Artist Bios

Mitchell Estrin

Mitchell Estrin is Professor of Clarinet at the University of Florida, Music Director and Conductor of the University of Florida Clarinet Ensemble, and a University of Florida Research Foundation Professor. He also serves as the Artistic Director of the Vandoren Clarinet Ensemble Festival and was founder of the Buffet Crampon USA Summer Clarinet Academy. From 2018-2020, Prof. Estrin served as President of the International Clarinet Association. He is the author of the biography Stanley Drucker, Clarinet Master published by Carl Fischer and a regular contributor to the Vandoren WAVE. Prior to his current appointments, he had a 25-year association with the New York Philharmonic, and performed in hundreds of concerts as principal, second, and E-flat clarinetist under six music directors and many distinguished guest conductors. He accompanied the Philharmonic on 19 international tours and made dozens of recordings with the orchestra. He has performed with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, New Arts Trio, at the Newport Music Festival, and was a founding member of the Amadeus Ensemble. Prof. Estrin has an extensive discography of solo and chamber music, and recorded over 100 Hollywood motion-picture soundtracks. Prof. Estrin has served as director of the ICA College, Festival, and Professors Clarinet Choirs, Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium Clarinet Choir, United States Navy Clarinet Choir, Texas State Clarinet Fiesta Clarinet Choir, and Texas Clarinet Colloquium Clarinet Choir. He has conducted the University of Florida Clarinet Ensemble throughout the United States and Europe, including three feature recitals at the ICA ClarinetFest. The ensemble recorded four critically acclaimed CDs for Mark Masters, Christmas Clarinets (2016), Clarinet Choir Classics (2012), Clarinet Thunder (2009), and Wind in the Reeds (2006). Prof. Estrin's students hold positions at major universities and have performed with such prestigious ensembles as the Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, New York Pops, United States Army Band "Pershing's Own", and United States Army Field Band. Mitchell Estrin studied clarinet with Stanley Drucker at The Juilliard School where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Mitchell Estrin is a Buffet Crampon Clarinet Artist and Vandoren Performing Artist.

Dr. Vanguel Tangarov

Dr. Vanguel Tangarov is an Associate Professor of Clarinet at Texas State University and the Artistic Director and Founder of the annual international clarinet event, the Texas State Clarinet Fiesta. Tangarov also holds the position of Principal Clarinetist with the Austin Opera, Mid-Texas Symphony, and Victoria Symphony Orchestras.

Prior to his current roles, Tangarov served as the Principal Clarinetist of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra in Bulgaria (1993-1998), the Academia Chigiana Symphony Orchestra in Italy (1993-1997), the Jeunesses Musicales World Symphony Orchestra in Germany (1993-1994), and the Monterrey Symphony Orchestra (OSUANL) in Mexico (1998-2004). He has distinguished himself as a soloist, performing with orchestras such as the Györ Symphony in Hungary, the Mid-Texas Symphony in the USA, the Plovdiv Philharmonic, the Rousse Philharmonic, the Varna Philharmonic, and the Sofia Philharmonic in Bulgaria, as well as the Constanta Philharmonic in Romania, the Monterrey Symphony (OSUANL), and Monterrey Chamber Orchestra in Mexico. His repertoire includes works by composers such as Mozart, Weber, Copland, Jean Françaix, Cimarosa, Giampieri, Bernstein, Pipkov, and Artie Shaw.

Tangarov's illustrious career has taken him to over 20 countries across four continents, earning him acclaim from critics and audiences alike. He is equally renowned as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician and has graced prestigious venues worldwide, including the Berliner Philharmoniker Hall (Berlin), Gewandhaus (Leipzig), Schauspielhaus (Berlin), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Oslo Konserthaus (Norway), Cadogan Hall (London), Symphony Hall Birmingham (UK), Boston Symphony Hall (USA), Bulgaria Hall (Sofia), and Zaragoza Hall (Spain), among others.

Tangarov's journey in music began with studies under the guidance of Dimitar Boyanov at the Dobrin Petkov Music High School for gifted students in his native country. He continued his education at the National Academy of Music "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov" in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in clarinet performance, studying under the tutelage of the renowned pedagogue and concert artist, Petko Radev, a former Principal Clarinetist of Teatro Alla Scala in Milan, Italy. Tangarov further honed his skills by completing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at The University of Texas at Austin, under the mentorship of Richard MacDowell. He also received instruction from esteemed musicians like Aurelian Octav Popa in Romania and Gerald Pahinger, the Principal Clarinetist of the Vienna Symphony.

Tangarov's solo appearances have left a lasting impression on audiences, including recitals at the 2018/2022 Neo-Path International Festival, the 2022/2023 VIMA Grand Strand Music Festival in Myrtle Beach, SC, and the 10th Anniversary Season Bulgarian Concert Evenings in New York in 2015. He has also participated in numerous International Clarinet Fests in 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, and 2010, held in Denver, CO, Reno, NV, Knoxville, TN, Ostende, Belgium, Orlando, FL, Lawrence, KS, Baton Rouge, LA, and Austin, TX. In addition, he performed at the opening ceremony of the 2014 International Plovdiv Chamber Music Competition in Bulgaria. His artistry can be heard on recordings as the Principal Clarinetist in a Naxos Label recording titled "Circus Maximus" by John Corigliano with The University of Texas at Austin Wind Ensemble, as well as on Harmonia Mundi Label recordings such as "Samuel Barber: An American Romantic" and the 2017 GRAMMY-nominated "Craig Hella Johnson: Considering Matthew Shepard." He has also contributed to the soundtrack of the movie "Knight of Cups," directed by Terrence Malick, in addition to more than 10 other recordings.

