, making them an ideal choice for recitals, worship services, weddings, private events, and community concerts. Through dynamic programs, collaborative spirit, and authentic storytelling, The Royal Winds invites listeners into moments of beauty, reflection, and joy—encouraging audiences to engage more fully with music, with each other, and with their own journeys.

For booking inquiries or to learn more, please contact us—we’d love to make your event special.

Who we are…

Jennifer Szabo

Jennifer Szabo is a dynamic flutist and piccolo player, acclaimed for her versatility and artistry as an orchestral musician, chamber artist, and soloist. She currently serves as Piccolo/Third Flute with the Northern Neck Orchestra and is frequently engaged by ensembles including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Washington Opera Society, American Pops Orchestra, American Contemporary Classical Orchestra, and Opera Comique de Washington. Jennifer has appeared with the National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic as a fellow and during two consecutive seasons with the Adirondack Performing Arts Fellowship. As a soloist, she has been featured with the Adelphi University Symphony Orchestra and the National Concert Band.

Her artistry has been recognized in national competitions, earning distinction in the Young Artist Competitions of the New York Flute Club, the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” and the Flute Society of Washington, including 2nd Prize in the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention Young Artist Competition.

Jennifer holds degrees in Flute Performance from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College and George Mason University, where she is currently pursuing her Doctorate. She has also served on the Board of Directors of the New York Flute Club.

Outside of her musical endeavors, Jennifer enjoys hiking, developing her cookbook, drinking coffee, and indulging her love of literature. She resides in Alexandria, VA, with her husband, David, first tenor in the U.S. Army Chorus, “Pershing’s Own.”

Bryn Elliott

Bryn Elliott, oboist and educator, exemplifies versatility and transcends barriers as a musician through diversified solo, chamber, and orchestral experiences. Her desire is to make music that inspires others to pursue a deeply fulfilling creative life. Bryn is a highly sought-after freelance artist in the greater Washington, D.C., Richmond, Baltimore, and Greenville areas. She will also be taking on the role of Music Teacher at Immanuel Lutheran School in the fall.

As winner of the National Young Artist Solo Competition, she was honored to perform as soloist with the U.S. Army Field Band in April 2019. She has also performed as soloist with the Masterworks Festival Orchestra, Clemson Symphony Orchestra, Greenville County Youth Orchestras, and other various ensembles. In addition to concerti, Bryn enjoys programming and performing solo recitals, playing both oboe and English horn.

Devotion to orchestral and large ensembles reinforces Bryn’s love of collaboration. She has performed as the oboist of the Sing! Getty music conference in Nashville, TN for several years. She also performed Principal Oboe alongside David Chan, (The Metropolitan Opera, Concertmaster), Scott Pingel (San Francisco Symphony, Principal Bass), Anne Martindale Williams (Pittsburgh Symphony, Principal Cello), and others during a unique presentation of Handel’s Messiah in Chester Spring, PA. Spring 2025 performances included playing with the Fairfax and Richmond Choral Societies and Principal Oboe of the Peabody Conservatory Symphony Orchestra and Peabody Wind Ensemble. The Royal Winds, a woodwind trio of which Bryn is a member, made their debut in the DMV music scene in May 2025. In July 2025, she attended the invitation-based New Ground Orchestra Festival, a place that creates moments for professional female musicians to gather and enjoy opportunities to rehearse and perform, interwoven with time to experience rest, good nutrition, supportive conversations, and giving back to the community.

Bryn grew up in Greer, SC and completed her graduate studies in May 2025 at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, MD, studying with Nicholas Stovall, Melissa Hooper, and Jane Marvine. In May 2023 she graduated with a degree in oboe performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, IN, studying with Linda Strommen and Roger Roe. Bryn also received a Certificate in Music Entrepreneurship from the IU Kelley School of Business. In her free time, Bryn enjoys playing piano and singing, serving at her church, teaching reed making, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. She stays active in community service through music and student ministries. She resides in Alexandria, VA with her husband and pianist Ben, the Director of Music Ministries at Alexandria Presbyterian Church.

Emily Kerski

Clarinetist Emily Kerski is a member of the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own," and a dedicated freelance performer and teacher throughout Northern Virginia. Since joining the Army Band in 2019, she has performed as a regular member of the Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra and Virginia Grand Military Band, and as guest principal clarinet of the Northern Neck Orchestra. In addition to her passion for collaborative ensemble work, Emily enjoys serving as a church musician and teaching her private clarinet studio. A longtime active member of the International Clarinet Association, she currently serves as associate editor of The Clarinet quarterly journal.

Prior to her Army Band appointment, Emily was a faculty member of The People's Music School, the DePaul Community Music Division, and an associate member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. She was also a founding faculty member of the Junior Lift Clarinet Academy (Fort Collins, Colorado).

Emily earned a Master of Music degree with distinction from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Music summa cum laude at Colorado State University, studying with Julie DeRoche, Larry Combs, and Wesley Ferreira. She completed additional studies at the Royal Academy of Music with Angela Malsbury. During her year in London, she performed with the All Souls Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall and throughout the UK on their 2015 tour. An avid proponent of contemporary music, she performed as a Sinfonia Fellow at the 2017 soundSCAPE Composition and Performance Exchange in Maccagno, Italy, and co-founded the Modern Reeds contemporary recital series in Chicago, dedicated to the promotion and performance of chamber repertoire by emerging composers.