CURRENT STUDENTS
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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. |
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Natalie Groom is a freelance clarinetist in Washington, D.C. and substitute clarinetist of the Annapolis Symphony and Annapolis Opera. She is the artist-in-residence at Collington Retirement Community, a Junior Board member of Washington Performing Arts, and a volunteer for the Institute for Composer Diversity. This year she performed a joint concert with the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet, won a residency at Avaloch Farm Music Institute, and opened for the National Symphony Orchestra.
Natalie was a featured soloist with the White Mountain Symphony Orchestra and has performed at The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, New World Center, The Anthem, The Phillips Collection, and Goethe-Institut, among many other venues. Her festival and conference performances include Women Composers Festival of Hartford, Darkwater Women in Music, Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival, Clarinetfest 2018 in Belgium, Henri Selmer Clarinet Academy, Miami Music Festival, Orford Centre d’Arts, and an outreach concert at Anacostia High School opening for Yo-Yo Ma and Esperanza Spalding. A teacher, conductor, and academic, she has led the New Horizons clarinet choir and taught Rock and American Popular Music, Business Communications, and clarinet/saxophone lessons for Music for Life, Tucson Summer Music, Music & Arts, and The Gregory School. She has published two event reports in the International Clarinet Association journal. In 2018, she and soprano Jennifer Piazza-Pick founded Whistling Hens, a chamber music ensemble which celebrates and advances the artistic accomplishments of women by performing and commissioning all female-composed music. Their work invites listeners to reflect on the impact male privilege has had on traditional music programming, question the status quo of gender inequality in the classical music community, and engage with music by women of various backgrounds. Natalie is clarinetist of Classically Dope, a hip-hop/rap and classical music collaboration with D.C. rapper Konshens the MC. Using music as an instrument of positive social influence, this ensemble tackles subjects such as the power of belief, racial inequality, stereotypes, police brutality, and being a change agent in the world. She also composes/arranges music for Classically Dope. Specializing in chamber music, Natalie was a fellowship wind quintet member of Wavelength Winds and the Fred Fox Wind Quintet. In her tenure, she toured China for a month, created a classical music video in collaboration with Avant Projekts, recorded two albums, and was integral in securing a $20 million donation to the Fred Fox School of Music. Natalie Groom earns her D.M.A. at the University of Maryland (graduating 2020), M.B.A. and M.M. at the University of Arizona, and B.M. at Kent State University where she studied with Robert DiLutis, Jerry Kirkbride, Dennis Nygren, Amitai Vardi, Jackie Glazier, and Joseph Minocchi. |
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Michael Casto is currently a member of University of Maryland Fellowship Quintet, Oculus V. As an orchestral musician, Michael has served as the Second Clarinetist and Solo E-flat Clarinetist with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, he has performed with the New World Symphony, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, and the Capital City Symphony. Michael has also performed around the world making his Carnegie Hall debut in 2016, and his debut in the Seoul National Arts Center in 2015.
Having established his roots in Maryland, Michael serves as an active teacher and performer in the Washington DC and Baltimore Area. Michael holds a private studio, where his students regularly obtain superior ratings at County and State Solo and Ensemble Festivals. Michael is a current DMA student at the University of Maryland studying with Robert DiLutis. Michael also holds his Master’s Degree from Indiana University as a student of Eli Eban, and his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maryland under the direction of Paul Cigan. |
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Darien Williams is currently studying with Robert Dilutis as a master's student, and completed his bachelor's at Columbus State University. Darien made his recital debut in Carnegie Hall, as Second prize winner of the Golden Classical Music Awards, and was a also a finalist in the Orchestra Noir Competition. Darien has attended the Brevard Music Center and Clarinet Academy of America.
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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.
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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.
