Melissa Morales is a clarinetist and educator originally from the Greater New Orleans area currently serving as a doctoral student at the University of Maryland under the tutelage of professor Robert DiLutis. She is currently the artist in residence at Collington Continuing Care Retirement Community in Bowie, Maryland. She has served as the clarinetist for the Washington D.C chamber music collective Potomac Winds since 2016. The ensemble served as artists in residence in Talbot County for the 2017-2018 academic year, curated a concert series with Robert Harper Books in the fall of 2017, performed as part of the Riverdale Chamber Music Society, National Music Festival - Resonance Chamber Series, and was invited to perform at Forum Cultural Guanajuato in Leon City, Mexico. Morales currently serves as second clarinet with the Apollo Orchestra. She has performed at the Kennedy Center in DC and Symphony Center in Chicago.
From 2016-2018, Morales served as the Clarinet Graduate Assistant and currently serves as the School of Music Liason for The Clarice Performing Arts Center. As a clarinet GA she taught all music minors and the noontime recital hour for the winds and percussion division, maintained the studio library, assisted with entrance auditions, and managed the 2016 UMD Clarinet Symposium. At The Clarice she creates classroom materials to accompany K12 student programming, creates marketing materials for UMD student events, collects data to track audience cultivation, and serves as an event manager for several workshops and activities within the Artist Partner Program, including the National Orchestral Institute+Festival. For the festival she manages visiting artists, assists with donor events, and coordinates local family concerts, while also providing support for workshops and mentoring between festival attendees and local school aged performers. In her work for the Visiting Artist Series, she is currently helping curate a residency with Fifth House Ensemble that will span two seasons and engage several departments within The Clarice and UMD School of Music. Her work engages students within The Clarice, across campus, and in the community.
Prior to her time in Maryland, Morales spent several years in Chicago, IL where she worked with several organizations including The People's Music School as clarinet and music theory faculty as well as a project manager where she worked closely with Artistic Director and President Jennifer Matsuzawa, DePaul University where she served as an adjunct music education professor, and Chicago Symphonic Winds where she still works as the Director of Education. She was a regular member of the Chicago Summer Opera for their 2014-2016 seasons, and performed with the Lake Effect Clarinet Quartet for their 2015 season. In 2014 she was one of the winners of the 2014 Monroe Symphony League’s Marjorie Stricklin Emerging Artist Competition, and was a featured artist in the Trinity Presbyterian Young Artist Performance Series in New Orleans, LA. She has also served as an assistant editor for the International Clarinet Association’s annual conference ClarinetFest® since 2014. Her publications can be found in their quarterly journal, The Clarinet. Prior to her graduate and professional pursuits in Chicago, IL, Morales worked as a public school teacher in St. Tammany Parish from 2011-2013 while maintaining an active private studio and performing with groups such as the St. Luke's Chamber Orchestra, Five Reeds Trio, and soloing with several local band programs. Morales graduated with Distinction with her Masters from DePaul University in 2015, and Cum Laude from Louisiana State University in 2011 with her Bachelors in Music Education where she was also named the Chancellor’s School of Music Outstanding Student in 2008. Her musical mentors include Robert DiLutis, Julie DeRoche, Larry Combs, Wagner Campos, Stephen Williamson, Dr. James Byo, and Paul Frechou. When not working with her clarinet students at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, the university, her home studio, or managing the inventory for Lohff & Pfeiffer USA, LLC, she can be found enjoying one of DC’s fine coffee shops.
From 2016-2018, Morales served as the Clarinet Graduate Assistant and currently serves as the School of Music Liason for The Clarice Performing Arts Center. As a clarinet GA she taught all music minors and the noontime recital hour for the winds and percussion division, maintained the studio library, assisted with entrance auditions, and managed the 2016 UMD Clarinet Symposium. At The Clarice she creates classroom materials to accompany K12 student programming, creates marketing materials for UMD student events, collects data to track audience cultivation, and serves as an event manager for several workshops and activities within the Artist Partner Program, including the National Orchestral Institute+Festival. For the festival she manages visiting artists, assists with donor events, and coordinates local family concerts, while also providing support for workshops and mentoring between festival attendees and local school aged performers. In her work for the Visiting Artist Series, she is currently helping curate a residency with Fifth House Ensemble that will span two seasons and engage several departments within The Clarice and UMD School of Music. Her work engages students within The Clarice, across campus, and in the community.
