Jessica Speak

Jessica Speak is on the faculty at Stetson University in Deland, Florida where she teaches applied clarinet, pedagogy for winds and percussion, orchestral excerpts, directs the Stetson University Clarinet Choir, and coaches woodwind chamber music. She holds principal clarinet positions with esteemed area ensembles throughout Central Florida, including the Bach Festival Orchestra, Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, and the Walt Disney World Orchestra. She maintains an active private studio and many of her students are chosen to participate in auditioned ensembles such as the Florida All State Bands and Orchestras and the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra. She presents master classes and consistently serves as an adjudicator for various musical events throughout Florida.

She has a special interest in contemporary music, and performs regularly as a soloist, presenting new and adventurous works. She has commissioned several new compositions including pieces for unaccompanied clarinet as well as mixed instrumentation chamber works. An ardent advocate for new music in the Central Florida area, she serves as president of the performance board of the Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, where she coordinates operations and fundraising efforts to grow the organization and keep the ensemble performing new compositions written by active composers.