NDSU Woodwind Day 2025

Stephanie Carlson, oboe and bassoon

Murray State University

Dr. Stephanie Carlson is Assistant Professor of Oboe and Bassoon at Murray State University in Murray, KY. Previously, she served as Instructor of Oboe at Concordia College Moorhead. She has also served on the faculties of Minnesota State University Moorhead, the Atlanta Music Academy, the Encore! Music Camp, and the International Music Camp. As an orchestral musician, Dr. Carlson served as second oboist and English hornist with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony from 2014-2023. She has also performed with the Paducah Symphony, Jackson (TN) Symphony, the Augusta Symphony, Charleston Symphony, and the GAMAC Chamber Orchestra, among others. She is a regular recitalist at conferences of the International Double Reed Society and has also performed or presented at conferences of the International Clarinet Association, the College Music Society National Conference, and the Music by Women Festival. As a dedicated teacher who is passionate about educational outreach, she is active nationally as a clinician and has performed for thousands of K-12 students with the Concordia Wind Quintet through the Minnesota Public Radio Class Notes Artists program. She is currently oboist with the Larkspur Reed Trio (oboe, English Horn, and clarinet), a professional chamber music ensemble and nonprofit organization that presents recitals and educational programs across the United States. Dr. Carlson holds degrees from the University of Georgia and the Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music.

Katrina Clements, clarinet

McNeese State University

Dr. Katrina Clements is newly appointed Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana where she teaches applied clarinet and saxophone, woodwind methods, and chamber music. Clements plays clarinet/bass clarinet with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra and has recently joined the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra as principal clarinet. During the summers, she teaches at the Minnesota Clarinet Academy and the International Music Camp. Previously, she was the Assistant Professor of Woodwinds at Valley City State University in North Dakota. 

As a proponent of creative collaborations across art disciplines, her current work focuses on commissioning and performing new pieces for clarinet and multimedia that include visuals to create deeper sensory experiences for audiences. She also performs as a founding member of the ‘Vive Ensemble, clarinet and trumpet duo. Recent performances, premieres, and lectures include the International ClarinetFest® in Dublin, the Low Clarinet Festival in Arizona, the International Duo Symposium, the College Music Society Regional Conferences, Oh My Ears New Music Festival, and presentations for studios across the US. 

Clements received the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from Arizona State University and is a Henri SELMER Paris/Conn-Selmer performing Artist.

Christopher Kocher, saxophone

University of South Dakota

C.J. Kocher is Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at the University of South Dakota. He is active as both a classical and jazz saxophonist. He has performed with the South Dakota Symphony, Sioux City Symphony, Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, and others. With pianist Ryan Frane he formed the Frane-Kocher Duo, performing jazz standards and original music. He also performs with the Sempre Saxophone Quartet and is a member of the Kocher Duo with his wife Stephanie (flute and saxophone). Kocher has premiered new works at World Saxophone Congresses and North American Saxophone Alliance events. He has toured Japan three times, playing lead alto with the Billy Vaughn Orchestra. He has also played with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Frank Mantooth, Matt Wilson, Steve Wiest, Denis DiBlasio, Al Jarreau, and others. He regularly performs with the Jazzed Up Big Band, JAS Little Big Band, Public Domain Tune Band, and various other groups. He is also the musical director and lead alto for the Fellowship Jazz Center Orchestra in Sioux Falls. Kocher completed the Doctor of Arts degree at the University of Northern Colorado and also holds degrees from Wichita State University and Washburn University. 

Stephanie Kocher, flute

University of South Dakota

Stephanie Kocher is the Flute Instructor for The University of South Dakota, and is active as a private teacher, adjudicator, clinician, and performer.  She holds Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Flute Performance from Washburn University and a Masters of Music degree in Flute Performance from Wichita State University.  Private teachers include Peter Verhoyen, Dr. Frances Shelley, Elizabeth Singleton, and Ronn and Sylvia Boyd. In addition, she has performed in master classes with Lois Bliss Herbine, Nicola Mazzanti, Jan Gippo, Michel Debost, and James Walker, and has worked with Gary Schocker.

Kocher is the piccoloist for the Sioux City Symphony, performs with the South Dakota Chamber Winds, and with the Kocher Duo with husband C.J. Kocher on saxophone.  She resides in Vermillion, South Dakota with husband C.J. and children Ivy and Lars.