Levana V. Cohen
Adjunct Professor of ClarinetAdjunct Professor of Music Education, Woodwind Methods
B.M., Washington State UniversityM.M. Stony Brook UniversityD.M.A. Stony Brook University
levana.cohen@liu.edu
Description
Seattle born clarinetist, Levana Cohen is an avid performer and music educator. Her performances have taken her to some of the most prestigious concert halls including, Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose hall, the Koussevitzky Music Shed and Ozawa hall of Tanglewood, Benaroya Hall, Symphony Space, The DiMenna Center, Flushing Town Hall and the 92ndY sharing the stage and performing with such artists as Frank Morelli, William Purvis, Steven Taylor, Shlomo Mintz and the Emerson String Quartet to name a few. Levana's life as a NY based freelance musician has made her into an extremely versatile musician performing and teaching in a multitude of different genres.
In performance, these genres include the ballet, pit orchestra, opera, chamber music (both in the concert hall and for house parties), studio musician (recording for TV and radio), and the occasional concerto. Currently, Levana perform as the Principal Clarinetist for the Astoria Symphony Orchestra and appears at universities nationwide leading masterclasses, clinics and performing recitals and concertos.
As a committed and devoted music educator, Dr. Cohen enjoys teaching students of all ages. She is the clarinet professor and teaches the Woodwind Method class at Long Island University, Post campus. She also serves as the Clarinet Instructor at Suffolk County Community College, and operates her own private teaching studio in Port Washington NY. Apart from helping her students find their true, unique voice on their instrument, one of her highest priorities at the college level is to prepare her students for successful careers in music.
Dr. Cohen is a Vandoren Regional Artist and through this program gives free clinics to music programs across Long Island. Additionally, Levana is a Woodwind Specialist and coach with the Metropolitan Youth Orchestras of New York, a chamber music coach for Stony Brook University, and is the director of the Port Washington Clarinet Choir.
Levana holds both a Master of Music degree and a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from Stony Brook University under the tutelage of Daniel Gilbert. She performs on Buffet Tosca clarinets and uses Vandoren mouthpiece, ligature and reed products.
Specialties
Clarinet Performance and Pedagogy, Woodwind Methods, Performance Anxiety, Yoga
Publications
Author, “A Guide to Teaching Beginner Clarinet”, Published in Vandoren’s, The Wave Journal Volume 6: Issue 37, September 6, 2017.
Author, “Tongue Twisters: Terrific Tips to Tackle Tonguing Trials and Tribulations”, Published in Vandoren’s, The Wave Journal Volume 6: Issue 21, May 25, 2017.
Author, “Good Vibrations: 8 Tips for Maximizing Sound Production on the Clarinet”, Published in Vandoren’s, The Wave Journal Volume 6: Issue 7, February 15, 2017.
Lectures and Presentations
Clinician, “Clarinet Clarity”, Balanced Mind Conference, Molloy College, Rockville Centre, NY (November 7, 2017).
Director, Clarinet Choir, Metropolitan Youth Symphony of New York Presents “Clarinet Day”, Landmark Theater, Port Washington, NY (April 22, 2018).
Performances
Clarinetist in concert with, Shlomo Mintz and Friends, Sands Point Preserve, Long Island, NY January 20, 2018