2007 – Kari Dion, Clarinet, Rockford High School
2007 KCB April Concert Program Notes
Kari Dion, 17, is the
winner of the Kalamazoo Concert Band’s Youth Soloist Competition. A
student of Suzanna Bratton, principal of the Grand Rapids Symphony, for
the past six years, Kari has also taken lessons from Kenneth Grant of
the Eastman School of Music, Richard Hawkins of the Oberlin Conservatory
of Music, Julie DeRoche of DePaul School of Music, Dr. Arthur Campbell
of Grand Valley State University, and John Varineau, the assistant
conductor of the Grand Rapids Symphony.
Kari has performed with many honors bands, including the MSU Honors Band, District 10 Honors Band, the Michigan All-State Band and Orchestra, and the Indiana University Summer Music Clinic’s Orchestra and Band. Kari is currently the principal clarinetist of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and has been a member for two years. She has been the recipient of many scholarships, including the Michigan Competing Band Association Scholarship. As well as being an accomplished musician, Kari is also a nationally ranked dancer and has been competitively dancing for the past 12 years. Kari plans on continuing her studies of clarinet performance in college this fall. The daughter of Pam Dion, Kari attends Rockford High School under the direction of Brian Phillips.
Alex will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Kalamazoo Concert Band and will appear as a guest soloist with the Kalamazoo Concert Band on Saturday, April 25, 2009.