An assistant professor in the School of Music is among a roster of worldwide performers recently named a Buffet Crampon Artist.

Buffet Crampon is one of the top international woodwind instrument manufacturers.

A sought-after clarinetist, Dr. Christine Carter has appeared at prestigious venues across the globe, from Carnegie Hall in the United States to the Sydney Opera House in Australia. She says the designation is a professional highlight.

“An artist designation can open the door to further performance and teaching opportunities,” she told the Gazette during a recent interview.

“Buffet Crampon also sponsors significant outreach initiatives and has already supported numerous classes I have given across the country.”

Early start

Dr. Carter says the recognition is humbling, especially since she has been playing a Buffet clarinet since she was a teenager, first on a student instrument and then on a professional clarinet her grandfather gave her.

“He had played this instrument throughout his retirement years, including for duo sessions with me in my grandparents’ basement when I was a child,” she said.

“I still remember the bittersweet day when he brought the clarinet to my parents’ house for dinner. He could no longer play and wanted me to have it in time for music school auditions. I would like to think that he is now getting a kick out of this artist designation.”

Active researcher

Among Dr. Carter’s research interests is performance psychology, which centres on the long hours musicians spend in practice rooms and the unique challenges they face in performance.

“I am passionate about performance psychology research, delving into how we can practise more effectively and perform more freely,” she explained. “I am currently pursuing research in this area with neuroscientist Jessica Grahn and music theorist Jonathan De Souza at Western University, funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Insight Development Grant.”

Trio of CDs

As a concert artist, Dr. Carter’s artistic activities include regularly performing with the Iris Trio, a chamber ensemble for clarinet, viola and piano that she co-founded while living in New York City. Dr. Carter obtained a doctor of musical arts from Manhattan School of Music and taught its Woodwind Lab for four years. The album is in post-production and will be released during a Canadian tour next year.

She also frequently collaborates with Dr. Nancy Dahn and Prof. Tim Steeves, who perform professionally as Duo Concertante. Their recording, Invitation: Trios for clarinet, violin, and piano, was released on Marquis Records this month.

And, she worked on an album with Drs. Maureen Volk and Michelle Cheramy, colleagues from the School of Music, featuring the music of Clifford Crawley, which will be released on Centredisques.

“Working with these ensembles and my wonderful colleagues at the School of Music continues to provide the spark for my motivation as a musician.”