Sharra Wagner enjoys collaborating with her creative music colleagues and celebrating living composers. Her varied experiences include running in the Junior Olympics, playing point guard in college, earning an undergraduate degree in English, studying jazz on bari sax, being the go-to collaborative pianist for vocalists and woodwinds during her Master’s degree, and growing up as the 2nd of 11 children. After earning an M.M. in clarinet performance from the University of Northern Iowa (while simultaneously a graduate assistant as a pianist studying with Robin Guy), she continued her studies with Dr. Jane Carl at the UMKC Conservatory, earning her D.M.A. in 2013. Her passion for new music was solidified in performing with UMKC’s Musica Nova and as a performing fellow at The Cortona Sessions for New Music in Cortona, Italy. She has previously served as Artistic Director and currently serves as a board member and clarinetist for newEar Contemporary Chamber Ensemble. Sharra is also the principal clarinetist for Northland Symphony Orchestra, interim principal clarinetist for Topeka Symphony Orchestra, and enjoys freelance clarinet opportunities in the region.