Guest Lecture: Ramón Wodkowski, mouthpiece craftsman

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Biography

Ramón Wodkowski is the leading clarinet mouthpiece craftsman of his generation, having garnered international acclaim from many of the world’s leading soloists, orchestral musicians and teachers. A native of Michigan, Wodkowski graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy before earning his bachelor's degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and master's degree from the Yale University School of Music. Wodkowski became interested in mouthpiece design whilst at Yale, and pursued studies in mouthpiece crafting with James Kanter and Everett Matson.  Wodkowski’s interest in the British clarinet tradition led him to study at the Royal College of Music in London, where he gained an Artist Diploma, won the prestigious Frederick Thurston prize, and was subsequently awarded the 2005-06 David Bowerman Junior Fellowship.

A professional clarinetist himself, Wodkowski understands what players need from a mouthpiece, and his in-depth knowledge and experience with both the American and European clarinet traditions provides him the versatility to customize each mouthpiece to suit its owner's individual playing style. A leading authority on mouthpiece history, acoustics and design, Wodkowski has been invited to present lectures at many of the worlds major institutions.Wodkowski enjoys a busy performing schedule as a professional clarinettist. He has performed with orchestras including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, London Mozart Players, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, English National Ballet and City of London Sinfonia. He has worked under conductors including Valery Gergiev, Bernard Haitink, Daniel Harding, Oliver Knussen, Heinz Holliger and Semyon Bychkov, at venues including the Royal Albert Hall (BBC Proms), the Salzburg Mozarteum, Barbican Hall and the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Wodkowski's principal teachers have been Richard Hosford, Franklin Cohen, David Shifrin, Richard Hawkins and Theodore Oien. 

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Event Status
Scheduled
Event Types
Winds & Percussion