LEADERSHIP
Nick Davies, founder and artistic director
Nick Davies is the Bass/Utility Clarinet of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Previously, Nick was Principal Clarinet of the Great Falls Symphony and the Chinook Winds, in addition to holding positions as Bass/Utility Clarinet with the Sarasota Opera and Des Moines Metro Opera. He has performed with orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Santa Barbara Symphony. As a soloist, Nick recently performed Frank Ticheli’s Clarinet Concerto alongside the composer, and has performed as a soloist with ensembles such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Antelope Valley Symphony, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, and the USC Wind Ensemble. Other honors include taking First Place in the Pasadena Showcase Competition, and Third Place in Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Mr. Davies has a strong interest in contemporary music and has held past fellowships with Ensemble Modern’s Klangspuren Schwaz, Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, and Spoleto Festival USA. As a composer, his commissions include those from the Houston Grand Opera, Midic Winds, Eureka Ensemble, Webster Trio, and the Chicago Harp Quartet. Nick is the artistic director and founder of the Rossini Club, a chamber music organization based in Nantucket, Massachusetts, which is hosting its eleventh season this year. He holds degrees from Rice University and the University of Southern California.
Ivy Ringel, administrative assistant and webmaster
Bassoonist Ivy Ringel is the Principal Bassoon of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Prior to her time in Indianapolis, Ivy was Principal Bassoon of the Atlanta Opera Orchestra and the Des Moines Metro Opera Orchestra. She is a frequent guest with orchestras such as the Atlanta Symphony, Houston Symphony, Chattanooga Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, Rochester Philharmonic, and Jacksonville Symphony. Ivy is a committed teacher, having held positions at Butler University and Morehouse College, in addition to teaching masterclasses at Indiana University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the Meg Quigley Bassoon Symposium and Columbus State University (GA). Ivy is from Hillsborough, North Carolina, where she began music studies at age 5 on the violin before switching to the bassoon in middle school. She attended Rice University (MM) and the Eastman School of Music (BM). For more about Ivy, check out her website.