Kathryne Pirtle
Clarinetist and Executive Director
KATHRYNE PIRTLE is the clarinetist and executive director of the Orion Ensemble, which she founded with pianist Diana Schmuck and violinist Florentina Ramniceanu. In addition, she currently is principal clarinetist of the Lake Forest Symphony. Other orchestral affiliations include the Lyric Opera Orchestra, Ravinia Festival Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Grant Park Symphony.
In 2004, the Hal Leonard Corporation released her solo album of selected Bach unaccompanied cello and violin suites and sonatas transcribed for the clarinet by Himie Voxman. This represents the first time these transcriptions have been presented in a recording by a clarinetist.
Ms. Pirtle has co-authored a book called Performance without Pain, published by New Trends in 2006 (www.performancewithoutpain.com). This book focuses on the modern dietary influences in common inflammatory and degenerative conditions in musicians, athletes, dancers and the general public. It presents a highly effective solution to healing that utilizes nutrient-dense, enzyme-rich, traditional foods. She presents lectures with Dr. John Turner, DC, CCSP, DIBCN on this topic.
Kathryne maintains a private studio, coaches chamber music, gives master classes in clarinet performance and pedagogy, and lectures on artist career development and organizational development of not- for-profit chamber music groups. She is currently on the staff of the Conservatory of Music at Wheaton College, in Wheaton, Illinois, and teaches in the Chicago suburbs at Hinsdale South High School. In addition, she has served on the faculties of Northern Illinois University, Bradley University, Indiana University and New Trier High School.
Ms. Pirtle studied extensively for 10 years with Larry Combs, principal clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She trained with the Chicago Civic Orchestra from 1985-1988, and created a free chamber music series at the Skokie Public Library from 1988-1990. Ms. Pirtle was a fellow with the Chicago Chamber Musicians from 1989-1991.