Nancy Williams is an amazing individual to work with. Not only does she put herself into her work 110% but she does it with such grace and joy. She makes anything an enjoyable experience, whether it's rehearsal, a lesson, a coaching, or an excerpts class. I have personally learned how to improve my own playing from her natural ability to teach even in casual situations. She has amazing attention to detail and is always looking to learn while teaching others.”

— Shelby Severance

Previous events

Before 2020, finding scores for past compositions by women for clarinet proved challenging. Research during the pandemic resulted in the collecting and marketing of women’s music for a variety of medium, including clarinet and piano. Dr. Nancy Williams, clarinet, and Anne Breeden, piano, enjoy celebrating this music and exposing audiences to the extraordinary women who wrote these well-crafted pieces. Selections include compositions by the first-known professional woman clarinetist and the first composition by a woman to be selected for the Paris Conservatory competition, as well as Williams’s original composition “Unequivocal.” Several selections of this recital repertoire were selected to be performed by Dr. Williams at the 2023 International Music by Women Festival, the 2023 International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest, and the upcoming 2024 ClarinetFest in Dublin.

Pre-sale discount no longer available. Tickets can be purchased on site. Doors open at 7:00. Students free.

South Dakota Arts Council support is provided with funds from the State of South Dakota, through the Department of Tourism, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

“Unbound” is a recital of instrumental music and art song celebrating women through music, including settings of Emile Brontė poetry, music by women composers, women’s stories in song, and the world premiere of Williams’s “A Modern Witch.” Featuring Dr. Nancy Williams, clarinet; Anne Breeden, piano; and Angela Mitchell, soprano voice

Free and open to the public. South Dakota Arts Council support is provided with funds from the State of South Dakota, through the Department of Tourism, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Performance Artist and Teacher

Clarinet and Woodwinds

Having performed classical clarinet throughout the US, Europe, and Australia, I've also played jazz tenor with The Four Tops and The Temptations.  Romani jazz clarinet is my current obsession.

I love performing and teaching diverse styles of music! 

Interested in lessons? 

Author

My book "Woodwind Improvisatory Techniques of the Classical Era: A Pedagogy Method" was published in November of 2021 and helps teachers, students, and performers learn how to incorporate cadenzas, Eingange, and melodic elaborations into their Classical solos.

Check out my blogposts on leadership topics by selecting the "Blog" tab, and sign up for weekly messages of inspiration and a link to the recent blogposts at the "Newsletter" tab.

In-Person or Remote

Clinician, Lecturer, Adjudicator

Recent lecture topics have included leadership and culture building in band programs, classical improvisation, and women composers, in addition to clarinet performance topics, masterclasses, and lecture recitals.

Contact me about residencies or customized lectures for your group or organization through the "Contact" tab.

Composer , Arranger, and Conductor

Original Compositions and Clarinet Choir Arrangements

I'd been arranging for clarinet choirs for years before being commissioned to write an original band piece in 2017. I've since composed for gamelan ensemble, clarinet duet, voice, reed quintet, and a reed trio.  

Sheet music is available for digital download here, with select selections at JW Pepper and CamCo Music.

Leadership Coach for Musicians

High Performance Leadership

I help overachievers create more joy and empowerment through my proprietary leadership method.  Through this program, clients learn self-leadership, have better work/life balance, and increase productivity and creativity.

I specialize in coaching musicians with imposter syndrome, self-esteem, and confidence issues.

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