Dr. Melissa Koprowski is an active performer and soloist, with a wide array of styles ranging from orchestral to jazz. She has been awarded first prize in several international and national competitions, some of which include the International Clarinet Association Young Artist Competition, Pasadena Showcase, MTNA Young Artist (regional and state), Grand prize from the Birmingham Music Club, and a three time first prize recipient of the Alabama Federation of Music Clubs Competition. Dr. Koprowski's soloist career began at the age of 16, performing the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with the Alabama Youth Symphony. The following year she won the same competition again, making her one of the few to ever solo twice with the youth symphony. She has since been the featured soloist of many groups including The University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire ensembles (including a solo performance of the Artie Shaw Clarinet Concerto at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL), The University of Alabama Wind Ensemble and Huxford Symphony Orchestra, The Master's College, and The USC Thornton School of Music Wind Ensemble, led by world-renown conductor H. Robert Reynolds.
Dr. Koprowski was appointed second/E-flat clarinet with the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra at the age of 18, making her one of the youngest members to ever win a position with the orchestra. Dr. Koprowski has performed with many orchestras across America including the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Alabama Symphony, Huntsville Symphony, Downey Symphony, Burbank Philharmonic, Debut Orchestra, and American Youth Symphony. She can also be seen and heard as clarinetist on the Dreamworks film, The Soloist.
As a dedicated teacher and pedagogue, Dr. Koprowski has been teaching clarinet to all ages ranging from elementary to college and has had many students become successful performers and educators across the country. Previous to her appointment at UAH, she was Associate Professor of Clarinet at The University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, where she taught clarinet for eight years. At the age of 22 she was appointed Adjunct Professor of Clarinet at The Master's College, a position she held for five years, teaching clarinet, chamber music, and woodwind techniques. Melissa also held the position as assistant of bands at Huntington Middle School in San Marino, CA, specializing in helping their woodwind section.
A native of Alabama, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Alabama, and completed her Master's and Doctorate of Musical Arts degrees in music performance from The University of Southern California. While at USC, she was the proud recipient of the prestigious Mitchell Laurie Award. Dr. Koprowski's main teachers include Yehuda Gilad, Danny Granados, Scott Bridges, and Judy Donaldson.
She has many passions outside of clarinet, including spending time with her husband and raising and teaching her four girls, being an active member at her church, baking (especially anything in the sweet category), woodworking, and recently becoming a REALTOR©.
