Maria Wagner

Teaches: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet

Teaching Philosophy: I strive to cultivate self-reflection and curiosity within my students by inviting them to listen constructively to their own playing, by helping them to set their own goals, and by reminding them to meet themselves kindly where they are at each day.

Greatest Music Influences: I can find a little something unique to learn from every musician I have the opportunity to play with.

When I’m not making music:  I am reading, cooking, practicing restorative yoga, and snuggling my cat Mimi!

Favorite place in Maine: Portland, which I have called home since 2006.

To learn more: www.mariawagnerclarinet.com

Maria enjoys a varied career as a freelance performer and educator. As a classically trained clarinetist, she frequently appears with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and sits as second/bass clarinet in the Maine State Ballet Orchestra. She also enjoys performing occasionally with the Portland Symphony Orchestra, Opera Maine, Maine State Music Theatre, and the Oratorio Chorale. Maria specializes in the performance of new solo and chamber music and is passionate about interpreting brand new works and expanding the edges of classical music. She enthusiastically performs in the Vigorous Tenderness concert series and projects with Classical Uprising. In 2021, she joined the neofolk chamber ensemble Forêt Endormie, and recorded on their 2023 full length album "Le désepoir utopique."

Maria earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Clarinet Performance from the University of Southern Maine where she studied with Dr. Thomas Parchman, Dr. Peter Martin, and Neil Boyer. She continues her studies now in classical and folk music from the Middle East with a special focus on Arabic maqamat (melodic modes) and the nay, an end blown reed flute. She performs with Jawahir Arabic Music Ensemble and is a co-founder of the Maine Arabic Music Community Group.