Experience a transformational week of artistry, inspiration, and connection that propels you into your fall musical studies with momentum. Each year in early August, Dr. Jana Starling (Western University) and Dr. Wesley Ferreira (Colorado State University) offer the academy in a new host city in North America, providing students access to an exceptional and affordable summer program.
At the Lift Clarinet Academy, we want you to arrive with a goal and leave with a sense of achievement. Through thoughtful planning and communication prior to the academy, we design a personalized program for undergraduate students, graduate students, and advanced high school students, ensuring that you receive the artistic growth and inspiration you are seeking.
Since 2014, the Lift Clarinet Academy has featured rotating guest artists, each contributing uniquely to that year’s offerings. What sets Lift apart is our deep commitment to the individual. We meet each student where they are and work intentionally with the goals they bring to the academy, whether that means preparing for auditions, refining technique, building confidence, or developing a more expressive musical voice. Each participant is assigned their own dedicated practice room to support lessons with each faculty member, and performance coachings. Group sessions and clinics cover a variety of topics from the fundamental to the progressive, providing depth and breadth to every learning experience.
The academy includes topic and performance masterclasses, chamber music collaborations, participant performances, and a faculty recital. Students also enjoy social gatherings that build connection and community among participants and faculty alike. Our goal is simple: to provide every clarinetist with the tools, insight, and inspiration to launch their musical year and take their playing to the next level.
Over the past decade, Lift Clarinet Academy alumni have gone on to achieve remarkable things in the music world, from winning orchestral positions and university appointments to launching performance and teaching careers. We are proud to see the Lift community continuing to grow and make a lasting impact wherever music takes them.
ABOUT
FACULTY
Dr. Jana Starling
Western University
Co - Director, Host & Faculty
Canadian clarinetist Jana Starling is a nationally and internationally recognized performer-teacher. She is a regularly invited artist at the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest®, the International Music Camp (Peace Gardens), and across North America, South America and China. She is the co-founder and faculty member at the Lift Clarinet Academy, a summer clarinet program...
Read More
Dr. Wesley Ferreira
Colorado State University
Co - Director & Faculty
With a charismatic blend of technical flair, polish, and grace, Portuguese-Canadian clarinetist Wesley Ferreira draws in audiences with his unabashed joy and passion for storytelling through music. Widely regarded as a gifted expressionist, critics have praised his “beautiful tone” and “technical prowess” (American Record Guide), “remarkable sensitivity” (CAML Review), and “invigorating performance style” (The Clarinet)...
Read More
Dr. Joshua Gardner
Arizona State University
2026 Guest Artist Faculty
Dr. Joshua Gardner is Associate Professor of Music and Director of the Performance Physiology Research Laboratory at Arizona State University, where he has served on the faculty since 2011. Widely respected as both a performer and pedagogue, Gardner’s career is distinguished by its integration of high-level artistry, pioneering research, and innovative pedagogy.
A sought-after clarinetist...
Read More
Dr. Stefanie Gardner
Glendale Community College
2026 Bass Clarinet Faculty
Dr. Stefanie Harger Gardner is an acclaimed clarinetist, educator, and advocate for new music and inclusivity in the arts. She serves as Music Program Director at Glendale Community College, where she leads Team Lo-Blow, the world’s largest active low clarinet choir. Formerly on the clarinet faculty at Northern Arizona University, Gardner has built an international reputation as a performer, leader...
Read More
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE
Organization & Pedagogy
Chamber Music
& Solo Performances
Through careful planning and consultation, students supply their goals and areas of improvement prior to attending for the week.
The Lift Clarinet Academy focuses on solid pedagogy that supports performance and artistry.
Students are placed in chamber ensembles with scheduled rehearsals and faculty coachings. Final Recital includes chamber ensemble performances & solo performances with pianist provided.
Workshops & Masterclasses
Student - Focused
Unique workshops are created for students to attend based on their individual pedagogical goals and areas of focus. In addition, several performance masterclasses are scheduled during the week.
Our program is always limited to 24 participants so that everyone receives a one to one, private lesson with each faculty member.
