MusicFest Northwest has had the honor of supporting many artist alumni who sustain valuable and meaningful careers in the arts. Whether pursuing a career as an orchestral musician, an arts educator, or full-time performing military musician, the educational opportunities offered by MusicFest have helped to launch our students on a path towards success and creating a valuable impact in the arts. One such alumnus, Clara Mannino, has given back to her community and to her country, serving as a clarinetist in one of the U.S. Navy Woodwind Quintets. Clara participated in MusicFest between 2006 – 2011 in the Flute division, and again in 2017 in the voice division. In 2011, Clara was awarded the Young Artist gold medal for the Flute Division and performed with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra in concert! Clara remarks that MusicFest “got me into a learning frame of mind” and opened the door to many professional opportunities in the arts. Clara went on to pursue degrees of music from Central Washington University (B.A.) and James Madison University (M.M.). Clara took her passions onward when joining the Naval Academy of Music, and performing with their fleet bands, upholding the mission to represent the Navy in a musical capacity stimulating pride, esprit de corps, retention and recruiting, promoting national and international public relations, and enhancing the prestige of the Navy. Clara says “MusicFest is the reason I am a professional musician, it ignited my desire to pursue a career in music”. We at MusicFest Northwest believe that every individual deserves the opportunities to grow and find their forte in the arts, and we are so proud of Clara Mannino and her accomplishments as a career musician and MusicFest alumnus!

Thanks to Clara, MusicFest has connected with her colleagues in the U.S. Navy bands, who have generously offered to open for the MusicFest Young Artist Concert 2024, highlighting performances from the Navy Woodwind Quintet. The Navy Woodwind Quintet provides musical support for official U.S. government ceremonies, a wide variety of public performances, and educational outreach. The quintet performs many styles, from classical to traditional American music, and provides a wonderful performance experience for audiences of all ages. The Woodwind Quintet features MU 2 Joel Weszka (clarinet), MU3 Jacob Lieberstein (oboe/English horn), MU3 Hannah Thorp (clarinet), MU3 Brady (flute), and MU3 Malmer (bassoon). Festival week in May 2024 will also boast the U.S. Navy Brass Band who will conduct a personalized masterclass on the campus of Gonzaga University on May 14^th. The brass band features powerful voices and colors brought by saxophone, trombones, tuba, trumpet and drums, performing a variety of works including funk, pop, soul, blues and jazz, creating a lively performance atmosphere and energy. The Navy Band Northwest will feature MU2 Ray Carega (drums), MU2 Chandler Davis (saxophone), MU3 Jared Goodrum (saxophone), MU2 John Landis (trumpet), MU2 Wesley Carroll (trumpet), MU2 Leland Matsamura (trombone), MU3 Andrew Taylor (trombone), MU3 Alex Mayhew (trombone), and MU3 Donovan Klutho (tuba).  The quintet will be opening the MusicFest 2024 Young Artist Concert on Thursday, May 16^th, which will feature our selected Young Artist Gold Medal award recipients in performance with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra at the Fox Theater in the heart of downtown Spokane. This will be an electrifying concert, free to the public, featuring some of the regions finest young artists! Join us in this opportunity to connect, create and celebrate the arts!