• Exploring the Paris Pet Cemetery to Find the Graves of Saint-Saëns’ Dogs

    Longtime readers of Jenny Clarinet should know by now that I’m quite the taphophile (one who enjoys exploring cemeteries). I’ve visited the graves of famous clarinetists and famous composers, and now I can add pet cemeteries of famous composers to the list. Two years ago, I explored the Cimetière des Chiens et Autres Animaux Domestiques in Asnières-sur-Seine, a small suburb of Paris. Built in 1899, this is supposedly the “first zoological necropolis” in the world. When I found out that it was also where Camille Saint-Saëns laid his beloved dogs, Samson and Dalila, to rest, I knew I had to visit. Anyone who has ever had a pet knows that…

  • Why You Should Cultivate a Fulfilling Life Outside of the Practice Room

    I used to think that everything I did should serve the clarinet and my musical growth. In addition to practicing unhealthy amounts each day, I would devour books on musicianship and artistry. I agonized about my slow progress from mere clarinetist to musical artist with compelling yet unique interpretations. I would wake up every morning at 5am to practice before class, and I would stay up late to do some score study and learn new repertoire. Even my exercise routine was tailored with lots of cardio to maximize my lung capacity when I played clarinet. I tried to live a lifestyle where everything was related to the clarinet. If I…

  • Canadian Clarinet Compositions

    Happy Canada Day! I’ve enjoyed my first year in this beautiful country as I complete my doctorate in Montreal. I’d like to celebrate this national holiday with a list of some works for clarinet by Canadian composers I’ve discovered during my time up north. By no means is this list comprehensive, so feel free to share your favorite Canadian clarinet compositions below! Violet Archer – Moods for clarinet and alto saxophone (Archer also wrote Soliloquies for B-flat and A clarinet, along with Crossroads for solo clarinet) John Beckwith – Fall Scene and Fair Dance for clarinet, violin, and strings Alan Belkin – Sonata No. 2 for clarinet and piano Stephen Chatman…

  • 9 Museums Every Clarinetist Should Visit

    Are you looking for a clarinet-themed getaway this summer? Here are some museums you and all your clarinet friends should check out: Musée des Instruments à Vent (La Couture-Boussey, France) – If you want to see an impressive collection of wind instruments (and who doesn’t?), this is your place. Musical Instruments Museum (Brussels, Belgium) – In addition to a wide assortment of historical musical instruments, this museum houses a bass clarinet by the instrument’s inventor, Adolphe Sax. Musée de la musique (Paris, France) – With over 1,000 objects in the permanent collection, this museum is sure to intrigue. (Make sure to hear a concert at the Philharmonie after your visit!) National Music Museum (Vermillion,…

  • The Musician’s Guide to Studying Abroad: How to Turn Your Dreams Into Reality

    Many musicians dream of one day studying abroad – to study with a certain teacher, experience different pedagogy, become fluent in another language, learn more about another culture, or just broaden their musical perspectives. But dreaming about studying abroad is where it ends for most people. I’m here to tell you how to turn your study abroad dreams into a reality. I’m an American clarinetist, and I’ve lived in 3 different countries and visited 30 countries (and counting!). I moved to Paris in August 2015 to study with Philippe Cuper at the Versailles Conservatory, where I received my master’s degree in Musique, interprétation et patrimoine (musical interpretation and cultural heritage).…

  • The Final Resting Places of Famous Composers

    Longtime readers should know me well enough by now to know that I have an interest in the macabre. When I’m not practicing my clarinet, I enjoy reading Stephen King, listening to scary stories on YouTube, and exploring cemeteries. Last year, I visited the graves of famous clarinetists around the world. In addition to clarinetists’ graves, I also had the opportunity to pay my respects to famous composers. Here are a few of the composers’ graves I have visited: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). Wiener Zentralfriedhof – Vienna, Austria. Franz Schubert (1797-1828). Wiener Zentralfriedhof – Vienna, Austria. Richard Wagner (1813-1883). Wahnfried – Bayreuth, Germany. Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884). Vyšehrad Cemetery – Prague, Czech Republic. Johann Strauss…

  • Moving to Montréal!

    It’s crazy how seemingly innocuous decisions can impact your life. Take, for example, my decision to play the clarinet. I was a shy, bookish 10-year-old when I started band. I thought it would be a fun way to hang out with my friends and be exempt from gym. Little did I know that a chunk of grenadilla wood would change my life. Playing the clarinet has given me opportunities I never dreamed possible and introduced me to incredible people from around the world. Just three years ago, I moved to Paris and started this blog. During this time, I learned French, received a Master de musicologie, interprétation et patrimoine, studied…

  • Musical Adventures: Day Trip to Galánta

    Living in Europe the last few years has given me the incredible opportunity to travel to some pretty amazing places. Having visited 30 countries (and counting!), I’ve been able to explore bustling metropolises, rural villages, quiet cemeteries, dusty archives, and other portals to the past. I have always loved history. Not only did I read my Norton music history textbook for fun, but I also contacted the publishers to report a few errors (they listed Bernstein’s birth year as 1916!). I think it is important to understand our musical past so we can continue to grow as musicians, and I welcome any opportunity to experience history firsthand. During my travels,…

  • The Final Resting Places of Famous Clarinetists

    Happy Friday the 13th! To get into the Halloween spirit, I’ve been visiting cemeteries and researching the gravesites of famous clarinetists. This morbid fascination has led me to visit many of these graves during my travels. Visiting these musicians’ graves allows me to pay my respects to the people who have influenced so much of the clarinet’s history. History books only tell us so much, and it’s an amazing experience to visit the final resting places of people who had previously existed only on paper or in music. Here are some of the cemeteries in which famous clarinetists are buried. This will be an ongoing project which I will update…

  • My Second Year in Europe in 25 Photos

    My oh my, how the time does fly! It’s hard to believe that I’ve been in Paris for two years already! I’m so lucky to call Paris my adopted home, and I’d like to share some of my favorite photo memories of last year in Paris and beyond. Action shot during my performance of the Mozart Quintet, K. 581. This was taken at the pre-overture of La Seine Musicale. Visiting the René Magritte exhibition at the Pompidou Centre. Magritte is my absolute favorite artist, and I spent the better part of a day exploring the museum and exhibition. Performing the Tomasi Clarinet Concerto at the Fondation des Etats-Unis. I’m so happy…