Individual Practice Rooms
Takeaways
Each participant is assigned their own practice room for the week to support daily lessons, masterclass preparation, and performance coachings.
Students depart the week with a packet that includes resources based on their workshops, lessons, and goals and areas of focus and improvement that were discussed
YOUR VOICES
SSG Emily Kerski
2014, 2016 participant
"The program was a phenomenal experience for me; it provided invaluable new ideas and perspectives that will have a lasting impact on my studies and career. It was amazing to have all the teachers know us individually. The connections I made with both the faculty and other students will benefit me greatly in the years ahead."
Dr. Meghan Taylor
2015 Participant
"I believe that the best part of the Lift Clarinet Academy was the total immersion in 'clarinet life.’
Being around so many enthusiastic and passionate people helped to create a rich learning
environment that everyone was able to benefit from.”
Ashrey Shaw
2017, 2018 participant
"Attending the academy was a very positive experience for me in that I got to study with amazing faculty members and meet some amazing people. I received a vast amount of information that helped me in the years to come. Attending the academy was definitely my first step to getting to where I am today and where I hope to be in the future."
Minghao Kelvin Liu
2019 participant
“I attended as a second-year undergraduate student. The experience was truly life changing and eye opening. Immersing myself in a professional environment of clarinet performance and pedagogy helped me grow tremendously as both a musician and a clarinetist.
Even now, as a doctoral student, I still keep the notebook from that summer and often return to those notes. the highest level.”
THE LIFT COMMUNITY
For over a decade, the Lift Clarinet Academy has grown into a trusted and inspiring destination for clarinetists seeking meaningful artistic growth. Each summer, students from universities, colleges, conservatories, and orchestras across North America and internationally come together to refine their skills, gain fresh perspectives, and connect with others who share their passion for excellence. Clarinet professors consistently recommend Lift to their students, confident in the individualized attention, high-level instruction, and supportive environment we provide.
Over the years, our community has included participants from a wide range of institutions and has been shaped by an exceptional roster of guest artists who share their expertise and passion for teaching. Together, they form a vibrant network of Lift alumni and mentors who continue to study, perform, and inspire others around the world.
Below is a list of the schools and organizations that our students have represented, along with the distinguished guest artists who have contributed to Lift’s ongoing success. You can also read through real testimonials from past attendees to hear directly about their experiences and the lasting impact of their time at Lift.
Where our students have come from:
Arizona State University
Baylor University
Boise State University
Boston Conservatory of Music
Bowling Green State University
Brigham Young University
Central Michigan University
Colorado State University
Columbus State University
Drake University
East Carolina University Eastern Michigan University
Eastern New Mexico University
Eastman School of Music
Emporia State University
Florida State University
Gettysburg College
Idaho State University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Lawrence University
Liberty University
North Dakota State University
Northeastern State University
Northern State University
Northwestern University
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
McGill University (Canada)
Messiah College
Millikin University
Oklahoma State University
Orquesta Sinfónica de Loja (Ecuador)
Queen’s University (Canada)
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
State University of New York Fredonia
Stetson University
St. Olaf College
Tennessee Tech University
Texas A&M University at Commerce
Truman State University Universidad del Cauca (Columbia)
University of Arizona
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Colorado
University of Central Arkansas
University of Central Missouri
University at Hawai’i at Manoa
University of Houston
University of Indiana at Bloomington
University of Kansas
University of Louisville
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Memphis
University of Miami
University of Minnesota at Twin Cities
University of Mississippi
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Texas
University of Northern Colorado
University of Oklahoma
University of Oregon
University of Puget Sound
University of Southern Mississippi
University of the Pacific
University of Texas at Arlington
University of Texas at Austin
University of Wyoming
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Tech University
Wayne State College
Wichita State University
Western University (Canada)
York University (Canada)
Previous Guest Artist Faculty & Clinicians:
.jpg)
Diane Barger
Debbie Bish
Christine Carter
Julie DeRoche
Alan Kay
Noa Kageyama
Wonkak Kim
Kimberly Cole Luevano
Robert Spring
THROUGH THE YEARS
