STEEL CITY CLARINET DAY
Saturday August 19, 2023
9am-6pm
North Hills Middle School
55 Rochester Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15229
Saturday August 19, 2023
9am-6pm
North Hills Middle School
55 Rochester Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15229
EVENT SCHEDULE
9:00-9:50AM Warm-Up and Clarinet Choir Rehearsal
10:00-10:50AM Session Choice: Natural Movement/Middle School Fundamentals
11:00-12:00PM Clarinet Choir Rehearsal
12:00-1:00PM Lunch Break 1:00-2:00PM Featured Artist, Alice Wang, Masterclass on the Cavallini
Adagio and Tarantella and the Mozart
Concerto Rondo with Student Performers
2:00-2:30PM Session Choice: Explore Equipment/Exhibits
2:30-3:00PM Break and Visit Exhibits
3:00-4:30PM Clarinet Choir Final Rehearsal
5:00-6:00PM Finale Concert
WHO WE ARE........
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FEATURED ARTIST
Dr. Alice Wang is an active clinician, collaborator of chamber music, and an active orchestra player as the regular member of the Youngstown Symphony, Warren Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Opera Western Reserve Orchestra. Alice had performed in professional conferences such as the International Clarinet Association Clarinet Fest and the Ohio Music Education Association Conference as a soloist, chamber musician, as well as the Director of The Dana Clarinet Ensemble. Dr. Wang has been teaching and performing with artists from all over the world in the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival every summer since 2017. Alice completed her Bachelor of Music in Performance at the University of Southern California under the tutelage of Mr. Yehuda Gilad and Mitchell Lurie. She later joined the studio of Sir Walter Boeykens of the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerpin Belgium where she received her masters.As part of the guest student artist program Alice had the opportunity to study with Hermann Stefansson of Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal College of Music in Stockholmin Sweden. During the past summers Alice had participated in the Aspen Music Festival, Marrowstone Music Festival, Atlantic Music Festival, and Round Top Music Festival where she soloed with the orchestra.In 2007, Alice completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Texas at Austin under Prof. Richard MacDowell and joined the faculty of the Dana School of Music in the same year. Alice currently lives in Pittsburgh with her husband Kurt, and their occasionally ill-mannered dog Wally, a flock of hens, and depending on the season a thriving or failing as a bee keeper. |
Dr. Alice Wang
Professor of Clarinet at Youngstown State University 
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SPECIAL GUEST Dr. Laura McLaughlin
Dr. McLaughlin is on faculty at Carroll University and is a founding member and executive director of Lakeshore Rush NFP, a classical chamber ensemble based in Chicago. Laura can be heard on Lakeshore Rush’s debut album, Moving Parts, out now on Albany records. She is also a founding member of Duo LaRo with clarinetist Rosemary Engelstad. Laura has appeared at a variety of conferences including the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest® and the American Single Reed Summit. She has performed in Italy, Belgium, Canada, and across the United States. Dedicated to new music, Laura has commissioned and premiered chamber works by Beth Bradfish, Griffin Candey, Dane Crozier, Amos Gillespie, Jonathan Hannau, Joshua Hintze, Pierre Jalbert, Laura Schwendinger, Chris Thomas, and Roger Zare. Her articles “Tips from the Pros” and “Interview with John Bruce Yeh” were published in the Clarinet Journal, and her “12 Progressive Etudes: For E-flat Clarinet” were published in 2020. As a D’Addario clinician, Laura has presented clinics at middle schools, high schools, and universities across the nation. Laura received a BM degree from Eastern Michigan University, a MM degree from Michigan State University, and a DMA degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her primary teachers include Dr. Linda Bartley, Dr. Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr, and Dr. Kimberly Cole-Luevano.
