On this episode Austin talks with Dr. Larkin Sanders, DMA, a versatile musician and businesswoman based in Kansas City. From her familial echoes of music that shaped her to the bold strides into the entrepreneurial realm, Larkin's journey speaks to the resilience and determination that it takes to carve a path for yourself in today's 21st century landscape.

In this episode, we delve into the practicalities of making a career shift that fills both our personal passion and the marketplace needs. She eloquently recounts her move from the academic to the entrepreneurial world, navigating through the saturated clarinet market towards the creation of her unique ventures—the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra and the Clever Clarinetist retail shop. Larkin's journey to building her career in music demonstrates just one of the many ways that one can harmonize teaching, performing, and business.

Hear Larkin's journey to where she is today and more on this episode of the Community Stage.

Larkin's Bio:

Dr. Larkin Sanders is a native of Branson, Missouri, and currently lives in Kansas City, Missouri where she is the clarinet instructor at both Washburn University and William Jewell College, owns the Clever Clarinetist (a clarinet specialty store), is the Executive-Artistic Director of the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra, and is an active performer. As a chamber music and entrepreneurship specialist, she manages and performs with Porch Music KC, the Bluestem Faculty Quintet at Washburn University, and more. In addition to a variety of chamber ensembles, she also performs with the Springfield Symphony, Topeka Symphony, and other regional orchestras. Dr. Sanders serves on several nonprofit boards such as the American Single Reed Summit and Charlotte House Series. Dr. Sanders is an Henri Selmer Paris, Behn, D’Addario & Co., Brian Corbin Clarinet Products, and Silverstein Pro Team Artist.

In addition to her activities as a clarinetist, teacher, and administrator, Dr. Sanders is also a composer, author, and digital artist who has a fondness for songs, unique chamber ensembles, and animals. Larkin has had her works performed in a variety of settings. Her works are inspired by the talents of her friends and colleagues, and the genres of her works span from chamber operettas, art songs, children's music, and more. Her artwork has been featured by the International Clarinet Association, in the Clever Clarinetist Shop, and is represented in many musician logos. She is also the author of The Creation of the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra: The Performer’s Field Guide to Music Festival Foundation and The Clever Clarinetist’s Daily Scale Method: Scales and Exercises for Everyday Use, used by The Florida State University and other studios as their official fundamental method.

Dr. Sanders completed her Doctor of Music degree in clarinet performance and a certificate in arts administration at Florida State University in 2015. At FSU, she studied clarinet with Dr. Frank Kowalsky and Dr. Deborah Bish while teaching a course in clarinet fundamentals for first-year undergraduate students. Larkin also holds a master of music degree from Michigan State University where she studied clarinet with Dr. Justin O’Dell and composition with Dr. Ricardo Lorenz. Previously, she earned her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Kansas while studying clarinet with Dr. Stephanie Zelnick and Dr. Larry Maxey.

In addition to her exciting musical activities, Dr. Sanders is an aquatic enthusiast who enjoys sailing and scuba diving, and she is an avid craftswoman who enjoys graphic design, sewing, furniture rehab, and other creative adventures. In her free time, she enjoys creating things, going on adventures, reading, and spending time with her family & friends, her Norwegian forest cat, Miles, an

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