Caren Vittetoe Clarinet Studio

Caren Vittetoe has a Bachelor of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music in NYC and a Master of Music Degree from the University of Nebraska. Her principal teacher was Ricardo Morales, current Principal Clarinetist in the Philadelphia Orchestra. 

Caren has performed professionally all over the country in many orchestras and ensembles, such as the Omaha and Lincoln Symphonies, the Honolulu Symphony, the Royal Hawaiian Band, and the Ocmulgee Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed as a chamber musician and soloist, a pit musician in musical theatre, and worked as a clinician in many different places. Caren served for 7 years in the United States Air Force, as Principal Clarinet in the Heartland of America Band. Currently, she performs with the Saint Louis Wind Symphony and the Edwardsville Symphony, as a soloist and chamber musician, and as a substitute player for the USAF Band of Mid America. 

In addition to her experience as a performer, she has taught as a private instructor for over 20 years, and has had 10 years of experience in the classroom as an early childhood music educator. Caren also has experience as a college instructor, and as adjunct faculty at the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE. For 3 years, she co-directed a Clarinet Summer Camp at Mercer University’s Townsend School of Music. She has taught in 5 different states and has been very successful in helping many students achieve honors in All-State, college scholarships/auditions, and competitions. 

Currently, Caren serves on the faculty of Kaskaskia College's music department as a Woodwinds professor and also teaches general education music courses.  She has been teaching privately in the St Louis metro area since 2013. She has been an adjudicator for ILMEA, and the Mid-America Music Association festival. Caren actively conducts clinics and masterclasses in area schools.  

Most recently, Caren resumed her military music career by enlisting in the Air National Guard and serves as a clarinetist with the Air National Guard Band of the Midwest, stationed in Peoria, IL.  In addition to playing her clarinet and teaching, Caren is wife to David and a mom of 3 kids.