Prior to her time in Maryland, Morales spent several years in Chicago, IL where she worked with several organizations including The People's Music School as clarinet and music theory faculty as well as a project manager where she worked closely with Artistic Director and President Jennifer Matsuzawa, DePaul University where she served as an adjunct music education professor, and Chicago Symphonic Winds where she still works as the Director of Education. She was a regular member of the Chicago Summer Opera for their 2014-2016 seasons, and performed with the Lake Effect Clarinet Quartet for their 2015 season. In 2014 she was one of the winners of the 2014 Monroe Symphony League’s Marjorie Stricklin Emerging Artist Competition, and was a featured artist in the Trinity Presbyterian Young Artist Performance Series in New Orleans, LA. She has also served as an assistant editor for the International Clarinet Association’s annual conference ClarinetFest® since 2014. Her publications can be found in their quarterly journal, The Clarinet. Prior to her graduate and professional pursuits in Chicago, IL, Morales worked as a public school teacher in St. Tammany Parish from 2011-2013 while maintaining an active private studio and performing with groups such as the St. Luke's Chamber Orchestra, Five Reeds Trio, and soloing with several local band programs. Morales graduated with Distinction with her Masters from DePaul University in 2015, and Cum Laude from Louisiana State University in 2011 with her Bachelors in Music Education where she was also named the Chancellor’s School of Music Outstanding Student in 2008. Her musical mentors include Robert DiLutis, Julie DeRoche, Larry Combs, Wagner Campos, Stephen Williamson, Dr. James Byo, and Paul Frechou. When not working with her clarinet students at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, the university, her home studio, or managing the inventory for Lohff & Pfeiffer USA, LLC, she can be found enjoying one of DC’s fine coffee shops.
Matt Rynes is a freelance musician and teacher working the greater Baltimore/ Washington D.C. area. Born and raised in Baltimore, his aim as a performer is to engage the greater Mid-Atlantic area through a variety of musical styles from classical, jazz and contemporary chamber music. He began his clarinet studies in high school and attended Towson University on scholarship to study with Marguerite Leven and Edward Palanker. While at Towson, he won the Peggy Freidman-Gordon and Lieberman prizes for outstanding soloist and performed on several side-by-side concerts with members of the United States Navy Band, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Towson University faculty. Matt then attended the University of Michigan for his masters working with Chad Burrow and Daniel Gilbert. His playing was often featured as a principal clarinetist in the University of Michigan’s Symphony Band under Michael Haithcock and as a member of the clarinet section of the Symphony Orchestra under Kenneth Kiesler and Christopher Lees. Matt’s bass clarinet playing can be heard prominently on the Symphony Orchestra’s world premiere recording of Darius Milhaud’s “L’Orestie d’Eshcyle” (the Oresteia of Aeschylus) which was nominated for the “Best Opera Performance” Grammy in 2015 (Naxos Records). He also performed in masterclasses with Anthony McGill, Michael Wayne, Shannon Schott, Greg Oaks and Cecilia Kang. Since graduating from the University of Michigan, Matt has been a regular member of the Baltimore classical music scene performing with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Hunt Valley Symphony Orchestra and Towson University New Music Ensemble. Matt’s dedication to working with composers and performing new music has allowed him to work with several important young composers in the area like John Haggerty, Douglas Buchanan and Ruby Fulton. In a recent collaboration, he performed with jazz saxophonist Ellery Eskelin in a chamber piece written by the composer and trumpeter Dave Ballou as a part of the Towson University Jazz Residency 2016. Matt is also an accomplished jazz saxophonist and has been fortunate to study and perform with several of the greatest musicians in jazz and improvised music today. Through the Towson University Jazz Residency, he performed with Drew Gress, John Hollenbeck, Gerald Cleaver, Craig Taborn and Wadada Leo Smith, Bobby Shew, Dennis DiBlasio and Tim Hagans. His saxophone teachers include Andrew Bishop, Tony Malaby, Ellery Eskelin and Darryl Brenzel.
