BIOGRAPHY
Kristina Setka is a clarinetist and music educator in Rochester, New York. She has a master’s degree in Music Teaching and Learning from the Eastman School of Music, where she also received her master's in Clarinet Performance and Literature. As a chamber musician, Kristina is the clarinetist in the Eastman Reed Quintet and the Ario Trio and has performed chamber music in community and educational settings since 2009. She has been a member of the Eastman Philharmonia, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, and OSSIA and has performed on clarinet in opera productions with Tri-Cities Opera and the Finger Lakes Opera.
In addition to her active performing schedule, Kristina is a committed music educator. Kristina has a private clarinet studio, and teaches clarinet at The Harley School and the Eastman Community Music School. Kristina has taught clarinet at the Parkminster Music School, mentored clarinetists in the New Horizons Band, and the University of Rochester, where she has created and implemented clarinet curriculum for music educators. Kristina's private clarinet studio is dedicated to adapting and fostering supportive musical experiences for students of varying and unique learning needs. Kristina is committed to teaching clarinet on the basis of musical understanding, and enriching activities in: theory, composition, and improvisation.
As a Teaching Artist for the Ravinia Festival’s El Sistema program, Kristina taught group clarinet lessons, conducted band rehearsals, and led woodwind sectionals. In all of these settings, Kristina is rooted in the commitment to music education for all.
Kristina has been awarded an Eastman School of Music Graduate Teaching Assistantship, the John and Anastasia Graven Endowed Award for Excellence in Music, as well as the Presidential Scholar Award and Music Performance Award at DePaul University, where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in Clarinet Performance. She is also an alumna of Interlochen Arts Academy. Kristina’s principal teachers include Kenneth Grant, Larry Combs, Julie DeRoche, Susan Warner, Deborah Chodacki and Nancy Mathison.
Kristina has performed in master classes for Ricardo Morales, Michel Lethiec, Mark Nuccio and Jon Manasse. Kristina attended the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Summer Institute, the Marrowstone Music Festival, and the Zodiac Festival in Provence, where she made her international solo debut in Chåteauneuf, France. Kristina can be heard on the 2017 Eastman Wind Ensemble album. In addition to music, Kristina is a 300-hour Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher, and enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with her two rescue pups.