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: Music & Movement/MS Fundamentals
11:00-12:00PM Clarinet Choir Rehearsal
12:00-1:00PM Lunch Break 1:00-2:15PM Featured Artist, Dr. Alice Wang, Masterclass on the Cavallini
Adagio and Tarantella & the Mozart
Concerto's Rondo with Student Performers
2:15-3:00PM Your Choice: Explore Vandoren Equipment/Exhibits/Break
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 Julieta Ugartemendia
Julieta Ugartemendia has enjoyed a prolific and varied career as a clarinetist, teacher and conductor that includes performances as soloist, chamber musician, conductor, and orchestra member at important venues in North America, South America and Europe; teaching assignments at schools and universities in a variety of musical subjects. She has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Carnegie Music Hall, Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh; Teatro Argentino, Teatro Colon, Centro Cultural Kirchner, Teatro Avenida in Argentina; and important theaters and venues in Europe and Latin America.
Julieta initiated her musical career in Argentina, where she studied conducting and piano at the School of Fine Arts in La Plata, and Clarinet Performance at Conservatorio Provincial Juan José Castro. After winning a national scholarship competition in Argentina and relocating to the United States, she completed the Performance Residency Program at Carnegie Mellon University and an Artist Diploma at Duquesne University. Her professors included Thomas Thomson, Michael Rusinek and Ron Samuels from the Pittsburgh Symphony.
After returning to her home country, Julieta performed regularly with the National Symphony of Argentina, Teatro Argentino and Teatro Colon, and since 2017 she has held the Eb clarinet position at the Symphonic Band of Buenos Aires.
Active also in musical education, she was the coordinator and conductor of Banda de Vientos Juvenil de Buenos Aires since 2015, created and conducted the Wind Ensemble Ayres del Plata, was a clarinet teacher at several youth orchestras from Argentinean’s Youth Orchestral projects, and lecturer through the country and Latin America as a wind specialist for youth orchestras.
She is the founder and director of the Clarinet Festival ``ECpBA” and “Festival de Clarinete del Buen Ayre” since 2014, and the creator and concertmaster of the “Camerata Argentina de Clarinetes”.
In May of 2023, Julieta graduated from a Master’s in Wind Ensemble Conducting at Carnegie Mellon University, and prior to returning to Argentina next spring, she is pursuing advanced studies in clarinet with Michael Rusinek at Carnegie Mellon University.
EVENT DIRECTOR
Julieta Ugartemendia has enjoyed a prolific and varied career as a clarinetist, teacher and conductor that includes performances as soloist, chamber musician, conductor, and orchestra member at important venues in North America, South America and Europe; teaching assignments at schools and universities in a variety of musical subjects. She has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Carnegie Music Hall, Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh; Teatro Argentino, Teatro Colon, Centro Cultural Kirchner, Teatro Avenida in Argentina; and important theaters and venues in Europe and Latin America.
Julieta initiated her musical career in Argentina, where she studied conducting and piano at the School of Fine Arts in La Plata, and Clarinet Performance at Conservatorio Provincial Juan José Castro. After winning a national scholarship competition in Argentina and relocating to the United States, she completed the Performance Residency Program at Carnegie Mellon University and an Artist Diploma at Duquesne University. Her professors included Thomas Thomson, Michael Rusinek and Ron Samuels from the Pittsburgh Symphony.
After returning to her home country, Julieta performed regularly with the National Symphony of Argentina, Teatro Argentino and Teatro Colon, and since 2017 she has held the Eb clarinet position at the Symphonic Band of Buenos Aires.
Active also in musical education, she was the coordinator and conductor of Banda de Vientos Juvenil de Buenos Aires since 2015, created and conducted the Wind Ensemble Ayres del Plata, was a clarinet teacher at several youth orchestras from Argentinean’s Youth Orchestral projects, and lecturer through the country and Latin America as a wind specialist for youth orchestras.
She is the founder and director of the Clarinet Festival ``ECpBA” and “Festival de Clarinete del Buen Ayre” since 2014, and the creator and concertmaster of the “Camerata Argentina de Clarinetes”.
In May of 2023, Julieta graduated from a Master’s in Wind Ensemble Conducting at Carnegie Mellon University, and prior to returning to Argentina next spring, she is pursuing advanced studies in clarinet with Michael Rusinek at Carnegie Mellon University.
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
Sara Snyder - Sara Snyder is an instrumental teacher in the Seneca Valley School District located in Harmony, Pa. Her teaching responsibilities include directing both 7th and 8th Grade Bands, Keyboard I and II, Music Theory and Clarinet Individual Musicianship. Prior to her current teaching position, she taught Elementary General Music at Rowan Elementary in the Seneca Valley School District. In addition, she is a member of the directing staff for the Seneca Valley Roarin’ Raider Marching Band.