Natalie Groom is currently clarinetist of Wavelength Winds, UMD's fellowship wind quintet. A freelance musician, business consultant, and private instructor, she is a doctoral student studying with Robert DiLutis at the University of Maryland. A recent concerto competition winner, she performed Louis Spohr’s Concerto No. 1 with the White Mountain Symphony Orchestra in April 2017. Other solo appearances include Leonard Bernstein’s Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs and Duke Ellington’s Tiger Rag. This summer, Ms. Groom was accepted to the Henri Selmer Clarinet Academy on a Selmer-sponsored scholarship of the highest award. She previously attended the Miami Music Festival and Orford Centre d’Arts on scholarship as an orchestral, opera, and chamber musician. Additionally, she has performed in masterclasses with artists such as Philippe Berrod, David Krakauer, and the Imani Winds and conducted clinics and masterclasses herself at local institutions. Ms. Groom was clarinetist of the Fred Fox Graduate Wind Quintet (2013 – 2015), a group which competed in the 2014 MTNA Chamber Music Division National Finals and the 2015 Plowman Chamber Competition Semi-Finals. The quintet also served as university ambassadors to China during a three-week tour across twelve cities. This ensemble was integral in the Fox family’s decision to bestow a $20 million endowment to the UA School of Music, and the quintet was featured in press releases and a TV interview centered on the gift. Ms. Groom filled the role of ensemble manager during that year. Ms. Groom earned her M.B.A. and M.M. from the University of Arizona and a B.M. and double minor in Jazz Studies and Entrepreneurship from Kent State University. She studied with Jerry Kirkbride, Dennis Nygren, Amitai Vardi, and Jackie Glazier. During this time she served as a substitute in the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and principal of numerous ensembles while teaching Business Communications, Rock and American Popular Music, Clarinet Studio, and Clarinet Choir. She has received many awards, including the UMD Quintet Fellowship, UA Quintet Fellowship, Lee T. Hanley Memorial Scholarship, Timothy Hay Clarinet Scholarship, Roy D. Metcalf Musicianship Award, second prize in the Intel Case Competition, and second prize in the 2012 Business Concept Competition. A recent graduate of the Eller College of Management, Ms. Groom’s focus was on market research and data analytics. At her new home in Maryland, she looks forward to combining her passion for music and business in ways that enable the industry to thrive.
Allison Satterwhite is a clarinetist and educator from Central Virginia, currently studying with Robert DiLutis in pursuit of a Master’s degree in Clarinet Performance. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from James Madison University, where her primary teachers included Janice L. Minor, Anastasia Christofakis, and Sarunas Jankauskas. While at James Madison, she performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and as the principal clarinetist of the Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra, most notably at the Collegiate Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Conference, the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Conference, and the Interharmony International Music Festival in Arcidosso, Italy. Her clarinet playing has been featured in the world premiere performances of Vicious Cycle and Meditation and Awakening (for Band) by Eric Guinivan, and Jetpack by Jason Haney. Allison was also a finalist in the 2015 James Madison University Concerto Competition with her performance of Aaron Copland’s Concerto for Clarinet and String Orchestra, as well as the winner of the school’s mock orchestral auditions in 2016. She is currently working as a graduate assistant with the University of Maryland Athletic Bands as well as conducting with the University of Maryland University Band.