EVENT DIRECTOR
Dr. McLaughlin is on faculty at Carroll University and is a founding member and executive director of Lakeshore Rush NFP, a classical chamber ensemble based in Chicago. Laura can be heard on Lakeshore Rush’s debut album, Moving Parts, out now on Albany records. She is also a founding member of Duo LaRo with clarinetist Rosemary Engelstad. Laura has appeared at a variety of conferences including the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest® and the American Single Reed Summit. She has performed in Italy, Belgium, Canada, and across the United States. Dedicated to new music, Laura has commissioned and premiered chamber works by Beth Bradfish, Griffin Candey, Dane Crozier, Amos Gillespie, Jonathan Hannau, Joshua Hintze, Pierre Jalbert, Laura Schwendinger, Chris Thomas, and Roger Zare. Her articles “Tips from the Pros” and “Interview with John Bruce Yeh” were published in the Clarinet Journal, and her “12 Progressive Etudes: For E-flat Clarinet” were published in 2020. As a D’Addario clinician, Laura has presented clinics at middle schools, high schools, and universities across the nation. Laura received a BM degree from Eastern Michigan University, a MM degree from Michigan State University, and a DMA degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her primary teachers include Dr. Linda Bartley, Dr. Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr, and Dr. Kimberly Cole-Luevano.
EVENT DIRECTOR
Dr. Amanda Morrison
Amanda Morrison is on faculty at Slippery Rock University and operates a private teaching studio in Pittsburgh, PA. She has served on the staff of Fairmont State University, West Liberty University, Florida State University, Gulf Coast Community College, and the Red River Chamber Music Festival. As a performer, Amanda has given performances and lectures at the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest, the NACWPI National Convention, the Music by Women Festival, the West Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, the American Musicological Society’s National Conference, and numerous colleges and universities throughout the United States.
She is a founding member of the Milano Duo clarinet ensemble (a clarinet duo advocating for new music by women) and the PM Woodwind Project (a flute and clarinet duo committed to sharing education-based chamber and solo music performances). As a fierce new music advocate, Dr. Morrison has commissioned and premiered clarinet works by Scott McAllister, James David, Eric Mandat, Karen Amrhein, Tara Islas, Nicole Chamberlain, Matthew Harder, Gay Kahkonen, Kurt Knecht, David Martynuik, Elaine Ross, and Alan Tormey.
Having a strong interest in extended techniques for clarinet, Morrison’s research focuses on the music of clarinetist/composer Eric Mandat, publishing numerous articles on his life and works in the Clarinet Journal, NACWPI Journal, and Vandoren Newsletter. Ms. Morrison has been a clarinetist with the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Butler Symphony Orchestra, and the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival. She is a Vandoren Artist-Clinician and a registered Music Together early childhood music teacher. Dr. Morrison earned a BM degree from Duquesne University and MM and DM degrees from Florida State University with her principal teachers being Mark Nuccio, Dr. Deborah Bish, Dr. Frank Kowalsky, and Michael Rusinek. www.amandarmorrison.com.
ASSISTANT DIRECTORS
Amanda Morrison is on faculty at Slippery Rock University and operates a private teaching studio in Pittsburgh, PA. She has served on the staff of Fairmont State University, West Liberty University, Florida State University, Gulf Coast Community College, and the Red River Chamber Music Festival. As a performer, Amanda has given performances and lectures at the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest, the NACWPI National Convention, the Music by Women Festival, the West Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, the American Musicological Society’s National Conference, and numerous colleges and universities throughout the United States.
She is a founding member of the Milano Duo clarinet ensemble (a clarinet duo advocating for new music by women) and the PM Woodwind Project (a flute and clarinet duo committed to sharing education-based chamber and solo music performances). As a fierce new music advocate, Dr. Morrison has commissioned and premiered clarinet works by Scott McAllister, James David, Eric Mandat, Karen Amrhein, Tara Islas, Nicole Chamberlain, Matthew Harder, Gay Kahkonen, Kurt Knecht, David Martynuik, Elaine Ross, and Alan Tormey.
Having a strong interest in extended techniques for clarinet, Morrison’s research focuses on the music of clarinetist/composer Eric Mandat, publishing numerous articles on his life and works in the Clarinet Journal, NACWPI Journal, and Vandoren Newsletter. Ms. Morrison has been a clarinetist with the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Butler Symphony Orchestra, and the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival. She is a Vandoren Artist-Clinician and a registered Music Together early childhood music teacher. Dr. Morrison earned a BM degree from Duquesne University and MM and DM degrees from Florida State University with her principal teachers being Mark Nuccio, Dr. Deborah Bish, Dr. Frank Kowalsky, and Michael Rusinek. www.amandarmorrison.com.
