Dr. Kim S. Ellis is a native of Rockford, Illinois. She has been principal clarinetist with the Symphony of Southeast Texas since 1990 and is a Buffet Crampon USA performing artists. She is an active performer and clinician at conventions and clinics throughout the United States including the Texas Music Educators Assosication, Festival of Texas Composers, Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium, College Music Society-South Chapter, Sarasota Music Festival, and the University of New Hampshire Chamber Music Festival.
In addition to her work heard on The Music of Copland & McKinley, Dr. Ellis has completed other recordings with Richard Stoltzman, William Thomas McKinley, and clarinetist Michele Gingras for MMC Recordings. She is also slated to record Italian clarinet and piano works with Debra Harder for Centaur Records. Past performances include stints with the C.D. Duo (clarinet and dancer), Woodlands Symphony, Opera Columbus, Columbus Light Opera, Coventry Trio, Keith Brion’s New Sousa Band, and numerous Lamar University faculty chamber ensembles. In her live performance career, Dr. Ellis has premiered works by William Thomas McKinley, Dr. Frank Felice, Dr. Nick Rissman, Dr. Harry Bulow, and Dr. Joe Alexander.
Dr. Ellis is currently a clarinet and saxophone instructor at Lamar University and has received numerous teaching honors including the Lamar University Teaching Merit and Outstanding Teacher Awards. She holds degrees from Illinois Wesleyan University (BME), Bowling Green State University (MM), and Ohio State University (DMA) and has studied with David Peck (Houston Symphony), Jim Pyne (OSU), John Mohler (UM), Edward Marks (BGSU), John McGrosso (IWU), and Ken Stein.
