hannah webb

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biography:

Hannah is a sophomore at Northwestern, pursuing a dual degree in engineering and clarinet performance. She studies under Stephen Williamson, Principal Clarinet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Todd Levy, Principal Clarinet of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, at the Bienen School of Music.

She began playing clarinet at age nine in a public school program in Santa Monica and studied privately for eight years with Amanda Walker. Early opportunities in local ensembles like Elemental Band and SMMUSD Honor Band sparked her passion, and by 6th grade, she was immersed in the John Adams Middle School music program. The skills Hannah built with Amanda Walker, combined with the high standards set by her middle school director Angela Woo, fueled her drive to grow as a musician.

She was selected to perform with the California All-State Ensembles for six consecutive years, earning first chair statewide in 8th, 10th, and 12th grade, performing principal parts in works like Scheherazade, Hebrides Overture, and Danzón No. 2. Hannah found joy in performing with youth orchestras such as the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra (LAYO) and Colburn Sinfonietta. Highlights with LAYO include playing principal clarinet on Beethoven's Sixth in 8th grade and Sibelius' Second in Carnegie Hall in 10th. With Colburn, she was featured in a hand-selected woodwind quintet, performing works of Ibert and Nielsen, and served as principal on Beethoven's Eroica with the Sinfonietta in 12th grade.

Over high school summers, Hannah attended programs at Idyllwild Arts and Boston University Tanglewood Institute. In a mock audition at Tanglewood's two-week clarinet intensive, David Martins, renowned clarinet pedagogue, and Christopher Elchico, second clarinetist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, described the opening of Hannah's Mozart Clarinet Concerto as the “most captivating” of the pool. The summer before her senior year, Hannah advanced to the final round of the International Clarinet Association's High School Solo Competition, and performed live in Denver for a panel of international professionals. She placed first for the United States and fourth globally.

Hannah is grateful to Amanda Walker, whose belief in her shaped both her musicianship and confidence. Hannah describes playing music as "something that will always be one of [her] greatest joys."

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