LEADERSHIP
Nick Davies, founder and artistic director
Nick Davies is the Bass/Utility Clarinet of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Previously, Nick was Principal Clarinet of the Great Falls Symphony and the Chinook Winds, in addition to holding positions as Bass/Utility Clarinet with the Sarasota Opera and Des Moines Metro Opera. He has performed with orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Santa Barbara Symphony. As a soloist, Nick recently performed Frank Ticheli’s Clarinet Concerto alongside the composer, and has performed as a soloist with ensembles such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Antelope Valley Symphony, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, and the USC Wind Ensemble. Other honors include taking First Place in the Pasadena Showcase Competition, and Third Place in Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Mr. Davies has a strong interest in contemporary music and has held past fellowships with Ensemble Modern’s Klangspuren Schwaz, Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, and Spoleto Festival USA. As a composer, his commissions include those from the Houston Grand Opera, Midic Winds, Eureka Ensemble, Webster Trio, and the Chicago Harp Quartet. Nick is the artistic director and founder of the Rossini Club, a chamber music organization based in Nantucket, Massachusetts, which is hosting its eleventh season this year. He holds degrees from Rice University and the University of Southern California.
Ivy Ringel, administrative assistant and webmaster
Ivy Ringel is Principal Bassoon of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Lecturer of Bassoon at Indiana University. Prior to her time in Indianapolis, Ivy was Principal Bassoon of the Atlanta Opera Orchestra and the Des Moines Metro Opera Orchestra. In addition to spending her summers with the Rossini Club, she is joining the Grand Teton Music Festival for their 2024 summer season. Additionally, she is serving on the faculty of the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival, based in Stellenbosch, South Africa, for their 2024 summer season. Ivy has served as guest Principal Bassoon with the Atlanta Symphony, and has joined the orchestras of Houston, Buffalo, Rochester, Louisiana, Jacksonville, Chattanooga, and Syracuse. Ivy is a committed teacher, having previous academic appointments at Butler University and Morehouse College. She has taught masterclasses at the Meg Quigley Bassoon Symposium, Indiana University, Columbus State University and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Ivy is from Hillsborough, North Carolina, where she began music studies on the violin before finding the bassoon in middle school. She attended Rice University (MM) and the Eastman School of Music (BM). Ivy’s primary teachers were Benjamin Kamins, Michael Burns, John Hunt and Charlie Bailey. For more about Ivy, check out her website.