Benjamin Atherholt is the Operations Manager for Tulane Bands and serves as the bassoon instructor at Tulane University. An accomplished educator, administrator, and performer, he brings more than two decades of experience in higher education, professional orchestral performance, and arts leadership. 

Atherholt has been the contrabassoonist of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra since 2015 and served as the assistant principal bassoonist and contrabassoonist of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra from 2006 to 2023. As a freelance musician, he has performed and recorded with leading orchestras, including the Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Houston, and National symphonies. 

In addition to his performance career, Atherholt has held teaching positions at Loyola University New Orleans, the University of Tennessee, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, he has dedicated himself to developing the next generation of musicians through teaching, mentorship, and arranging music for community and educational ensembles. As Operations Manager, he is committed to fostering a program where every musician can grow, belong, and thrive.