About Me!
Hello! My name is Ricky Latham and I am a recent Master of Music graduate from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio under the direction of Professor Kevin Schempf. I received my Bachelor of Music from the University of Northern Iowa, under the tutelage of Dr. Amanda McCandess. I am currently pursuing my Doctor of Music degree at Michigan State University, where I am continuing to learn and further develop my skills as a performer, teacher, and ambassador to all music learners.
I am an avid fan of chamber music, and I have recently performed works by Thanakarn Schofield, Jean-Patrick Besingrand, Joey Miller, and more with the New Music Ensemble at BGSU! I am based out of the East Lansing, Michigan area and I love teaching private lessons to students of all ages, backgrounds, and skill level. My mission is to bring accessibility to everyone, whether that be with private lessons, quality instruments, or repair.
I aim at the highest level to motivate my students and help them achieve their goals to the best of their ability, while empowering their musical creativity. My teaching style is pedagogically based in natural creative freedom, where I instill the basic fundamentals of clarinet playing through creative and outside-the-box thinking.
I am looking forward to working with you and helping you on your clarinet journey!
"While at BGSU, Ricky’s work with me has been in the BGSU Wind Symphony, the top tier ensemble in our curricular structure. He performs at a very high level, both musically and technically, and his work involved both large and small ensemble repertoire. Repertoire performed included works by composers such as Adam Schoenberg, Juan Pablo Contreras, Mason Bates and Omar Thomas. My firsthand observations of his performance skills allow me to easily place him in the top group of graduate students with whom I have worked. Through his involvement in many activities, Ricky has shown an ability to manage time effectively. This is realized through documented excellence in several areas, both musically and through a wide range of additional responsibilities. This includes serving as the clarinet studio graduate assistant, working with undergraduate students as a chamber ensemble coach, and teaching private lessons. In addition to this, he is a strong academic student, having remained on the Dean’s Academic List throughout his undergraduate studies, and continuing the earn high marks at the graduate level."
- Dr. Kenneth Thompson