Dr. Malena McLaren is the Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Northwestern State University of Louisiana.  She received the Bachelor in Music Education and Master of Music degree in Clarinet Performance at The University of New Mexico where she studied with Keith Lemmons. Malena has also studied with James Gillespie at the University of North Texas, where she received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Clarinet Performance.  She has recorded with the University of New Mexico Chamber Orchestra, the University of North Texas Wind Symphony and has performed in orchestras throughout Mexico and the United Kingdom.  In Spring 2006 she performed in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Victoria, British Columbia as a member Trio de Llano. She has been a member of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, the University of North Texas Wind Symphony, the North Texas Graduate Woodwind Quintet, as well as various professional orchestras and chamber groups in the Albuquerque and the Dallas metroplex. Malena is currently a member of Trio de Llano and the Cane River Players Woodwind Quintet, both artist faculty ensembles-in-residence at Northwestern State University. She also performs frequently with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra.  Malena’s scholarly works include an article in The Clarinet.  Additionally, in July 2007 she received the second place prize in the International Clarinet Association’s Research Presentation Competition at the ClarinetFest® in Vancouver, Canada; a trip in which her travel was funded by an Enrichment Fund Grant provided by Northwestern State University.

Email: mclarenm@nsula.edu