By Kaitlyn White
Prime Music Institute has unveiled a new three-year plan to host an annual student recital series, an initiative designed not only to celebrate student achievement, but also to cultivate artistic growth, build performance experience, and strengthen the connection between students and the broader musical community. Each year, the series will spotlight a different instrumental focus, with the inaugural event centering on the clarinet. This year’s recital will be presented by the clarinet studio of faculty member Dr. Ting-Wei Chang, and marks the beginning of what the institute hopes will become a signature tradition.
Photo Courtesy:Ting-Wei
As both a seasoned clarinetist and deeply committed educator, Dr. Chang serves as the artistic director of the recital and is at the helm of every aspect of its planning and execution. Her leadership extends far beyond the classroom: she personally curates the repertoire, balancing technical development with musical storytelling; she guides students through solo and chamber works, adapting instruction to meet both the needs of beginner players and the ambitions of more advanced students. Weekly rehearsals are complemented by individualized coaching, with Dr. Chang focusing on tone production, phrasing, ensemble listening, and expressive interpretation. In the final weeks leading up to the recital, she also directs full-length run-throughs and stage simulations, helping students prepare both mentally and musically for public performance.
In addition to shaping the program from behind the scenes, Dr. Chang will also perform alongside her students, offering not only a professional benchmark but also a collaborative spirit. Her presence on stage reinforces the recital’s central values: mentorship, shared artistry, and lifelong learning. Through her dual role as teacher and performer, she exemplifies the professional standards and personal passion that she strives to instill in her students.
Photo Courtesy:Ting-Wei
More than a showcase, this recital series is a transformative experience for young musicians, providing a rare opportunity to perform for a live audience in a formal concert setting. It also offers families, peers, and community members a window into the creative work unfolding inside the institute. Under Dr. Chang’s leadership, the annual event is expected to grow into a cornerstone of Prime Music Institute’s mission, bridging the gap between classroom instruction and public performance, and nurturing the next generation of confident, expressive, and thoughtful performers.
Artist Bio
Ting-Wei Chang is an internationally recognized clarinetist known for her ability to fuse Eastern and Western musical traditions with clarity, sensitivity, and expressive depth. Her artistry reflects a balanced and thoughtful approach to performance, earning her acclaim as both a soloist and chamber musician.
Dr. Chang has been honored in numerous national and international competitions. She was a semi-finalist in the International Clarinet Association (ICA) Young Artist Competition and the Young Texas Artists Music Competition, and took first place in the Tuesday Musical Competition and the James Tannenbaum Memorial Mozart Competition. During her graduate studies, she consistently placed at the top of concerto and chamber music competitions.
Her performance highlights include appearing as a soloist with the University of Akron Symphony Orchestra in Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, the world premiere of Stephen Dankner’s Trio for Clarinet, Double Bass, and Piano, and serving as principal bass clarinetist of the Lone Star Wind Orchestra. She has also been featured in recital series across the United States and Asia, earning recognition for her technical command and compelling stage presence.