Darien Williams is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Clarinet Performance, studying with Robert DiLutis, and earned his Bachelor's degree from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University. He started studying with Alcides Rodriguez, bass clarinetist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, in high school, and soon joined the Atlanta Symphony's Talent Development Program. He was invited to perform in Carnegie Hall, as second prize winner of the 2017 Golden Classical Music Awards International Competiton, and was also a finalist in the 2018 Orchestra Noir Medallion International Competition. Darien has performed with the Columbus Ballet (GA), and has twice attended the Brevard Music Center.
Howard Perry is a clarinetist from East Tennessee pursuing his Master's degree in Clarinet Performance and studying under Robert DiLutis. He earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee Knoxville studying under Dr. Victor Chavez. During his time at UT, he performed in many ensembles, including Symphony Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Contemporary Music Ensemble, and Marching Band. He premiered an opera titled Follow Suit by Griffin Candey with the Marble City Opera Company in March 2018. In 2016, he won Grand Prize in the River City Clarinet Fest in Chattanooga. Howard also worked part time in the School of Music auditorium as a sound and light technician. Mr. Perry aspires to become a professional orchestral musician.
Patrick Lill is a junior at the University of Maryland studying clarinet performance under Robert Dilutis. He was principal clarinet of the Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra for three years and has performed as a soloist with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. Patrick has played with the Maryland All-State Band and Montgomery County Band. He has been playing clarinet for ten years and does photography in his free time.
Clifford Hangarter is a sophomore clarinet performance major at the University of Maryland. He is currently studying under Professor Robert DiLutis. He is originally from Waldorf, Maryland. Clifford has been playing the clarinet for 8 years, and he studied under Takako Mato for 6 years. He served as the principal chair clarinetist in the North Point High School Symphonic Band, the North Point High School Orchestra, and the Charles County All-County Honor Band. He has also participated in the Maryland All-State Honor Band. Clifford was in charge of a clarinet choir for two years at North Point High School. Clifford has also taken up composing, as he has composed a two pieces for band, an orchestra symphony, and several chamber pieces. Clifford attended Clarinet Academy of America this summer, where he performed in masterclasses with D. Ray McClellan and Reis McCullough; he also had a lessons with D. Ray McClellan and David Drosinos during Clarinet Academy of America.
Maddie Ferguson, from Buffalo New York, is attending University of Maryland to study clarinet performance under Professor Robert DiLutis along with Political Science/International Studies. Maddie first picked up the clarinet at the age of nine and immediately fell in love. Prior to college, her primary teachers were Mr. Chris Izzo and Mr. Robert Lehner. She was also fortunate to spend time studying under John Fullam, Kenneth Grant, Paul Demers, and Will Amsel. Maddie participated in the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra for three years. One of the most memorable times in her life has been the week she spent touring Italy with the ensemble, playing in beautiful and historic churches and venues. Some of Maddie’s other musical accomplishments include winning the position of principal clarinet in both the New York All-State Symphony Orchestra and New York All-State Symphonic Band, being awarded the Buffalo Philharmonic Scholarship, being selected for the Interlochen Wind Ensemble Festival, and being selected to attend the Eastman Music Horizons Summer Festival. In essence, Maddie just goes all out for any and every opportunity which involves spending time with fellow musicians and her clarinet!
Kenny Wang is a sophomore from Ellicott City, Maryland. He has studied clarinet for 9 years, and graduated from Mount Hebron High School, where he enjoyed participating in wind ensembles, in addition to jazz bands, pit orchestras, and marching band. He studied privately with Lori Fowser, studied chamber music with Anita Thesen at the Peabody Preparatory, and played in many local ensembles such as the Peabody Youth Orchestra, Peabody Wind Orchestra, and Maryland All-State Band and Orchestra. He is part of the Gemstone Honors Program and also enjoys playing the saxophone.
Having been practicing clarinet for half of her life, Ashley Hsu is now a freshman music education/performance major studying under Robert DiLutis. Her pre-college music career consists of holding various positions in Maryland Classical Youth Orchestras, participating in All-County, All-State, All-Eastern and All-National Orchestra/Bands, and winning several competitions with her pianist Jeongseon Choi. You can blame her extensive list of music experiences and her passion for marching band for inspiring her to become a music educator and performer. On top of being a double music major at the University of Maryland, she is also part of the DCC Honors Program and a colorguard member of the Mighty Sound Of Maryland.
