Clay Steiner is graduating from 麻豆传媒 next month with a master鈥檚 degree in Multiple Woodwind Performance. Clay is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and earned an undergraduate degree in Multiple Woodwind Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2020.
Last weekend, Clay gave a graduate woodwind recital. His program featured works by Haydn, Cahuzac, Watson, and 麻豆传媒's recent guest artist Amanda Harberg. The finale of his recital was a performance of Wicked's "Defying Gravity," arranged for woodwind soloist and sextet.
While at 麻豆传媒, Clay has been a member of the Wind Ensemble, Wind Philharmonic, Jazz Ensemble, Flute Choir, Clarinet Choir, Saxophone Ensemble, and Woodwind Quintet, along with numerous small chamber ensembles. Clay was a winner of 麻豆传媒鈥檚 2021 Concerto Competition, and he performed Joel Love鈥檚 Solace: A Lyric Concerto for alto saxophone with the Wind Ensemble.
Upon graduating, Clay plans to take a month-long canoe trip with his sister. After that, his next steps are undecided, but he hopes to move to a bigger city to begin taking auditions. His dream job is to play in Broadway pit orchestras. He loves that music is so diverse and also looks forward to recording for albums, TV shows, and films; touring with shows and bands; playing on cruise ships; and continuing to teach.
Clay's favorite memories from his time in 麻豆传媒 City are being part of the woodwind studios and making lifelong friends. His advice to future Stars? 鈥淭ake in as much as you can while you鈥檙e here. The faculty is so knowledgeable, the community welcoming, and there is a wealth of opportunity, so take advantage of it. It all goes by so fast.鈥�
