Rebecca J. McFarland – Principal Clarinet

Rebecca J. McFarland is a freelance clarinetist based in the Washington D.C. area. She began her collegiate studies at Virginia Tech where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music with concentrations in music education and clarinet performance studying with Dr. David Widder. During her time at Virginia Tech, Rebecca was the first duet winner of the student soloist competition, and performed Ponchielli’s Il Convegno with the Virginia Tech Wind Ensemble.

     Following her undergraduate studies, Rebecca pursued a Master’s degree in clarinet performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music studying with Ron Aufmann of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. During her time in Cincinnati Rebecca worked as a woodwind instructor at the West Chester Academy of Music and Dance, and taught general music classes with Whiz Kids Tutoring Program. In addition to her collegiate studies, Rebecca has privately studied with Rob Patterson, Kristen G. Sheridan, and Dr. Robert Little. 

    

Since relocating to the Washington D.C. area in 2015, Rebecca has performed with the Capital Wind Symphony, the Domaine Forget International Festival, the Zodiac Music Festival and Academy, the Pierre Monteux School Festival Orchestra, the Charlottesville Symphony, and as a guest artist at Chipola College, and Gulf Coast State University. In addition to her work as a performer, Rebecca owns and operates the RJM Clarinet Studio, and works as a guest clinician for several school systems in Northern Virginia. Rebecca has also presented a clinic on improving high school clarinet sections at the Virginia Music Educators Association conference in Hot Springs, VA in 2017.