Throughout his career, Tangarov has received numerous accolades and prizes in both national and international clarinet competitions, including the Prague Spring International Competition in 1996 (6th place overall), the United Nations International Clarinet Competition in Portugal in 1994 (4th place overall), the First International Clarinet Competition in Romania in 1993 (2nd prize), "The Music and the Earth" International Chamber Music Competition in Bulgaria in 1993 (3rd prize), the Bulgarian National Clarinet Competition for French Music in 1997 (1st prize), the Brahms Academy Competition for Chamber Music in Bulgaria in 1993 (2nd prize), the Bulgarian National Radio-Mozart Chamber Music Competition in 1991 (1st prize with a clarinet quintet), and the Bulgarian National Clarinet Competition in 1990 (1st prize).

Vanguel Tangarov proudly represents Buffet Crampon & Vandoren as a Performing Artist and Clinician, exclusively performing with Buffet Crampon, Paris clarinets and Vandoren Paris products.

Dr. Andrea Vos-Rochefort

An engaging and accomplished clarinetist, Dr. Andrea Vos-Rochefort regularly premieres new works in recital and at Clarinetfest and has performed with the Dayton Philharmonic, Orchestra Kentucky, Richmond Symphony, Lima Orchestra, Carmel Symphony, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Lexington Philharmonic, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony, Corpus Christi Symphony, Midland-Odessa Symphony, Victoria Symphony, and San Antonio Symphony. Dr. Vos-Rochefort is the Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and previously served as Adjunct Instructor of Clarinet at University of Dayton and Stivers School for the Arts. She is passionate about outreach and has served as Artistic Director of the Artalism Coalition, Community Engagement & Education Manager with concert:nova, and developed a program of 20-25 interdisciplinary arts workshops in Cincinnati Public Schools each year for grades K-12. Andrea received her doctoral degree from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music studying with Ben Freimuth, her master’s degree from Manhattan School of Music studying with Mark Nuccio, Diplômes Supérieurs in Clarinet and Chamber Music from L’Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris studying with Guy Deplus, and her bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College studying with Michael Galvan. She is a proud ReedGeek Artist, Buffet Crampon Performing Artist and Clinician, and Vandoren Artist Clinician.

Diana Haskell

Diana Haskell has enjoyed a rewarding career as an orchestral clarinetist, educator, clinician, and chamber musician. She spent over twenty years with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra as Associate Principal, Acting Principal or Associate and E-Flat clarinet. Ms. Haskell performed concertos many times with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra as soloist, including with Maestro David Robertson and Maestro Jahja Ling.

As the only woman finalist in the Naumberg International Competition in 1986, Ms. Haskell performed a full solo recital in what is now called the Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. 

Her recording Clarinet Enchantments is available on Amazon and iTunes by AAM Recordings. Her other recordings are listed at her website DianaHaskellClarinet.com. 

Diana’s first job was with the Savannah Symphony Orchestra as Principal Clarinet. She was concurrently Acting Principal Clarinet with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra for one season. Ms. Haskell was offered Acting Principal Clarinet with the Columbus Symphony but won the position of Principal Clarinet with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Maestro Semyon Bychkov. At that time Diana was one of less than five women principal clarinetists in major symphony orchestras. She was appointed Assistant Principal/ E-Flat Clarinet with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in 1991. In 2003, under the leadership of Maestro Itzhak Perlman, Diana won the position of Assistant Principal Clarinet with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Music Director David Robertson appointed her as Associate Principal/Eb Clarinet. She has been Principal Clarinet at Santa Fe Opera, Spoleto Festival of Two Worlds, Colorado Music Festival, Washington Island Chamber Music Festival, and Lake Placid Sinfonietta. 

A staunch supporter of minority arts initiatives, Ms. Haskell was on the board and taught students for HEAL Center For the Arts, a vigorous after-school arts program in St. Louis for students in urban centers.

Ms. Haskell has been on the faculty at SUNY Buffalo, Houghton College, UW Whitewater, Savannah College of Art and Design, Armstrong State College, and Wisconsin Lutheran College. Ms. Haskell taught chamber music at Chautauqua Institution School of Music. Ms. Haskell led her own Clarinet Intensive at the MasterWorks Festival. Ms. Haskell's students occupy positions with regional orchestras, in bands of the Armed Forces, as clarinet professors, and as orchestra and band directors. She maintains a private studio for visiting college students on break as well. 

Diana received a Master of Music Performance Degree at The Juilliard School, studying with Joseph Allard. She received a Bachelor of Music Performance Degree at Eastman School of Music with Performer’s Certificate, studying clarinet with D. Stanley Hasty and piano for one year with Maria Louisa Faini. Ms. Haskell attended Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, where she studied piano with Fernando Laires, and clarinet with George Townsend and Sidney Forrest. Ms. Haskell’s high school clarinet studies were with James Barkow and piano studies were with Earl Ricker. 

Ms. Haskell is a proud Buffet-Crampon Artist and Vandoren Artist. 

Gary Winder

Gary Winder is an Executive Vice President at Dansr, Inc., where he has worked for the past 12 years. Prior to joining Dansr, he held the position of Director of Sales for Yamaha B&O.

Gary’s musical journey began at the age of 11 when he started taking clarinet lessons at school. He later pursued a university degree in education and performance. During his time at university, he spent three years working in retail at a local music store, followed by another two years after completing his military service. In 1987, he moved to the United States, where his career has been entirely in the manufacturing and wholesale sectors.

Throughout his career, Gary has built many long-lasting relationships with dealers, particularly through his involvement with the NASMD organization.