|
Karen Dannessa
Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music - Clarinet
Room 231, Swope Music Building
Phone: 610-436-2891
kdannessa@wcupa.edu
Thoughts on SOM
Mission at SOM
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Karen Dannessa is Assistant Professor of Clarinet at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She is an active performer whose playing has been described as “…. magical….with a full, centered, silky tone…” (The Clarinet). Recent performances as a clarinet artist include appearances at numerous regional, national, and international conventions such as the International Clarinet Association Convention (1995, 1997, 2004), the International Double Reed Society Convention (1996, 1998, 2003), Montana Clarinet Festival (1995), and the University of Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium (1993). She also premiered two newly commissioned works for clarinet and English horn in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in June 2003. Having an affinity for chamber music she has performed extensively across the US and Mexico with Colloquy, an ensemble dedicated to commissioning and performing contemporary music. She has also appeared with the Audubon Quartet and presented lecture recitals for the College Music Society. Dannessa, along with husband Henry Grabb, released her first recording, American Lyrique, in May 2002. The compact disc includes the clarinet music of John G. MacKay, Jr. and Mark Sforzini. She and Grabb have created a repertoire for clarinet and English horn by commissioning and premiering works from composers Katherine Murdock, Jason Haney, Mark Sforzini, Howard Buss, and Matthew Herman. Dannessa has also performed as a freelance clarinetist in orchestras along the eastern seaboard as well as with the Springfield (MO) Symphony Orchestra and the American Wind Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Dannessa regularly publishes articles and reviews in The Clarinet, journal for the International Clarinet Association. Her private teachers include Frank Kowalsky, Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr, and Joseph Edwards. Prior to her appointment at West Chester University Dannessa served on the faculties of Clarion University and Pittsburg ( Kansas ) State University for twelve years. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Youngstown State University , a Master of Music in Performance/Woodwind Specialty from Michigan State University and the Doctor of Music in Clarinet Performance from Florida State University .
top of page
|
