Gentry Ragsdale is a freelance clarinetist near Denver, Colorado. She is also a woodwind specialist, playing and teaching the flute, oboe, saxophone, bassoon, and clarinet around the Denver metroplex.
M.M. in Clarinet Performance, University of North Texas, studied with Dr. John Scott
- Cognate: Ethnomusicology
- Additional studies in flute with Jan Crisanti, former principal of Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
B.M. in Music Education, UT Arlington, studied with Deborah Fabian
Previous instruction:
- Clarinet: Andrew Crisanti, former principal of Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Deborah Fabian, of the Dallas Wind Symphony, and Dr. Carol Jessup
- Flute: Dr. Sarah Frisof
- Oboe: Kaycee Thomas
- Saxophone: Tim Ishii
- Bassoon: Dr. Scott Pool
CU Boulder Wind Ensemble 2022
Andy Crisanti, Gentry, Greg Raden UNT Wind Symphony clarinets 2017
Performance
2022: Clarinet in the University of Colorado Wind Ensemble under Dr. Donald McKinney. Clarinet in the Flatiron Wind Ensemble under Fransisco Borja-Prieto. Flute/clarinet soloist at Sacred Heart of Jesus, Boulder.
2021: Clarinet in Toccare Winds under Nancy Davis
2019: Flute/clarinet/saxophone soloist at First Christian Church, Weston. Musicals: Guyer HS production of “Elf–The Musical,” substitute musician on flute, clarinet, oboe, tenor saxophone book.
2018: Clarinet in UNT Wind Symphony under Eugene Migliaro Corporon, clarinet duet with Julia Warrick. Alto vocalist and flute/clarinet at Gainesville Baptist Church. Musicals: Greater Lewisville Community Theatre’s “Will Rogers Follies,” flute/picc, clarinet, alto saxophone book.
2017-16: Clarinet, in UNT Wind Symphony under Eugene Migliaro Corporon, member of clarinet quartet, clarinet trio, woodwind trio, and local DFW woodwind octet. Flute in UNT flute choir.
2015: Eb clarinet for Metropolitan Winds, 2nd oboe for New Texas Symphony Orchestra
2014: 2nd oboe at First Baptist Dallas
2013-12: Flute/oboe at Burchman Baptist Church, clarinet in Metropolitan Winds under Randol Bass.
2011-07: Clarinet in UT-Arlington’s Wind Symphony, Orchestra, clarinet choir. Saxophone in the 2nd jazz band, university saxophone quartet, and MavBrass Basketball Band. Flute in university flute choir. Bass clarinet in UTA Wind Sympony, UTA Orchestra, Texas Wesleyan University band. Eb clarinet in UTA Orchestra. Pit experience: UT-Arlington’s “Cabaret,” flute, clarinet, alto saxophone book.
MavBrass saxes Cabaret
Teaching and Judging
At CU Boulder, Gentry teaches “Introduction to Student Teaching” and woodwind methods courses. She was recently awarded the Graduate and Professional Student Government 2022 Teaching Excellence Award.
Before her PhD, Gentry taught band in the DFW metroplex for almost a decade. She started a band program at the Montessori Academy of Arlington, then taught in award-winning Wills Point, TX, as head director of the junior high feeder program. Before pursuing her Phd studies, she was teaching at Anna ISD.
Her woodwind students, including double reeds, have won many region, area, and state competitions under TMEA and ATSSB. She has judged various region and area competitions and Solo and Ensemble events and is always willing to judge or provide master classes.
If interested in taking lessons on the flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, or bassoon, please send an email. Ms. Ragsdale is also available as a clinician, judge, or guest artist. She gives woodwind master classes and enjoys participating in mouthpiece testing beginners.
Gentry resides in Superior, Colorado and is working on her PhD in Music Education at The University of Colorado at Boulder. She is the loving owner of a sweet black cat and has dear memories of her recently departed horse, Boots (he lived for 33 years!). Her hobbies include running, reading mystery novels and Classics, and any outdoor activity.
Gentry Music - Woodwind Specialist 