Outside of her teaching duties, Mrs. Snyder is the concertmaster/principal clarinetist for the West Hills Symphonic Band, the clarinetist for the West Hills Woodwind Quintet and director of the Harmony-Zelienople Community Band. She also maintains a private clarinet studio in the Seneca Valley attendance area where members of her studio consistently place in PMEA Honors and All-State Bands. Several of her clarinet students have gone on to pursue majors and minors in music.
Mrs. Snyder is a graduate of West Virginia University (BM in Music Performance/Education) and a Masters Degree in Music Education from Duquesne University. Professional affiliations include membership in the Instrumental Band Masters Fraternity (Phi Beta Mu), Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Education.
Mrs. Snyder resides in Cranberry Township, PA with her husband Tom, a retired music teacher/arts coordinator from West Allegheny School District. She has two grown children, Krista ( resident of Lawrenceville, PA and employed at Peoples Natural Gas) and Brad (resident of Brookings, SD and employed as Instructor of Low Brass at South Dakota State University).
Outside of her teaching duties, Mrs. Snyder is the concertmaster/principal clarinetist for the West Hills Symphonic Band, the clarinetist for the West Hills Woodwind Quintet and director of the Harmony-Zelienople Community Band. She also maintains a private clarinet studio in the Seneca Valley attendance area where members of her studio consistently place in PMEA Honors and All-State Bands. Several of her clarinet students have gone on to pursue majors and minors in music.
Mrs. Snyder is a graduate of West Virginia University (BM in Music Performance/Education) and a Masters Degree in Music Education from Duquesne University. Professional affiliations include membership in the Instrumental Band Masters Fraternity (Phi Beta Mu), Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Education.
Mrs. Snyder resides in Cranberry Township, PA with her husband Tom, a retired music teacher/arts coordinator from West Allegheny School District. She has two grown children, Krista ( resident of Lawrenceville, PA and employed at Peoples Natural Gas) and Brad (resident of Brookings, SD and employed as Instructor of Low Brass at South Dakota State University).
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
Kira Nolan Ryan Janice Sara
Bokalders Petote Leonard Vanderslice Coppola Snyder
Bokalders Petote Leonard Vanderslice Coppola Snyder
Becky Yoho Victoria Lewis Emily Rossi Julieta Ugartemendia
Session Information
9:00-9:50AM Warm-Up and Clarinet Choir Rehearsal with Dr. Lynda Dembowski, Julieta Ugartemendia, Becky Yoho, and Sara Snyder - Join clarinet day participants in the event's community clarinet choirs. In this session, we will rehearse pieces to be performed on the day's final concert.
10:00-10:50AM Music and Movement for Clarinetists with Dr. Rosemary Englestad or Fundamentals with Julieta Ugartemendia - 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 and their relationship to performing. Participants will leave with strategies that will help them reduce pain, prevent injury, and discover more musical possibilities. Or choose the clarinet fundamentals session that will cover tips on tone, technique, and articulation for all clarinetists.
11:00-12:00PM Clarinet Choir Rehearsal - In this session, we will rehearse more fun music for clarinet choir for our concert.
1:00-2:00PM Featured Artist Masterclass with Dr. Alice Wang - Cavallini's Adagio and Tarantella and the third movement Rondo of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto are the focus of this interactive class featuring student performers. Join Youngstown State University's Dr. Alice Wang for an inspiring session in preparation for the upcoming District 1 and District 5 PMEA Honors Band auditions.
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 - Visit with participating businesses or explore reeds and equipment.
3:15-4:30PM Clarinet Choir Final Rehearsal - This final session will be spent rehearsing as a combined choir (both Advanced and Middle School) 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 choirs. 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. Lynda Dembowski, Julieta Ugartemendia, Becky Yoho, and Sara Snyder - Join clarinet day participants in the event's community clarinet choirs. In this session, we will rehearse pieces to be performed on the day's final concert.
10:00-10:50AM Music and Movement for Clarinetists with Dr. Rosemary Englestad or Fundamentals with Julieta Ugartemendia - 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 and their relationship to performing. Participants will leave with strategies that will help them reduce pain, prevent injury, and discover more musical possibilities. Or choose the clarinet fundamentals session that will cover tips on tone, technique, and articulation for all clarinetists.
11:00-12:00PM Clarinet Choir Rehearsal - In this session, we will rehearse more fun music for clarinet choir for our concert.
1:00-2:00PM Featured Artist Masterclass with Dr. Alice Wang - Cavallini's Adagio and Tarantella and the third movement Rondo of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto are the focus of this interactive class featuring student performers. Join Youngstown State University's Dr. Alice Wang for an inspiring session in preparation for the upcoming District 1 and District 5 PMEA Honors Band auditions.
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 - Visit with participating businesses or explore reeds and equipment.
3:15-4:30PM Clarinet Choir Final Rehearsal - This final session will be spent rehearsing as a combined choir (both Advanced and Middle School) 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 choirs. We can't wait to share this amazing and diverse program of clarinet music with all of you!
Business Supporters and Sponsors
2023 Sponsors Coming Soon!!!
2023 Sponsors Coming Soon!!!
***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.