Shauna McDonald

Shauna McDonald joined the Ottawa Symphony as principal clarinetist in September 2008, at the same time becoming a member of the clarinet faculty at the University of Ottawa. She also performs frequently with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. In September 2009, Shauna began coaching the Senior Wind Ensemble at the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy. Shauna began her clarinet study with Stephen Robb in Vancouver, B.C. Her first orchestral experience was with the Delta Youth Orchestra, with whom she performed the Johann Stamitz Concerto at age 16. She subsequently played and toured with the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra until graduating high school. Shauna then moved to Montreal to study clarinet at McGill University with Robert Crowley. After finishing her degree in performance, Shauna was offered a full scholarship to pursue a Master's degree in Performance with Larry Combs at DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois. While there, Shauna won the principal clarinet chair in the DePaul Symphony Orchestra. She also performed and recorded with DePaul's top chamber group during both years. In 2008, DePaul conferred on Shauna the degree of Master of Music Performance, with honors. Shauna has been a two time prize winner in the Elora Music Festival, has performed the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with the Pembroke Symphony Orchestra and several concerts at the Ottawa International Chamberfest. She has presented masterclasses for the National Arts Centre Master Musician program and keeps a full private studio. Shauna has played with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and L'Orchestre de la Francophonie, and under the batons of Pinkas Zukerman, Yoav Talmi, Bramwell Tovey, and Paul Nadler. She has performed throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe. She can be heard on CBC broadcasts with NACO, NYOC, OFC and the McGill Contemporary Ensemble.