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Alex Gehring is a senior currently studying Clarinet Performance and Music Education at the University of Maryland. He studies with Robert DiLutis. In high school, Alex was a student of the Peabody Preparatory where he studied Clarinet with Nicole Papadatos and David Drosinos and composition with Judah Adashi. He also participated in All State ensembles and a side by side program with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. In college, Alex is active in the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, and Chamber Music. In fall of 2017, he advanced to the second round of the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition playing the Carl Nielsen Clarinet Concerto, and in 2018, placed 3rd in the winds and percussion division of the ENKOR international music competition with his performance of the Francis Poulenc Clarinet Sonata. Outside of music, Alex is involved in the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity where he serves as the community outreach chair.
Nathan Dorsey of Bowie, Maryland is a Seinor clarinet performance and music education major. Currently, he is studying under Robert DiLutis. Nathan began his musical instruction four years ago under Master Sergeant Frederick Vare of the United States Marine Band. Nathan attended high school at St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. While there, he was active in their string and choral programs, and served as principal clarinetist in the SJC wind ensemble, SJC orchestra, and SJC regimental band. Nathan also participated in the Catholic University high school honor band, the Washington Archdiocesan Music Teachers Council honor bands and honor orchestra, and the 2014 WorldStrides Festival of Gold honor band in Chicago.
Ella Misangyi is a junior studying clarinet performance under Robert DiLutis. She has been playing clarinet for 9 years, and graduated from the State College Area High School in State College, PA, where she was involved in the band, orchestra, and choral programs. She played in the PMEA All State Concert band in 2014, 2015, and 2016, and was a member of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra. Ella has served as the principal clarinetist in the SC High School Symphonic Band which competed at the WorldStrides Heritage Festival in Toronto in 2016. Playing tenor saxophone and clarinet, Ella has also performed with the SC Jazz Band throughout France, in the Jazz à Juan Festival in Nice, and Spain. Her senior year of high school, Ella taught lessons to multiple young clarinetists in the State College area.
Brooke Krauss is a sophomore from Cecil County, Maryland and attended went to North East High School. She is a double major in music education and clarinet performance. Brook is following in the footsteps of her private clarinet instructor, Mandy Maruchi-Turner, who is a graduate of the UMD School of Music with a degree in Music Education.
Kyle Glasgow is a sophomore clarinet performance major from Alexandria, Virginia, and is currently studying under Professor Robert DiLutis. Throughout high school, Kyle participated in the Virginia District X and All State bands. He was also a member of The Capitol Symphonic Youth Orchestra for three years, serving as principal for one. Kyle has studied at the Virginia Summer Residential Governor's School for Visual and Performing Arts and the Interlochen Center for the Arts. |
Andrew Zhang is a clarinetist from Rockville, Maryland currently attending University of Maryland to study clarinet performance with Professor Robert Dilutis as well as pursue a math major. He attended Richard Montgomery High School where he served as principal clarinet of the symphonic band and as a member of the pit orchestra. He also played principal clarinet with the Potomac Valley Youth Orchestra Wind Ensemble, as well as played in the section of Montgomery County's Senior Honors Band. Andrew is a graduate of UMD's High School Music Academy and University of Michigan's mPulse. In his free time, he likes to play alto sax.
My name is Adrian Paras. I am currently a freshman studying clarinet performance under Robert DiLutis. I am originally from Charles County, Waldorf Maryland. I have been playing the clarinet for 8 years and studied under Takako Mato for 6 years. I have taken part in the UMD High School Music Academy during the summer after my junior year in high school. I was the principal clarinetist for the St. Charles High School Symphonic Band, Charles County All-County/Tri-County band, and the Charles County Youth Orchestra. I also participated in the Maryland All-State band for five years.
