Biography
American clarinettist Ramon Wodkowski came to the UK in 2004 to explore his keen interest in the British clarinet tradition. Having completed both an Artist Diploma and Junior Fellowship at the Royal College of Music, he now lives in London where he enjoys a busy performance schedule.

In addition to his orchestral work, Ramon is a committed chamber musician. He frequently gives solo and chamber music recitals across London, and performs regularly with his own ensemble Trio Orfeo.

Clarinet Mouthpiece Crafting   read more »

Ramon Wodkowski began exploring clarinet mouthpiece design whilst a graduate student at the Yale University School of Music. He studied mouthpiece crafting with James Kanter and Everett Matson, and has since developed his own system of measurement which enables him to produce extremely accurate facings and chambers. A professional clarinet player himself, Ramon understands what players need from a mouthpiece, and his in-depth knowledge of both the American and British clarinet traditions gives him the versatility to customize each mouthpiece to suit its owner's individual playing style. Ramon relays and customizes existing mouthpieces for clients and also offers second hand mouthpieces that he has refurbished; his own line of mouthpieces will be available towards the end of 2009. He sees customers in London by appointment and accepts mail order requests worldwide. Recent clients include: Martin Fröst - International Soloist and Recording artist Richard Hosford - Principal Clarinet, BBC Symphony Orchestra Robert Hill - Principal Clarinet, London Philharmonic Orchestra Robert Pickup - Principal Clarinet, Zurich Opera House Orchestra Hermann Stefánsson - Principal Clarinet, Stockholm Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Tony Lamb - Principal Clarinet, English National Opera Orchestra Nicholas Carpenter - Principal Eb and Bb Clarinet, London Philharmonic Orchestra David Rix - Principal Clarinet, City of London Sinfonia Katherine Lacy - Principal Bass Clarinet, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Derek Hannigan - Principal Clarinet English National Ballet, Sub-Principal Clarinet City of London Sinfonia, Principal/Bass Clarinet BBC Concert Orchestra Dr Justin O'Dell - Professor of Clarinet, Michigan State University Garrick Zoeter - Professor of Clarinet, Shenandoah Conservatory and member of Antares Victor Slaymark - former Principal Clarinet, Royal Shakespeare Company and faculty member of the Guildhall School of Music for 36 years Dr Cecil Gold - Former Professor of Clarinet, University of Idaho, University of Akron, University of North Carolina, Principal Clarinet, Greensboro Symphony Andrew Harper - Freelance clarinettist based in London Richard Russell - Freelance orchestral player and chamber musician Alex Allen - Proprietor of Clarinets Direct (http://www.clarinetsdirect.biz) and freelance clarinettist Pauline Drain - Freelance clarinettist and teacher based in London Emily Sutcliffe - Freelance clarinettist based in London For further information please visit www.ramonwodkowski.com.

Orchestral Work
Orchestras: Apollo Chamber Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, City of Oxford Orchestra, English National Ballet, Irish Chamber Orchestra, London Chamber Orchestra, London Concert Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Pro Arte, Manning Camerata, National Symphony Orchestra, Opera a la Carte, Oxford Philomusica, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Opera House Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Thames Festival Orchestra.

Ramon's orchestral work also includes

Clarinet

• Mahler Chamber Orchestra (guest principal)
• Irish Chamber Orchestra (guest principal)
• City of London Sinfonia (guest principal)
• English National Ballet (guest principal)
• BBC Symphony Orchestra
• London Symphony Orchestra
• London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
• Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
• London Chamber Orchestra
• Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra
• London Concert Orchestra (guest principal)
• Manning Camerata (guest principal)
• London Pro Arte (guest principal)
• National Symphony Orchestra (guest principal)
• Apollo Chamber Orchestra (guest principal)
• Thames Festival Orchestra (guest principal)
• City of Oxford Orchestra
• Orchestra of the Swan
• Bath Philharmonia
• New York String Seminar Orchestra (principal)
• New Haven Symphony Orchestra
• Cleveland Ballet Orchestra (guest principal)
• BBC Television (session work)

• Royal Opera House Orchestra
• Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
• National Symphony Orchestra
• Bath Philharmonia
• BBC Television (session work)
• Jimmy Sturr Orchestra (15 Grammy Awards), nationwide USA tours

Education
Ramon's graduate studies took place at

• Royal College of Music, Artist Diploma (2005)
• Yale University School of Music, Masters Degree (2002)
• Cleveland Institute of Music, Bachelors Degree (2000)
• Interlochen Arts Academy, Diploma (1996)

Prizes and Awards

• Frederick Thurston Prize, Royal College of Music (2005)
• Lucy G Moses Scholarship, Yale University (2000 - 02)
• Three major Fellowships, National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, Washington D.C. (2000 - 03)
• Skillman Foundation Full Scholarship to Interlochen Arts Academy (1995 - 96)

Teachers: Richard Hosford, Franklin Cohen, David Shifrin, Richard Hawkins, Linnea Nereim.

Ramon's web links
www.ramonwodkowski.com

Ramon joined Morgensterns in April 2006

Ramon's web profile was last updated 13th Mar 2010