About Kristen
Clarinetist Kristen Grattan Sheridan has dedicated her career to teaching. In 2001 she established the Sheridan Studio of Music in Fairfax, VA and has consistently maintained a roster of 50 students. Her students regularly earn top positions in district, regional, and state ensembles, gain admission to prestigious summer programs, receive scholarships to study music at the collegiate level, and go on to become music educators and professional clarinetists. She is in demand as an adjudicator, guest clinician, recitalist, lecturer, and freelance performer on the East Coast.
An exciting and engaging clinician, Kristen is an Adjunct Professor of Woodwinds at George Mason University, the woodwind advisor for the Virginia Winds Academy, and is the weekly clarinet specialist for ten middle and high school bands in Fairfax County, VA. She co-founded the Sewanee Clarinet Academy, is the sectional teacher at Vienna Band Camp, is a sponsored artist for Backun Musical Services and D’Addario Woodwinds, and was a D’Addario Woodwind Method Program clinician. She has been a guest on music education and business podcasts, presented clinics at universities and state music education conferences.
Kristen strongly believes that private studio teaching is a viable career path for talented musicians. Using her business acumen, deep musical knowledge, and genuine interest in the success of others, she has mentored many aspiring teachers in the musical, business, and educational aspects of establishing and growing their own successful studios.
Kristen earned her Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance at the University of Michigan as a scholarship student of Fred Ormand, a member of the Symphony Band under H. Robert Reynolds, and the winner of the University Concerto Competition. She earned her Master of Music in Clarinet Performance at the Manhattan School of Music in New York as a scholarship student of Ricardo Morales and is an alumna of the Sewanee and Aspen Summer Music Festivals. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering.
An exciting and engaging clinician, Kristen is an Adjunct Professor of Woodwinds at George Mason University, the woodwind advisor for the Virginia Winds Academy, and is the weekly clarinet specialist for ten middle and high school bands in Fairfax County, VA. She co-founded the Sewanee Clarinet Academy, is the sectional teacher at Vienna Band Camp, is a sponsored artist for Backun Musical Services and D’Addario Woodwinds, and was a D’Addario Woodwind Method Program clinician. She has been a guest on music education and business podcasts, presented clinics at universities and state music education conferences.
Kristen strongly believes that private studio teaching is a viable career path for talented musicians. Using her business acumen, deep musical knowledge, and genuine interest in the success of others, she has mentored many aspiring teachers in the musical, business, and educational aspects of establishing and growing their own successful studios.
Kristen earned her Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance at the University of Michigan as a scholarship student of Fred Ormand, a member of the Symphony Band under H. Robert Reynolds, and the winner of the University Concerto Competition. She earned her Master of Music in Clarinet Performance at the Manhattan School of Music in New York as a scholarship student of Ricardo Morales and is an alumna of the Sewanee and Aspen Summer Music Festivals. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering.
