Abbey Atwater is an active freelancing clarinetist based in Chicago, IL. Originally from Waukesha, WI, Abbey began playing clarinet at age eleven with the aid of her great-aunt, Susan Powers, who had previously played clarinet in the United States Air Force. 

 

Abbey has had many significant musical accomplishments. Solo performances include Carl Maria von Weber’s Concertino with the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band in 2015 and Michael Daugherty’s Brooklyn Bridge with the Lawrence University Wind Ensemble in 2019. She has ranked highly and received recognition in several competitions, including being a finalist in the Lawrence University Symphony Orchestra’s Concerto Competition in 2017 and 2018, and runner-up in Temple University’s Student Soloist Competition in 2019. Abbey has attended multiple music festivals which include the Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy in 2016, the Monteux School & Music Festival in 2019, and National Music Festival in 2022. In the professional audition scene, Abbey has been a semi-finalist in principal clarinet auditions held by the Hartford Symphony, Arkansas Symphony, and Lexington Philharmonic. 

 

Having performed with a variety of ensembles out East and in the Midwest, Abbey has played a diverse array of repertoire. At both universities she attended, she regularly performed in their top orchestras and wind ensembles, having held principal positions in all as well as frequently playing Eb soprano, bass, and contrabass clarinets. She has also performed several works with new music ensembles. An avid chamber musician, Abbey has been a member of many exceptional chamber ensembles. Most prominent include a wind trio, MaGmA trio (clarinet, violin, and piano), and reed quintet, SLAAM. Additionally, Abbey has performed in master classes for renowned artists such as Julian Bliss, David Shifrin, Stephen Williamson, John Yeh, and Imani Winds. She has performed with many professional and community ensembles such as the Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony, Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey, Chicago Clarinet Ensemble, Wisconsin Philharmonic, and LaCrosse Symphony.

​

Abbey holds her M.M. in clarinet performance from Temple University where she studied with Paul Demers of the Philadelphia Orchestra and was the recipient of the Emily and Arthur Crosby Award in 2021. Prior, she graduated cum laude with her B.M. from Lawrence University where she majored in clarinet performance, studying with David Bell, and minored in psychology and woodwind pedagogy. Other clarinet instructors she has studied with include Dan Roberdeau, Orlando Pimentel, and Rose Sperrazza. While in school, Abbey was affiliated with and held leadership positions in numerous professional organizations. She was the secretary of Mortar Board's Iota Chapter during her senior year of undergrad and served as the Personnel Manager for Temple University's student-run Repertory Orchestra. A proud rose, Abbey was the Recording Secretary for two years in Sigma Alpha Iota's Xi Chapter and was a member of the Philadelphia Alumnae chapter for two years.

​

Abbey aspires to perform in a symphony orchestra, but is very multi-interested, wanting also to perform in opera and ballet pits, military bands, contemporary ensembles, or tour with a chamber ensemble, teaching among all these performance endeavors. Since 2023, Abbey has served on faculty for various El-Sistema inspired teaching organizations in Philadelphia and Chicago, offering valuable musical opportunities to underserved schools. This includes Play On Philly, Tune Up Philly, and Music in Urban Schools Inspiring Change. Across these organizations, she has taught clarinet, flute, saxophone, oboe, and recorder. In early 2025, Abbey joined the team of Overture Games which blends games and activities with general music theory to create fun and immersive after school music classes.

 

When not immersed in her musical studies, Abbey enjoys baking, crafting, and going on walks along the Lake Shore trail.