It all started in New York City…
MKL Reeds was founded in 2001 by Maryn Leister in a small one-bedroom apartment in New York City. As a result of her skill and dedication, MKL Reeds thrived, providing exceptional reeds to oboists across the US and abroad. Twelve years and hundreds of reeds later, Maryn decided to pursue opportunities outside of the oboe world. In June of 2013, MKL reedmaker and professional oboist Laura Covey took over as owner.
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Covey began playing the oboe in 5th grade. By junior high she was already making her own reeds and working with very sharp knives. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance from the University of California at Irvine and Master of Music in Orchestral Performance at Manhattan School of Music. She studied under principal oboe teachers Bob Hubbard, Jonathan Davis, and Joseph Robinson.
As an active freelancer in New York City, Covey performed with renowned ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, American Symphony Orchestra, American Ballet Theater, and many Broadway shows. In 2017, she and her family moved to Northern Virginia, and she now operates MKL Reeds on a full-time basis. When she is away from the reed desk, Covey enjoys doing triathlons, reading, making lists, and being silly with her husband Jason and their two daughters.
A note from the owner
Laura Covey
It is a pleasure to be your provider of oboe reeds! The demand for quality reeds is great, and being able to meet that demand means having a team of reedmakers who are singleminded in our mission. MKL reedmakers have gone through a strict screening process and are committed to providing reliable, consistent, superior reeds for you, the discriminating oboist. We know the demands of the instrument, and we set the bar very high for ourselves because we know you expect and deserve the best. I am so proud to have this team of professional oboists on board to put the highest quality reeds in your hands.