Education:
Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland, OH (clarinet performance) A.D.
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (clarinet performance) M.M
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (clarinet performance) B.M
Areas of Instruction: Clarinet, Resident Woodwind Quintent
Bio
Kirsten Ahnell is a native of Owensboro and a product of professional musician parents. Her musical studies began with piano at age four, violin at age 6 and clarinet at age 10. She has been principal clarinetist and featured soloist with the Owensboro Symphony for the past 30 years. She is a former member of the Savannah Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Youngstown and Elgin Symphonies. Ms. Ahnell has also performed with many other orchestras, including the Charleston Symphony, Illinois Philharmonic, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Orchestra Kentucky and has been a regular substitute with the Evansville Philharmonic since 1990.
Ms. Ahnell has taught clarinet extensively in the past, both privately and in the university setting. She was visiting professor of clarinet at University of Evansville, assistant professor of clarinet at SUNY, Fredonia and instructor of clarinet at the Cleveland Institute of Music in the Preparatory Division. Currently, she maintains a private studio in Owensboro.
Ms. Ahnell holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in clarinet performance from Northwestern University, where she was a student of Robert Marcellus, Larry Combs and Russell Dagon, and an Artist Diploma degree in clarinet performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she was a student of Theodore Johnson and worked extensively with John Mack. She has been heard in recital in Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Georgia and on radio station WFMT in Chicago.
Currently, Ms. Ahnell is a member of River City Wind Trio and is the founder and organizer of Brown Bag Lunch Concerts. When not playing clarinet, Kirsten can be found perfecting her strokes on the tennis court or working on her new hobby, golf.