Vanessa Klassen was born in Kindersley, Saskatchewan, Canada and began her journey as a clarinetist at age 10. Vanessa received her Bachelor of Music degree from Brandon University, studying with Dr. Catherine Wood. She most recently completed her Master of Music degree at The Ohio State University with Dr. Caroline Hartig. Vanessa was a member of the “Clarinet Belles” quartet representing Manitoba; they placed third at the National Music Festival in Edmonton in 2015. She participated in the National competition once again in 2016, as the woodwind representative of Saskatchewan. Vanessa has also performed as a sub with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, the Westerville Symphony Orchestra and the Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra. She recently toured Spain with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. Vanessa is passionate about sharing her expertise with students of all ages. Currently a graduate teaching associate at Ohio State, she is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree.