“I’ve been working for years to find a mouthpiece that provides balance in all aspects of playing, while remaining comfortable and responsive. I’ve always admired the tone produced by players using the Classic 30H, but never felt comfortable with the rim. With this signature model I have found the “sweet spot” for my all-around playing needs.”

About Chris Olka

Chris Olka has held orchestra positions in Cincinnati Symphony, Pops, Opera and Ballet, as well as Seattle Symphony and Opera. His other orchestral experience includes Principal Tuba of Gerard Schwarz’s All-Star Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa’s Saito Kinen Festival Orchestra, Guest Principal Tuba with the Boston and Chicago Symphonies, New York Philharmonic, and National Orchestra of Spain.

From 1989 to 1999, Chris was an active freelancer working as staff musician in the Walt Disney World bands in Florida and brass quintets, dixieland bands, and most of the major orchestras in the New York area while completing his Masters degree at The Juilliard School.

An active soloist and advocate of solo tuba literature, Chris has performed around the world in recital and masterclass in addition to numerous orchestra, brass band, and wind ensemble solo appearances. His premiere of the Samuel Jones Concerto for Tuba, recorded with the Seattle Symphony, can be heard on the Naxos label.

A pioneer in the use of internet and social media to reach new audiences, Chris started a YouTube channel in 2011 dedicated to education, product reviews, and all things tuba-related. His channel has thousands of subscribers and hundreds of thousands of views from around the globe. His website, chrisolka.com also hosts these videos along with a growing catalog of transcriptions of music arranged for solo tuba.

His teachers include Warren Deck, Joe Alessi, Abe Torchinsky, and Don Harwood.

Chris is proud to be a Laskey Mouthpieces and Eastman Winds Performing Artist.