Winter Clarinet Summit

Dr. Julia Heinen

As a soloist, Julia Heinen has performed hundreds of concertos and recitals around the world including recent performances in the Netherlands, Ireland, England, Italy, Belgium, Hungary, Poland, France, El Salvador, the Czech Republic, Spain and Portugal.

Dr. Heinen has adjudicated many competitions including chairing the jury of the 9th International Mercadante Clarinet Competition in Noci, Italy and serving on the jury for the 2nd Biannual International European Clarinet Competition in Ghent, Belgium.

Dr. Heinen is committed to participation in the arts being available to all and works diligently to advocate for this goal. Her research and leadership projects focus on underrepresented constituencies and she works to make sure everyone who wishes to participate in the arts as a vocation or avocation has the opportunity to do so.

Julia Heinen is a Buffet Crampon, D’Addario and Silverstein Performing Artist and performs exclusively on Buffet clarinets, D’Addario reeds, and Silverstein ligatures.

Julia's appearance today is generously sponsored by D'Addario.

Dr. Hilary Leonard

Clarinetist Dr. Hilary Leonard has a dynamic and multi-faceted career as a soloist, orchestral performer, and chamber musician. She has performed throughout North America and Europe, performing and teaching in venues such as the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, and The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, among many others. She has been a part of several recording projects, including her own debut album “Conjuring the Numinous,” scheduled for release in the Summer of 2025. A distinguished educator, Dr. Leonard previously served as Assistant Professor of Music at Bemidji State University and is currently teaching as Lecturer in Clarinet at the University of Minnesota.

 Hilary Leonard holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Oklahoma, and both a master’s degree and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kansas. She is an active sub in several Minnesota orchestras, with recent solo and chamber performances at the International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest in Dublin, Ireland, SHE: Festival of Women in Music in Fayetteville, AR, and the Music by Women International Festival in Columbus, MS. Dr. Leonard performs on Buffet Crampon Clarinets and Légère reeds.

Jerry Luckhardt

Jerry Luckhardt is Associate Director of Bands and a Morse-Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Music–Twin Cities, where he conducts the Symphonic Band and teaches conducting. His other artistic and administrative positions include: Associate Director and Director of Graduate Studies (2016-2019), Acting Director of Bands (2015-2016), Acting Director of the University of Minnesota School of Music (2007-2008), Director of the University of Minnesota Marching Band (1997-2004), Associate Director of Bands at Baylor University (1994-1997), Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Texas-Austin (1991-1993), and Marching Band Director at the University of Michigan (1989-1990).

Luckhardt has appeared as a guest conductor and clinician with ensembles throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He has earned acclaim from composers such as Michael Colgrass, Shelley Hanson, Libby Larsen, Alex Shapiro and Frank Ticheli for performances of their works. Professor Luckhardt is currently music director of the Medalist Concert Band in Bloomington, Minnesota.