Hometown:
Louisville, Kentucky
Education:
Eastman School of Music, Bachelor of Music (2027)
Bio:
Adam Kolers is a clarinetist in his third year at the Eastman School of Music, where he studies with Professor Michael Wayne. He is originally from Louisville, Kentucky, where he studied clarinet with Ms. Angela Soren and has a dog named Fred. Previously, Adam was a member of the Round Top Festival Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of the USA. In his free time, he loves to play tennis, compose music, read, and play piano.
What inspired you to become a musician?
My wonderful piano teacher from when I was in Elementary and Middle school, Jeanie, who encouraged me to have fun with music and let me play whatever I wanted, often something I made up.
Name your favorite composers and/or pieces:
My favorite musician ever is Bill Evans. My favorite classical composers are Debussy, Rachmaninoff, and recently Brahms, even though for a long time I didn’t really like his music. A current favorite is Brahms’s Intermezzo op. 117 no. 2 in B-flat minor.
What is an interesting fact about you and/or your instrument?
I can do the wave with my eyebrows.
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I love to play tennis! My idol is Roger Federer so last year I switched to a one-handed backhand.
Why did you choose the NRO?
NRO presents an amazing opportunity to play a large amount of repertoire in a great orchestra, which is invaluable experience for a career in an orchestral wind section. I’ve never been to Colorado but I have heard such great things about Breckenridge, and I’m so excited to explore the town and the nature there!