Kaleigh McGee Simmons

Kaleigh McGee Simmons is a woodwind specialist focusing primarily on clarinet with saxophone, flute, and oboe secondaries. She will graduate with her Doctorate of Musical Arts from The Ohio State University in May 2025. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Clarinet Performance from Auburn University where she studied under Dr. David Odom and a Master’s degree in music from Ohio State where she currently studies with Dr. Caroline Hartig.

At Ohio State, Kaleigh performs on clarinet in the Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra and several chamber ensembles. Kaleigh plays flute in the Buckeye Flutes ensemble and principal oboe in the Campus Orchestra as well as performing as a soloist on both instruments in the chamber group Collegium Musicum of Ohio. Aside from teaching several undergraduate clarinet majors, Kaleigh teaches piano and clarinet for Ohio State’s Community Music School and maintains a growing private studio. Kaleigh currently works as an apprentice in woodwind instrument repair at Buckeye Brass and Winds in Plain City, Ohio.

As a freelance musician, Kaleigh has held several positions as a pianist in both choral and theatrical environments as well as an accompanist for her student’s recitals and juries. She performs as a woodwind doubler in several local theater productions and performs regularly with chamber ensembles and other groups around the Central Ohio area. Kaleigh is a founding member of the Zephyr Winds chamber ensemble and the Cohesion Trio.