ASSISTANT DIRECTORS
Dr. Lynda Dembowski
Lynda Dembowski is a member of the United States Naval Academy Band. She has served as Principal Clarinet, with the Concert Band, and Enlisted Conductor for the bulk of her twenty-year career. Currently, Dembowski performs with the USNA Wind Quintet, and serves as the Division Leading Chief for USNA Band Public Affairs.
Dembowski is Principal Clarinet of the Londontowne Symphony Orchestra, and Second Clarinet and charter member of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival Orchestra. She has performed with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony, Baltimore Choral Arts Society, and Roanoke Symphony Orchestras. Her recent solo appearances include performances with Londontowne Symphony, Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) Concert Band and Orchestra, and Longwood University Wind Symphony. Dembowski and Dr. Amanda Morrison, as the Milano Duo, premiered new works by women composers at the 2019 Music by Women Festival. The Milano Duo are selected to perform at the International Clarinet Association 2019 ClarinetFest at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
A passionate music educator, Dembowski is Adjunct Professor of Clarinet at both Towson University and AACC. She directs the AACC Clarinet Choir, a multi-generational ensemble that actively performs on campus and in the local community. AACC Clarinet Choir recently performed the opening concert for the University of Maryland 2019 Clarinet Symposium, and received an invitation to perform at the United States Navy Band Clarinet Day. Dembowski is a dedicated clinician, providing workshops for Anne Arundel County Schools, Maryland Music Educators Association Conference, and various collegiate institutions.
Dembowski holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Maryland. Her mentors include Loren Kitt, Mark Nuccio, Leslie Nicholas, Robert DiLutis, and Dr. S. James Kurtz.
Lynda Dembowski is a member of the United States Naval Academy Band. She has served as Principal Clarinet, with the Concert Band, and Enlisted Conductor for the bulk of her twenty-year career. Currently, Dembowski performs with the USNA Wind Quintet, and serves as the Division Leading Chief for USNA Band Public Affairs.
Dembowski is Principal Clarinet of the Londontowne Symphony Orchestra, and Second Clarinet and charter member of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival Orchestra. She has performed with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony, Baltimore Choral Arts Society, and Roanoke Symphony Orchestras. Her recent solo appearances include performances with Londontowne Symphony, Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) Concert Band and Orchestra, and Longwood University Wind Symphony. Dembowski and Dr. Amanda Morrison, as the Milano Duo, premiered new works by women composers at the 2019 Music by Women Festival. The Milano Duo are selected to perform at the International Clarinet Association 2019 ClarinetFest at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
A passionate music educator, Dembowski is Adjunct Professor of Clarinet at both Towson University and AACC. She directs the AACC Clarinet Choir, a multi-generational ensemble that actively performs on campus and in the local community. AACC Clarinet Choir recently performed the opening concert for the University of Maryland 2019 Clarinet Symposium, and received an invitation to perform at the United States Navy Band Clarinet Day. Dembowski is a dedicated clinician, providing workshops for Anne Arundel County Schools, Maryland Music Educators Association Conference, and various collegiate institutions.
Dembowski holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Maryland. Her mentors include Loren Kitt, Mark Nuccio, Leslie Nicholas, Robert DiLutis, and Dr. S. James Kurtz.
Dr. Rosemary Engelstad
Rosemary Engelstad is a mother, wife, mover, musician, and bodyworker based in Indiana, PA. She is currently associate professor of Music at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Engelstad holds degrees in Psychology and Music from the University of Maryland, Middle Tennessee State University, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is dedicated to helping musicians stay pain and injury free. She is a Body Mapping Education trainee and a Certified Natural Movement Trainer (MovNat). She is also a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) with a special interest in Craniosacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release (Upledger International).
Rosemary Engelstad is a mother, wife, mover, musician, and bodyworker based in Indiana, PA. She is currently associate professor of Music at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Engelstad holds degrees in Psychology and Music from the University of Maryland, Middle Tennessee State University, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is dedicated to helping musicians stay pain and injury free. She is a Body Mapping Education trainee and a Certified Natural Movement Trainer (MovNat). She is also a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) with a special interest in Craniosacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release (Upledger International).
