“We are never finished learning.”
The department is pleased to welcome Dr. David Allen as lecturer of clarinet this fall! Dr. Allen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Music from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Dr. Allen is principal clarinet of the Western Piedmont Symphony and the Carolina Philharmonic. He has performed with the Greensboro, Winston Salem, Roanoke, North Carolina, Spartanburg, and Asheville symphonies and for operas with the North Carolina Opera and the Pittsburgh Opera. In addition to teaching, he is personnel manager for the Western Piedmont Symphony in Hickory, NC.
In his spare time, Dr. Allen enjoys refacing clarinet mouthpieces, reading, walking, and baking. He lives in Greensboro with his partner and their cat, Figaro. Get to know him more through the short interview below!
UNC Music: What courses are you teaching this coming fall?
Dr. David Allen: I’ll be teaching applied music, aka. individual clarinet lessons.
What is your favorite part of teaching and what are you looking forward to most coming to UNC?
Dr. Allen: My favorite part of teaching is seeing the students improve and use their new knowledge and skills. I also enjoy learning myself through teaching and from the students. I am looking forward to working with the students at UNC and with the UNC faculty.
If your students could learn one thing from you, what do you hope it will be?
Dr. Allen: We are never finished learning, and continuing to learn can bring a lot of joy.
What music are you currently listening to?
Dr. Allen: I’ve been listening to all the orchestral repertoire I will be playing this coming year. Lots of variety!