Susan Hoekstra, Musician
Susan earned the Master of Music degree from Michigan State University and the Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Colorado in clarinet performance. Her principal teachers have included Larry Combs, Bil Jackson, Ted Oien, Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr, and she has worked with Richard Stoltzman, John Bruce Yeh and Charlie Neidich.
As an orchestral performer, Susan has performed with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, Flint Symphony Orchestra, Lansing Symphony, Traverse Symphony Orchestra, Holland Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Adrian Symphony Orchestra, and Toledo Symphony Concert Band, amongst others. She has soloed with the Lansing Concert Band, Concordia University Wind Ensemble, Albion College Orchestra, Jackson Symphony Orchestra, and Keweenaw Symphony Orchestras and regularly performs chamber music and faculty recitals.
A winner in the Ft. Collin’s Symphony’s Young Artist’s Competition and a finalist in both the William C. Byrd Young Artist Competition and the International Clarinet Competition she has also performed at the Irving Wassermen and Bowdoin Summer Music Festivals and in recital with the Monarch String Quartet, the New World String Quartet and their cellist, Ross Harbaugh.
As an educator, she has been on the music faculties of Albion and Alma Colleges, Bowling Green State University, Concordia University, MSU’s Community Music School, Interlochen Arts Camp, Spring Arbor University, and served as a MSBOA Solo and Ensemble Adjudicator.
As a songwriter, she was a finalist in the Great Lakes Songwriting Competition and the GMA Songwriter Discovery Panel, including a special song written to honor the Larry Nassar victims.
Equally at home behind the stage, Susan has served as an administrative consultant for a number of arts organizations as well as being Director of Public Events for Bowling Green State University’s College of Music, General Manager of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, and Graduate Advisor for Michigan State University. She teaches privately, freelances in Northern Michigan, and performs with Grace Reflections, a clarinet/piano duo performing at weddings, fundraisers, conferences and other special events.