CLARINETISTS OF STEEL CLINICIANS
Kira Bokalders - Clarinetist Kira Bokalders maintains a dynamic music career playing with some of the Pittsburgh Tri-State region's finest ensembles, including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Canton Symphony Orchestra, Erie Philharmonic, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Opera, and Wheeling Symphony. In addition to performing, Kira maintains an active private teaching studio in the Pittsburgh region. Her students have gone on to win chairs in the PMEA Regional and All-State bands and also attend a number of prestigious performing arts schools and colleges. Originally from South Florida, Kira is a proud Florida Gator who enjoys running, traveling, seeing movies, and spending time with her husband, clarinetist Ryan Leonard and their two cats Tinks and Willow.
Ryan Leonard - Clarinetist Ryan Leonard earned his BFA and MM at Carnegie Mellon University as a student of Thomas Thompson and Michael Rusinek. Ryan has held positions with the Sarasota Opera, Opera Steamboat, the Westmoreland Symphony, and the Incidental Chamber Players. He has performed as guest principal clarinet of the Erie Philharmonic, Wheeling Symphony and Youngstown Symphony and has soloed with the Westmoreland Symphony, Resonance Works Pittsburgh, and the Edgewood Symphony. He has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Omaha Symphony, and the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet orchestras. Summer festivals include the Artosphere Festival Orchestra and the Pierre Monteux School. He has studied with Andrew Lamy, Miriam Lockhart, Jack Howell and Richard Page. He lives in Pittsburgh with his wife, clarinetist Kira Bokalders and their two cats and loves to cook for friends and family.
Ryan Leonard - Clarinetist Ryan Leonard earned his BFA and MM at Carnegie Mellon University as a student of Thomas Thompson and Michael Rusinek. Ryan has held positions with the Sarasota Opera, Opera Steamboat, the Westmoreland Symphony, and the Incidental Chamber Players. He has performed as guest principal clarinet of the Erie Philharmonic, Wheeling Symphony and Youngstown Symphony and has soloed with the Westmoreland Symphony, Resonance Works Pittsburgh, and the Edgewood Symphony. He has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Omaha Symphony, and the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet orchestras. Summer festivals include the Artosphere Festival Orchestra and the Pierre Monteux School. He has studied with Andrew Lamy, Miriam Lockhart, Jack Howell and Richard Page. He lives in Pittsburgh with his wife, clarinetist Kira Bokalders and their two cats and loves to cook for friends and family.
Becky Yoho - Becky Yoho is a private clarinet instructor and music educator from New Castle, Pennsylvania. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Education from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University, where she studied with Robert Fitzer, Joseph Edwards, and Alice Wang. She performs regularly in the region, including with the W. D. Packard Concert Band, Legacy Scoring Orchestra, and many local musical productions. Becky has been teaching music in public schools for 14 years and currently teaches K-6 General Music and 5-6 Choirs at Shenango Area School District, which has been recognized as a “Best Community for Music Education.” She serves as the Lawrence County Representative for PMEA Elementary Music Educators. She is a music arranger for many local bands, choirs, and ensembles. Becky has taught private clarinet lessons for 19 years. Her clarinet students actively participate in community ensembles, PMEA festivals, Stambaugh Youth Concert Band, and the Youngstown State University Youth Orchestra; many of these students have won senior concerto competitions, served as principal clarinetists, qualified for PMEA All-State Bands, NAFME All-Eastern Honors Ensembles, and have gone on to study music in college. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, International Clarinet Association, and National Education Association. She resides in New Castle with her husband Nick and their two dogs, Cooper and Millie.
CLARINETISTS OF STEEL
Rachael Kira Nolan Ryan Janice
Stutzman Cohen Bokalders Petote Leonard Vanderslice Coppola
Stutzman Cohen Bokalders Petote Leonard Vanderslice Coppola
Becky Yoho Victoria Lewis Emily Rossi Julieta Ugartemendia
Session Information
9:00-9:50AM Warm-Up and Clarinet Choir Rehearsal with Dr. Amanda Morrison and Dr. Lynda Dembowski - Join clarinet day participants in the event's community clarinet choir. In this session, we will rehearse pieces to be performed on the day's final concert.
