Darkwood Duo

Darkwood Duo was formed in 2022 from the passion that Laura Grantier and Lynn Vartan share for chamber music and the joy of performing live together. Since the forming of their duo they have toured and performed in Utah & California, and been featured at the International Clarinet Association New Music Festival and at Clarifest 2022 in Reno, Nevada. They are on a quest to expand the repertoire for clarinet and percussion, and have commissioned composer Todd Cochran for his 10 movement work “Ring Around the World,” which was partially premiered in October of 2022 and will be fully premiered in 2023. Laura and Lynn are also committed to bringing chamber music to schools, and love touring to perform and do workshops for middle and high schools in Utah, Nevada and California.

Dr. Grantier

Dr. Grantier is the Assistant Professor of Clarinet and Woodwind Area Head at the University of Utah. She founded the Utah Clarinet Choir and has performed with the Utah Symphony, Ballet West, and Intermezzo Chamber Music Series. She is the Secretary for the International Clarinet Association (ICA) Executive Board and is also the ICA Utah state chairperson.

From 1995-2021 she was a member of the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C. where she served as Principal Clarinet, Woodwind Leader, Clarinet Section Leader, and Harborwinds Clarinet Quartet Leader. She performed over 2,250 public concerts, military ceremonies, education workshops, and high-profile protocol engagements for high-ranking dignitaries, including the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, and Secretary of the Navy.
 
Prior to her appointment with the United States Navy Band, she pursued a Master of Music at the Eastman School of Music. She has performed with the Rochester Chamber Orchestra, Annapolis, Arlington, McLean, New World, Tuscaloosa Symphonies, and the National Symphony Orchestra. She was principal clarinet of the American-Russian Youth Orchestra, the Capitol Wind Symphony, and is currently principal clarinet of the Virginia Grand Military Band.

Dr. Grantier has appeared as soloist on numerous occasions with the United States Navy Band, including national tours and the 2014 Midwest Orchestra and Band Clinic in Chicago. She was also a featured soloist at the 2013 CMEA conference, the 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2019 International Clarinet Association Conferences, 2017 Clarinetissimo in Seattle, the 2009 GMEA conference, the 23rd annual Alabama Honor Band Festival, and the 2022 Utah Clarinet Festival.

Dr. Grantier is a Buffet-Crampon performing artist.

Lynn Vartan

Biography available here.