The Long Musical Career of Pat O’Scannell

It was 35 years ago that a young Pat O’Scannell arrived in Ashland to work for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival as an instrumentalist specializing in early woodwinds and reeds, also doubling as a vocalist and on viola da gamba. Today, she continues her career as a freelance musician and teacher.
“I specialize in coaching and teaching early and traditional styles, as well as performing and creating programs in those styles,” Pat said. “The main instruments that I teach, in addition to the voice, are recorders and other fipple flutes, early double reeds, and viola da gamba. I am fluent in traditional Irish music as well, and teach the tin whistle and skills related to singing and the performance of Celtic music.”
Pat grew up in Riverside, California, and her parents, who were from Brooklyn, were avid theater-goers.
“I began a simultaneous love affair with theater, acting in my first play at age 11,” Pat said. “I began attending the University of California-Riverside (UCR) as a sophomore in high school, where I switched from a double major (theater/music) to music. The UCR theater department is where the Festival’s Jerry Turner had taught acting for many years. My parents never forgave me for giving up acting, but I know the chose the right road for me.”
Pat teaches from her studio on Logan Drive, where she lives with her husband, a computer specialist from London, England, and five pets.
“My studio houses a large collection of early European instruments,” she said. “I’m also affiliated with the Rogue World Ensemble, and have taught through SOU in many different programs and capacities, including founding my own Collegium Musicum program and serving as adjunct faculty from 2004-2007.”
While Pat continues to perform locally, teaching is her main passion these days. “I give my students the tools to pursue their musical aspirations with an underpinning of sound building blocks in technique,” she said. “For singers and wind players alike, I call attention to the issues of deep belly breathing, to support, and to giving rise to natural and unforced sounds based on the exploration of resonance by creating a buzz.”
Pat can also record sessions and put them on discs for students, and can make practice CDs, suggest books and other enrichment materials, find musical examples, and serve as a conduit to other musicians in the community.
For more info, Pat’s phone number is 541-482-9757 or go to patoscannell.weebly.com.

Changes at Winchester Inn/Alchemy

There have been a lot of changes at the Winchester Inn (35 S. 2nd Street) the last couple of years. First, the restaurant officially changed its name to Alchemy Restaurant two years ago, and second, Drew Gibbs joined his parents, Michael and Laurie, as a full partner in the business.
“Both of my parents have extensive restaurant backgrounds,” Drew said. “When they first started the business in 1983, it was with one of my dad’s brothers and his wife. My aunt and uncle were the ones who brought the lodging side forward, before they were bought out.”
The lodging side is a boutique inn of twenty rooms, which Sunset magazine called “one of the West’s best small inns.” It ranks among the finest hotels and lodging that Ashland has to offer. “Exceptional service with an eye toward details is our mission,” Drew said. “Many of our long-time guests and regulars frequently tell us how joining us is like finding a second home.”
Drew said he was always “a little dubious” about continuing the family business, but it wasn’t until he was exposed to the diverse wine world that he found a niche and passion that he could apply to work.
“In 2009 I attended the Culinary Institute of America in Napa, California, and finished the program as a Certified Wine Professional,” he said. “Not content, I studied up and went through the Court of Master Sommeliers to attain my current certification. I’m actually one of the only Certified Sommeliers working in the Valley.”
A few years ago, the restaurant employed the talents of Chef Billy Buscher, who previously won Top Chef at the Ashland Culinary Festival. Drew’s sister, Cate, is the Restaurant Manager.
“Billy has a growing reputation for taking serious pride in his work while still being able to offer flexibility to all our diner’s needs,” Drew said. “Two years ago, we completely renovated the restaurant and changed its name. We felt that between the culinary excellence of Chef Billy, and our ever-growing and changing wine and cocktail programs, the restaurant had earned its own identity.”
Alchemy sells all of the wines on their list. “We offer customers 30% off our list price,” Drew said. “I regularly put together cases of wine for my regulars. And if we don’t have what you’re looking for, we’re happy to find it.”
For more info, call 541-488-1113 or go to thewinchesterinn.com.