2025 Woodwind Summit

Oboe

 Performing artist and music educator Mark Sophia is 35 years old and is from Horseheads, NY. He has graduated from the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY in 2012 with a B.M. in music performance, and the Manhattan School of Music with an M.M. in music performance in 2014. Mark also studied Music Education at Columbia Teacher’s College where he earned an Ed.M. in Music Education. He has been a New York City freelancer for thirteen years and has played with a great variety of professional groups including the New York City Ballet, many Broadway shows, and The Orchestra of St. Luke’s. From September 2018 up until the pandemic shutdown, Mark has played Oboe and English horn in over 400 shows on the North American Broadway tour of Miss Saigon. Mark is currently performing full time on the North American Broadway tour of Les Miserables. 

Clarinet

Elizabeth Hanlon has been Adjunct Professor of Clarinet at the State University of New York at Fredonia since 2011, and at Canisius College since 2013. She joined the faculty at Fredonia after serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and earning a Master of Music degree in Clarinet Performance at Wichita State University. While studying at WSU, she held the Konrad Wolff & Isle Bing Chamber Music Fellowship. Professor Hanlon earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Clarinet Performance and an additional degree in Music Business from the State University of New York at Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, and graduated summa cum laude. An active musician in the region, She performs with the Buffalo Chamber Players, Erie Philharmonic, and the Western New York Chamber Orchestra. In addition to her work with established ensembles, she also produces unique, singular concerts in the area at venues such as Artpark in Lewiston, NY, and Pausa Art House in Buffalo. In these concerts, a central focus is to present works from contemporary composers. While studying at Wichita State University, she performed with the Wichita Symphony, and participated in two chamber groups that won first prize in the prestigious Wolff-Bing Chamber Music Competition in both 2009 and 2010. One of these groups, Trio Frenetique, also won first prize in the Friends Cello Day Competition in 2008. Additional chamber music competition appearances include advancement to the semi-finals at the NaIzger Young Artist Competition in 2009, and a performance at the 9th Street Philharmonic Orchestra Young Artist Competition in Wichita. Professor Hanlon works extensively as a woodwind and brass repair technician. She also enjoys hiking, cooking, spinning, and has participated in several half marathons. 

Clarinet

Sam Forrester graduated from the Crane School of Music in 2019 with dual bachelor degrees in Music Education and Clarinet Performance. He started his career as an educator in Afton NY, teaching band to grades 6-12 before moving to the Hudson Valley, where he now teaches band to grades 6-8 at Marlboro Middle School. Alongside his life as an educator, Sam continues to perform in musical pits, jazz bands, and his local community band, the Southern Dutchess Concert Band. When not teaching or performing, he likes to spend his time playing D&D and teaching tricks to his cats, Tiny and Tim. Sam’s primary clarinet instructor was Dr. Christine Hoerning. 

String Bass

Kieran J. Hanlon is Associate Professor of Double Bass and Jazz at The State University of New York at Fredonia. In addition to his teaching, Kieran is a first call performer in both the classical and jazz idioms, and enjoys a diverse performing career in both genres (among others). Kieran performs on both acoustic and electric basses. He completed a Master of Music Degree in Double Bass Performance at the Eastman School of Music with Professor of Double Bass James VanDemark. He also completed Eastman’s Orchestral Studies Program, in which he worked as a playing intern for two seasons with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Kieran’s undergraduate studies were completed at The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance where he studied classical repertoire with Professors Diana Gannett and Stephen Molina and jazz with Professor Robert Hurst. He holds a B.M. in Double Bass Performance and a B.F.A. in Jazz Studies, Bass from Michigan. He also won third place in the Orchestral Competition at the International Society of Bassists 2013 Convention in Rochester, NY. An active orchestral performer, he serves as Principal Bass of the Erie Philharmonic, Section Bassist in the Chautauqua Symphony, and works as a substitute double bassist with the Cleveland Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Rochester Philharmonic. He has toured to Carnegie Hall with the Buffalo Philharmonic, and recorded Reinhold Gliere’s Symphony No. 3 “Il’ya Muromets” with the orchestra for the Naxos label. Outside of the music world, Kieran enjoys spending time with his wife Liz (clarinet faculty at Fredonia), daughter Eva, their greyhound Jay, working on his house and vehicles, biking, hiking, spending time near Lake Erie, and quality time in fellowship with good friends and colleagues.