Jennifer Gerth Biography

JENNIFER GERTH

JENNIFER GERTH IS IN HER 24TH SEASON AS PRINCIPAL CLARINET OF THE DULUTH SUPERIOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

A substitute with the Minnesota Orchestra since 1995, she has performed with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Opera, VocalEssence, and in orchestras for touring Broadway shows, and ballet companies. Jennifer has a BA degree from St. Olaf College in music and mathematics, an MM degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and was a DMA candidate at the University of Minnesota (1992-1995), studying with Burt Hara.

During her DMA she was a concerto competition winner, performing the Debussy Rhapsody with the University of Minnesota Orchestra. In 1999 she was a founding member of the Prospect Park Players, a chamber music group that was active in the Twin Cities for seven years. Jennifer continues her love for chamber music playing at the Festival of the Lakes chamber music festival in Alexandria, MN. Jennifer is a passionate teacher of clarinet students of all ages. She is currently in her 30th year of collegiate teaching and has taught at St. Olaf College, St. Cloud State University and College of St. Benedict. She currently teaches at the University of Minnesota, the University of St. Thomas, University of Wisconsin-Superior, and maintains a private studio.

When not playing or teaching clarinet, Jennifer can be found running, doing yoga, cooking, sewing, gardening, chasing chickens or hatching monarch butterflies. Her most important job is being mother to her sons Raef and Riley, who will both be in college next year. She’s looking forward to a post-pandemic world where she can travel and go on adventures with her husband, Bill.

Jennifer thanks the DSSO for nearly a quarter of a century of great musical memories……and to faithful 25-year carpool-mates Claudia, Larry, and Steve… I love you to the moon!