KEITH LEMMONS

Biography

Clarinetist Keith Lemmons serves as a Presidential Teaching Fellow, Professor of Clarinet, Head of the Woodwind Faculty and Music Undergraduate Advisor at The University of New Mexico-Albuquerque. At UNM since 1984, he has been named Teacher of the Year twice and combines an international reputation as a sought after soloist, master teacher, chamber and orchestral musician with a distinguished teaching career. Concerts in Sweden, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, Portugal as well as throughout the United States have all met with critical acclaim. "Lemmons had them in ecstasy" wrote El Sol de Mexico City. "Sheer virtuosity" wrote The Clarinet. He was recently an invited guest artist and international judge for the 2009 International ClarFest in Portugal. He has appeared as a guest artist at the International ClarFests in 2008 (Kansas City), 2006 (Atlanta), 2003 (Salt Lake City), 2002 (Stockholm), 2000 (Oklahoma), 1997 (Texas), 1990 (Quebec City) and 1989 (Minneapolis). Professor Lemmons is a member of the acclaimed New Mexico Winds Woodwind Quintet, Trio New Mexico and Trio Clarivoce,-all artist faculty ensembles-in-residence at The University of New Mexico. He is principal clarinet with Santa Fe Pro Musica, Serenata of Santa Fe, Taos Chamber Music Group, the Los Alamos Fuller Lodge Ensemble and regularly performs with the New Mexico Symphony, Santa Fe Symphony, Opera Southwest Orchestra, and Roswell Symphony. The University of New Mexico clarinet studio is renowned for its many students from Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico and the United States. Many of his students now teach at the university level and play in orchestras and military bands throughout the United States. His numerous recordings are found on the Summit, Centaur, AlbuZerkque, UNM, TCMG and Katson Production CD labels. His degrees are from Pittsburg State University (KS) with Robert Schott and Michigan State University with Dr. Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr. He also has additional extensive study with Larry Combs (Principal, Chicago Symphony), Charles Neidich (Julliard School) and Dame Thea King (Principal, English Chamber Orchestra). He is also the proud father of Justin and Megan Lemmons. Professor Lemmons is a Leblanc Clarinet Performing Artist.

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