Melissa Lander – Clarinet

Equally accomplished in large ensembles and chamber groups, clarinetist Melissa Johnson Lander is currently clarinetist with the National Chamber Winds in Washington, D.C. and Concertmaster of Maryland Winds. She founded and performs regularly with Quatri Quartet (clarinet, violin, cello and piano) and is an active freelancer in the Baltimore/DC area. Melissa enjoys teaching at UMBC (adjunct faculty) and maintains a large private studio in Howard County.

Previously, Ms. Lander served as Executive Director and Clarinetist with Symphony Number One in Baltimore and Co-Principal Clarinetist of the US Army Field Band. She was a featured soloist with TUSAFB in over 35 concerts including performances of the Copland Concerto and premiering a new accompaniment for the solo work Homage a Manuel de Falla by Bella Kovacs. During her seven years of service, Ms. Lander was also a member of the Pentagon Winds woodwind quintet, presenting recitals and educational master classes at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Melissa gave her solo recital debut at the age of 21 with a LIVE radio broadcast on NPR as a result of winning the Neale-Silva Young Artist Competition.

Ms. Lander holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, the University of Michigan and Interlochen Arts Academy studying with Deborah Chodacki, Russ Dagon and Kenneth Grant. After leaving the Army and dedicating eight years to staying home with her children, Melissa’s passion for performance led her to return to school. She completed Graduate Performance Diplomas in Clarinet and Chamber Music from Peabody Conservatory, where she studied with NY Philharmonic Principal Clarinetist Anthony McGill and received the 2016 Grace Glagett Raney Prize for exceptional chamber music accomplishment.

Melissa and her husband Ed live in Howard County where you can find them constantly running their three tween children around town. In the month of July, you can find them all enjoying Csehy Summer Music Festival at Cairn University, PA where Melissa is on faculty.

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