Clarinet fellow Emily Perez-Ojeda is ready to take on the world. After receiving a comprehensive financial aid package, she recently committed to the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Before heading to Ann Arbor this fall, Emily reflected on her musical journey and her transformative experiences with CMPI.
A History of Growth
Like many wind players, Emily’s journey began in her fourth-grade public school band. Recognizing a need for more rigorous training to reach her full potential, she joined the Tuition-Free Conservatory at the Merit School of Music. She describes the transition as a “domino effect,” leading to a string of competition successes, chamber music opportunities, and prestigious summer festival acceptances.
Currently, Emily studies with Susan Warner, assistant principal clarinetist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Emily credits Warner as a pivotal figure in her development. “She was the one who helped me the most in getting ready for college auditions and prescreens. During our weekly lessons we’d talk about what to expect during auditions, we’d go over my repertoire for auditions and she was very supportive,” Emily says “When we neared audition season we would do some mock auditions, which was helpful in giving me a chance to practice performing and being nervous. My teacher has been very great to work with and very helpful.”
Recent Accolades and Experiences
Emily stays busy! In the past few years, she won first runner up in the Merit School of Music Concerto Competition, joined the Merit Philharmonic Orchestra, participated in Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra’s chamber music program, performed twice with the Illinois Honors All State Band, and attended the Brevard Summer Orchestra Institute Program with the financial support of CMPI. She also will participate this month in the Equity Arc Wind Symphony and recently won the Pfaelzer Leadership Award at her Merit School of Music graduation.
CMPI also provided her with the opportunity to participate in numerous masterclasses, including with the principal of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), Stephen Williamson; the principal of the New York Philharmonic, Anthony McGill; and the assistant principal of the CSO, John Bruce Yeh. These sessions provided invaluable feedback and allowed her to learn by observing her peers.
One of her biggest defining musical moments occurred this past summer when she attended the Brevard Music Festival. “I had the opportunity to play principal clarinet in a very fun piece named Polovtsian Dances. At Brevard there is an open concert hall and it is beautiful. During the piece, there is a very big clarinet solo which is very fun to listen to and even more fun to play. That performance felt very magical and the congratulations I received from my colleagues was so nice.” This experience helped her feel confident in her plan to continue music training at the college level.
Advice for Future Students
For younger musicians, Emily emphasizes the importance of early preparation. “It is never too early to start,” she says. “One of the best things you can do is begin your college essay early so that you have a compelling story for admissions officers.”
From a performance standpoint, she advises starting repertoire early to ensure peak performance during auditions. She also highlights the value of performing frequently at recitals to overcome stage fright and connecting directly with professors at prospective schools. Emily found that the combination of CMPI’s hands-on workshops and college counseling was instrumental in navigating both the musical and academic requirements of her applications.
Summer programs have also been particularly influential. “I got guidance from clarinet professors and had a chance to play with many talented musicians that were around my age. It was fun and it helped me with making connections that also helped in my college audition process.”
Beyond the Music
Emily is a huge fan of nature, with hobbies including hiking and fishing. Her family fosters animals, and they currently have eight pets, including four cats and four dogs. Another diversion is playing video games, especially with her friends from CMPI. Finally, her family is very important to her, and she has two sisters, one studying education at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and the other still in high school.
As she prepares for her next chapter at the University of Michigan, Emily is poised to make a significant impact on the collegiate stage and beyond.
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