10:00-10:50AM Choice of Session: Natural Movement for Clarinetists with Dr. Rosemary Englestad or All About the Eb and Bass Clarinets with Kira Bokalders and Ryan Leonard - You get to pick! In one session, get ready to move your body! We will explore movements and somatic concepts that promote freedom of movement. Participants will leave with strategies that will help them reduce pain, prevent injury, and discover more musical possibilities. Or choose the auxiliary clarinets session that will cover how to get started, what equipment to use, hot tips, and examples of standard band rep that any clarinetist might come across.
11:00-12:00PM Clarinet Choir Rehearsal and Reading Session - In this session, we will rehearse the clarinet choir accompaniment for our featured guest soloist, Aaron Scott, as well as rehearse more fun music for clarinet choir for our concert.
1:00-2:00PM Featured Artist Masterclass with Aaron Scott - The third movement Rondo of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto is the focus of this interactive class featuring student performers. Join the U.S. Army Band's "Pershing's Own" Aaron Scott for an inspiring session in preparation for the upcoming PMEA audition.
2:00-2:30PM Break and Visit Exhibits - Take advantage of the opportunity to explore instruments, music, and equipment with the local and national businesses that are spending the day with us!
2:30-3:00PM Choice of Session or Visit Exhibits - Join Aaron Scott for a Q and A session or explore reeds and equipment.
3:15-4:30PM Clarinet Choir Final Rehearsal - Aaron Scott, as soloist with the clarinet choir, will join us for the final rehearsal of the day. This final session will be spent rehearsing with Dr. Scott and refining our clarinet choir pieces for the finale concert.
5:00-6:00PM Finale Concert - The day will culminate in this celebration of the clarinet! The concert includes performances by our featured guest artist, directors, the clarinetists of steel, and the event's community clarinet choir. We can't wait to share this amazing and diverse program of clarinet music with all of you!
Session Information
9:00-9:50AM Warm-Up and Clarinet Choir Rehearsal with Dr. Amanda Morrison and Dr. Lynda Dembowski - Join clarinet day participants in the event's community clarinet choir. In this session, we will rehearse pieces to be performed on the day's final concert.
10:00-10:50AM Choice of Session: Natural Movement for Clarinetists with Dr. Rosemary Englestad or All About the Eb and Bass Clarinets with Kira Bokalders and Ryan Leonard - You get to pick! In one session, get ready to move your body! We will explore movements and somatic concepts that promote freedom of movement. Participants will leave with strategies that will help them reduce pain, prevent injury, and discover more musical possibilities. Or choose the auxiliary clarinets session that will cover how to get started, what equipment to use, hot tips, and examples of standard band rep that any clarinetist might come across.
11:00-12:00PM Clarinet Choir Rehearsal and Reading Session - In this session, we will rehearse the clarinet choir accompaniment for our featured guest soloist, Aaron Scott, as well as rehearse more fun music for clarinet choir for our concert.
1:00-2:00PM Featured Artist Masterclass with Aaron Scott - The third movement Rondo of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto is the focus of this interactive class featuring student performers. Join the U.S. Army Band's "Pershing's Own" Aaron Scott for an inspiring session in preparation for the upcoming PMEA audition.
2:00-2:30PM Break and Visit Exhibits - Take advantage of the opportunity to explore instruments, music, and equipment with the local and national businesses that are spending the day with us!
2:30-3:00PM Choice of Session or Visit Exhibits - Join Aaron Scott for a Q and A session or explore reeds and equipment.
3:15-4:30PM Clarinet Choir Final Rehearsal - Aaron Scott, as soloist with the clarinet choir, will join us for the final rehearsal of the day. This final session will be spent rehearsing with Dr. Scott and refining our clarinet choir pieces for the finale concert.
5:00-6:00PM Finale Concert - The day will culminate in this celebration of the clarinet! The concert includes performances by our featured guest artist, directors, the clarinetists of steel, and the event's community clarinet choir. We can't wait to share this amazing and diverse program of clarinet music with all of you!
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***The health and safety of participants at Steel City Clarinet Day is an individual, personal responsibility. By choosing to attend this event, you recognize and accept that the North Hills School District and its employees, Steel City Clarinet Day staff and organizers, and event participants and attendees are not responsible for the health and safety of event attendees.