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Clifford Hangarter is a senior clarinet performance and music education double 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 11 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. He is currently a member of the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra, for which he has played bass clarinet, principal, and assistant principal parts. He also played bass clarinet in the Maryland Opera Studio’s production of Kurt Weill’s Street Scene. 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 has twice attended Clarinet Academy of America, where he performed in masterclasses with D. Ray McClellan and Reis McCullough. He has also taken masterclasses from other renowned clarinetists, such as Julia Heinen and Steve Cohen. Clifford has also helped out with New Horizons, a clarinet group for adults over 50, by teaching private lessons.
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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!
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Kenny Wang is a sophomore from Ellicott City, Maryland. He has studied clarinet for 10 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 clarinet as well as saxophone in the past with Lori Fowser, as well as in the Peabody Preparatory. He played in many local youth ensembles such as the Peabody Youth Orchestra, Peabody Wind Orchestra, and Maryland All-State Band and Orchestra. On campus he is also part of the Honors College, and the Taiwanese American Student Association
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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.
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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.
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Ella Misangyi is a senior studying clarinet performance with Robert DiLutis. Originally from State College, PA, she has been playing clarinet for over ten years. Prior to college, she studied with Dr. Anthony Costa, Anthony Poehailos, and Janey Martinsen from the Pennsylvania State University and was a member of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra. Ella has toured France and Spain with the State College jazz band playing tenor saxophone and clarinet in several festivals, including the Jazz à Juan Festival in Nice. She also won the Maestro Award for a solo in the WorldStrides Heritage Festival in New York, NY in 2016. In addition to currently being a member of the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, and chamber ensembles, Ella has played with the Capital City Symphony, and also enjoys performing in pit orchestras. Recently, she played clarinet and alto saxophone in a professional production of Cabaret in the Philadelphia area. This year, Ella and pianist Luisa Mei Bressan released an exploratory electronic and improvisational album on Spotify called Születé Snap. The album was made using clarinet, piano, and body to create a variety of mystical musical soundscapes, and is paired with archive films. Ella wants to continue to explore all the ways clarinet can be enjoyed and purposed in a modern musical career.
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Alexander Dudkin is a 3rd year student from Silver Spring, Maryland studying Clarinet Performance and Music Education under Robert DiLutis. Throughout high school he participated in Montgomery County senior honors band, Maryland All state band, and was the principal clarinetist for The Capitol Symphony Youth Orchestra for 2 years.Throughout his collegiate career, he has been a part of The University of Maryland, Baltimore County symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, jazz band, and pep band. At the University of Maryland, he is currently a part of the University of Maryland Wind Ensemble, and the marching band. In his free time, he loves playing Basketball.
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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.
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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. |
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Having been practicing clarinet for a decade, Ashley Hsu is now a sophomore music education/performance major studying under Robert DiLutis. Along with her long list of pre-college music experiences, she has recently won 1st place in the Gaithersburg’s Young Artist Award Competition’s Woodwinds Division, participated in the National Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Music Institute this past year, and proudly continues to perform under the baton of Dr. Brown in the University of Maryland's Wind Ensemble. As for why she decided to double major in music, you can blame her growing 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 helps out her high school’s marching band during marching band season. PC Maddie Wu.
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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.
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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.
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Casey Schreck is a sophomore from Rochester, New York currently pursuing a double major in clarinet performance and English. In high school, she was a student at the Eastman Community Music School studying under Andrew Brown. Before coming to Maryland, she was a first clarinet in the NYSSMA Conference All-State symphonic band, as well as principal in ensembles such as the Rochester Area All-State band, Hochstein Youth Wind Symphony, and FLMEA All-County band and orchestra. She is also part of the University Honors program, and enjoys art and beekeeping in her spare time.
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Jerry Sun is a sophomore from Ellicott City, Maryland who graduated from Centennial High School. He is
a double major in Computer Science and Music Performance and has been playing the clarinet for 9 years. Jerry has studied with Bill Welty and Dennis Strawley and is currently studying with Robert Dilutis. He has played in youth orchestra groups such as the Peabody Youth Orchestra, Peabody Wind Orchestra, and Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra. |
