Tori Okwabi

Dr. Tori Okwabi joined the St. Cloud State University (SCSU) Department of Music in 2011 as the adjunct professor of clarinet.  She also teaches World Music and History of Contemporary Music at Minneapolis Media Institute in Edina.  Dr. Okwabi has over 15 years of teaching experience and is regularly invited to teach, lecture and perform as a guest artist for national and international clarinet and music festivals. 

She enjoys working with clarinet, saxophone and flute students of all ages in her private lesson studio.  She works with middle school and high school students throughout Minnesota.  Her students consistently make superior ratings at solo and ensemble contest and are selected to participate in honor bands and All-State festivals. 

Professional highlights include:

• principal clarinetist of the Wayzata Symphony Orchestra (WSO)
• winner of the 2015 WSO Concerto Competition
• gave the Minnesota Premiere of Oscar Navarro’s flamenco inspired “II Concerto” for clarinet and orchestra in November 2015
• performed with the Mankato Symphony Orchestra, the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, the Mendota Philharmonic Orchestra and the Edgewood Chamber Orchestra

As a new music enthusiast, Dr. Okwabi especially enjoys exploring compositions with a world music focus.  She received a Doctor of Music degree in clarinet performance from Florida State University, a Master of Music from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Wisconsin.  She has studied under the tutelage of Frank Kowalsky, Elsa-Ludwig-Verdehr, Deborah Bish, Nathan Williams and Linda Bartley.