C. Keith Collins

C. Keith Collins is a specialist in early woodwinds and performance practice. He holds the first doctorate in historical bassoon, which he earned at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music’s Historical Performance Institute. Keith has performed or recorded with many of North America’s leading period instrument ensembles including Tafelmusik, Washington Bach Consort, Bach Collegium, Apollo’s Fire, and Boston Baroque. In addition to his bassoons, Keith owns one of the very few baroque contrabassoons in the Americas. It is 9 ft. tall. As a member of the Renaissance wind band Forgotten Clefs, he plays shawm, dulcian, recorder, and harp. He is a founding member of Heartland Baroque, a chamber ensemble specializing in the music of the 17th and 18th centuries; their first recording was released in 2022. In 2025 his interest in the Irish wire-strung harp led him to co-curate for that ensemble a program of music by blind 18th century Irish harper Turlough O’Carolan; Keith’s harp is a copy of a 17th century original strung in silver and brass. Keith is adjunct lecturer at his alma mater IU where he teaches historical bassoon and classical performance practice. He teaches clawhammer banjo of his Appalachian homeland from his residence in Nashville, Indiana.