Our committee works to ensure that the ICA’s DEIA mission allows members to feel welcome in our community. In this session, we will address complex and sensitive topics that are present in today’s music programs. Members will introduce themselves and focus on individual issues that can aid in creating a positive community within your ensemble. Topics addressed will help instructors grow support within their own program. The last portion of the session will be dedicated to answering questions.
Natalie Szabo
- Biographical Information
The International Clarinet Association Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Committee will support, advocate, promote and develop the ICA’s commitment to nurturing an environment that celebrates equal opportunity for the members and discourages discriminatory practices and treatment. We foster an inclusive community that is representative of the diverse cultures, backgrounds and life experiences of our membership. We honor, represent and respect all clarinetists understanding that traits including race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, ancestry, education, neurodiversity, disability, status as a veteran, marital status, parental status, gender, sexuality, and genetic information provide unique perspectives of what it means to be a clarinetist and add immeasurable value to the global clarinet community.
We support change and development for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access for the global clarinet community. In accordance with our mission of inspiring, educating and serving the global clarinet community, we embrace individual differences and foster equity by eliminating barriers and welcoming new constituencies into the ICA.
Catherine is the upcoming president of the International Clarinet Association and regularly performs with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, the Brandon Chamber Players, the Devil Sticks Clarinet Quartet, and with Victoria Sparks in their percussion and clarinet duo Viðarneisti. Her recent chamber music recordings include the 2021 Western Canadian Music Award Winner 100,000 Lakes (Classical Composer of the Year, T. Patrick Carrabré) and Radio Static (Devil Sticks Clarinet Quartet). She has enjoyed performing with artists such as James Campbell, Buffy Saint-Marie, Colin Carr, James Ehnes, James Sommerville, Marc-Andre Hamelin, and Maesha Brueggergosman.
Dr. Wood is on faculty at Brandon University where she has built a thriving clarinet studio. Her clarinet choir tours annually and was invited to perform several premieres at the 2014 ICA ClarinetFest in Baton Rouge. In 2011, Wood founded the BU Clarinet Festival, an annual event featuring some of the top performers and pedagogues in the world.
Catherine holds a doctorate from Michigan State University. She has studied with Caroline Hartig, Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr, David Etheridge, Naoum Gomon, Charles Neidich, Peter Jenkin, Colin Lawson, and Theodore Oien. Wood serves as President of the International Clarinet Association. She is a Buffet Crampon and Vandoren Paris performing artist.