Larkin Sanders

Dr. Larkin Sanders is a native of Branson, Missouri and currently lives in Kansas City, Missouri where she works as the Director of Marketing and Community Engagement for the Friends of Chamber Music, is the Secretary of the American Single Reed Summit,  maintains a private clarinet studio, and performs with Xiphias Trio and other various ensembles. Most notably, Larkin is the founder, executive-artistic director, and a clarinetist of the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra, a summer music festival in Branson, Missouri. Dr. Sanders is also a Woodwind Method Clinician for D’Addario Woodwinds, for which she frequently gives masterclasses and lectures.  She is also a Selmer Paris Artist and performs on Selmer Présence clarinets in addition to D’Addario Reserve mouthpieces and Reserve Classic reeds.

In addition to her activities as a clarinetist, teacher, and administrator, Dr. Sanders is also a composer who has a fondness for songs and unique chamber ensembles.  Larkin has had her works performed in a variety of settings. Her works are inspired by the talents of her friends and colleagues, and the genres of her works span from chamber operettas, art songs, children’s music, and more.

Dr. Sanders  recently completed her Doctor of Music degree in clarinet performance and a certificate in arts administration at Florida State University.  At FSU, she has studied clarinet with Dr. Frank Kowalsky and Dr. Deborah Bish. Larkin also holds a master of music degree from Michigan State University where she studied clarinet with Dr. Justin O’Dell and composition with Dr. Ricardo Lorenz.  Previously, she earned her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Kansas while studying clarinet with Dr. Stephanie Zelnick and Dr. Larry Maxey.

​In addition to her exciting musical activities, Dr. Sanders is also an avid craftswoman and enjoys sewing, furniture rehab, and other creative activities.  In her free time, she enjoys creating things, reading, and spending time with her Norwegian forest cat, Miles, and her borador pup, Miko.