Well I learnt the oboe in my youth and then abandoned it in favour of guitars and trendy modern folk.

When I wanted to sell my oboe to buy a bazouki, I just couldn't quite do it. So I dusted it off and started playing again with the band. Then I explored related instruments and got myself one of the last decent bombardes from hobgoblin. I went on to get 2 shawms from Eric Moulder, and all my recordings have included double reeds in various forms. And (though I say it myself) they are all the more brilliant for it.

So please encourage your friend to use the skills she has to play traditional music. Look beyond what is common or 'in' to what makes the music work. Why abandon all that learning and practice to 'fit in'?

I can promise from experience that turning up to a session with an instrument I can play and that I love is a million times more welcome than yet another guitar or fiddle played adequately or badly.

Oboes are great. Lots of us play them and their cousins in a folk context. Why shouldn't your friend.