Has performed with

Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein, Andrea Bocelli, American Ballet Theatre

20 years

Principal clarinet and reeds, Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera

Degrees

Bachelor's, clarinet performance, University of Southern California; master's, clarinet performance, UCSB

Clarinet, taught by someone who plays it every season

Nancy Mathison teaches clarinet privately in Santa Barbara. She came to Santa Barbara from Los Angeles in 1977, holds degrees in clarinet performance from the University of Southern California and UCSB, and performs with the New West Symphony, the Santa Barbara Chamber Players, the Santa Maria Philharmonic, Symphony of the Vines and the San Luis Obispo Master Chorale Orchestra.

Arrange a lesson

What she teaches and where she plays

Clarinet lessons

Private clarinet instruction in Santa Barbara; she is listed among the Santa Maria Philharmonic's private instructors for 2026.

Where she plays

Orchestra

A member of the New West Symphony, Santa Maria Philharmonic, Symphony of the Vines and the San Luis Obispo Master Chorale Orchestra.

Chamber music

A member of the Santa Barbara Chamber Players; Santa Barbara Music Club concerts on January 10, March 14 and May 9, 2026.

Next performance

Music & Meditation Santa Barbara, October 23, 2026, Weinman Hall at the Music Academy of the West.

Dance and music

On the staff of American Dance & Music in Santa Barbara.

Call (805) 895-4891nancymclarinet@gmail.comCall or email to arrange a first lesson.

Nancy Mathison

Nancy Mathison attended the Music Academy of the West and studied with Gary Foster, James Kanter and Mitchell Lurie. She has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein, Andrea Bocelli and American Ballet Theatre, was a member of the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra, and played principal clarinet and reeds with the Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera for its 20-year tenure. She also taught instrumental music in the Santa Barbara School District.

Arrange a lesson
In Santa Barbara
Since 1977
Degrees
Bachelor's, clarinet performance, University of Southern California; master's, clarinet performance, UCSB
Training
Music Academy of the West
Teachers
Gary Foster, James Kanter, Mitchell Lurie
Orchestras
New West Symphony, Santa Maria Philharmonic, Symphony of the Vines, San Luis Obispo Master Chorale Orchestra
Chamber
Santa Barbara Chamber Players
Has performed with
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein, Andrea Bocelli, American Ballet Theatre
Formerly
Member, Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra
20 years
Principal clarinet and reeds, Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera
Schools
Taught instrumental music, Santa Barbara School District

The clarinet

Illustrated — photographs made for this page
Illustrated — cane reeds in an open reed case and laid out on a weathered table, a gold ligature and mouthpiece cap beside them, a harbor view through an arch behindIllustrated

Reeds

Cane reeds, a ligature and a mouthpiece cap on an outdoor table above the harbor.

Illustrated — two wooden chairs and two music stands in a quiet room, a clarinet resting on a cloth on one chair, a bookshelf and a window behindIllustrated

Lesson room

Two chairs, two stands and a clarinet on the seat.

Illustrated — music stands and chairs set in a semicircle on a wooden stage under arched windows, violins on two chairs, a cello at the back and a clarinet on the nearest chairIllustrated

Chamber music

Stands set for a small group, a clarinet on the nearest chair.

Illustrated — an empty concert hall seen from the aisle, chairs and stands set on a lit stage under a chandelierIllustrated

Concert hall

The stage set for an evening performance.

Illustrated — a clarinet part on a black music stand marked in pencil with fingerings and breath marks, a yellow pencil on the ledge, an empty rehearsal room with arched windows behindIllustrated

The part

A marked-up part and a pencil on the stand.

Illustrated — a hand holding a cane reed up to the light at a window, a mouthpiece with its ligature on the sill, palms and tile roofs outsideIllustrated

Choosing a reed

Checking a reed against the light, the mouthpiece on the sill.