Olivia Fletcher is a third-year DMA student and Teaching Assistant at MSU. In 2021, she graduated with a Masters of Music in Bassoon Performance from Arizona State University where she studied with Dr. Albie Micklich. In 2018, she received Bachelor’s degrees in Bassoon Performance and Music Education from Ithaca College, where she studied with Dr. Lee Goodhew-Romm, Glenn Einschlag, and Dr. Christin Schillinger. In addition to working on her DMA, Olivia works as a behavior technician at ROI in Okemos, where she teaches children with autism. When she is not working, she enjoys yoga, vegan cooking, and spending time with her orange cat, Ozzy. In the future, Olivia hopes to teach bassoon at the collegiate level.
Erika Clippinger, a native of Silver Springs, Florida, is a second-year DMA student and Teaching Assistant for the bassoon studio. Prior to Michigan State, Erika received a Master of Arts in Bassoon Performance from The University of Central Florida in 2022 where she studied with Dr. Yoon Joo Hwang and was the Teaching Assistant for the Music Theory department. She also received a Master of Music in Bassoon Performance from Oklahoma City University in 2015 where she studied with Anna Resnick Henson and was the Teaching Assistant bassoonist in the graduate wind quintet, and a Bachelor of Arts in Bassoon from Stetson University in 2012 where she studied with Dr. Ashley Heintzen. She is also currently the bassoonist for Colorwash Wind Quintet, comprised of graduate students also studying at Michigan State.
An avid researcher, Erika has spent her academic time outside of bassoon focusing on Korean traditional and popular music, Korean music education, and language. She is also a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, and has performed with the Orlando Philharmonic (FL), The Villages Philharmonic (FL), Brevard Symphony Orchestra (FL), Battle Creek Symphony (MI) and toured briefly with Andrea Bocelli for his 2021 Believe World tour. Erika hopes to teach at the collegiate level in the future.
Dylan Myers, second-year DMA, is an early music specialist researching history of pedagogy. He was a finalist in the Running Start Competition (2023) for his grant proposal "New Music for Historical Bassoon: Composition Commission and Recording Project." Prior to MSU, Dylan worked in commercial double reed industry and woodwind repair in addition to performing in the Glacier Symphony (MT), Willamette Master Chorus & Orchestra (OR), and Central Wisconsin Symphony, as well as freelancing throughout the Pacific Northwest. Dylan received his B.M. in bassoon performance and M.M.Ed. in studio pedagogy from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and studied historical bassoons with Keith Collins and Steve Vacchi. He studied modern bassoon with Michael Kroth and Patricia Holland, historical bassoons with Keith Collins and Steve Vacchi, and early music and continuo with Margaret Gries. Dylan can be heard on Wisconsin, Montana, Washington, and Oregon Public Radio.
My name is Sierra Watson and I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. I earned my Bachelor of Music degree in Bassoon Performance from Ball State University in May 2021, my Master of Music degree in Bassoon Performance from Michigan State University in May 2023, and am currently pursuing a DMA here at Michigan State. While at Ball State, I was the winner of the 2019-2020 Undergraduate Concerto Competition. As the winner, I got to play the first movement of the Weber Bassoon Concerto with the Ball State Symphony Orchestra and ALMOST got to play a solo recital at Mukogawa Women’s University in Nishinomiya, Japan (it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic). I play on a Fox 601 bassoon. Fun fact: I have three bunnies back home named Peter, Flynn, and Dolly!
Emily Mastenbrook, born in Kalamazoo, Michigan is currently attending Michigan State University for her Masters in Music. She has toured internationally and put on many solo recitals. Emily earned a dual bachelors degree from Western Michigan University in Bassoon Performance and Spanish. She recently completed her Graduate Artist Certificate from The University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Emily has worked with many professional musicians. She specializes in orchestral playing, Contrabassoon and small chamber music, specifically baroque.
Aidan Binford is a senior majoring in Music Performance and Journalism. He was once a member of the Spartan Drumline and now plays alto sax in the Spartan Marching Band. Outside of school, he spends his time writing and hanging out with his housemates.
Gabby Richmond is a third-year undergraduate Music Education major from Williamston, MI. Along with “bassooning,” she is alto saxophone section leader in the Spartan Marching Band and Parliamentarian in Kappa Kappa Psi. Gabby has a strong passion for equity in music education, leadership and community-building, and effective double reed education. When she’s not at the music building, she enjoys taking barre classes, riding roller coasters, listening to Taylor Swift, and spending time with her friends, family, and three labrador retrievers.
Anna Schicht is a second-year music education major from Saginaw, Michigan. When she isn't in class you can find her hiking trails or taking in the sights of campus. She holds a deep love for her cats, Cashew and Tuck, and is excited for all this year will bring!
Hi! My name is Katherine Dahn, and I am from Tecumseh Michigan. I am a Bassoon Performance Major who is also getting a science degree in Neuroscience. Growing up, my family surrounded me with the arts so it was no surprise when I fell in love with music at an early age. Along with being able to play the bassoon, I also play piano and have been taking lessons since first grade. I am super excited to be a part of this program and hope to make many people (including myself) just a bit happier with a little music!