Khải Niên Nguyễn

Clarinetist and educator

I’m a Vietnamese American clarinetist and educator exploring how sound holds memory, identity, and belonging. My work centers care, collaboration, and a deep reverence for storytelling through music.

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About

Khai Nien Nguyen is a clarinetist, educator, and scholar from Southern California, currently pursuing a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance at the University of California, Los Angeles. He recently completed his Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance with a minor in Music Theory at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.As a performer, Khai Nien has appeared with ensembles including the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Akron Symphony. He is the winner of the 2026 Atwater Kent Concerto Competition, performing Copland’s Clarinet Concerto. Recent concerto engagements also include Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto with the Vietnamese American Philharmonic. He is currently a member of the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra, where he performs orchestral and chamber repertoire in both traditional and unconventional venues as part of the organization’s mission to expand access to classical music in underserved communities. Khai Nien has premiered several new works and participated in master classes with artists such as Yehuda Gilad, Anthony McGill, and Burt Hara.Alongside his performing career, Khai Nien maintains an active and international teaching presence. He has served as guest faculty at the Qingdao International Clarinet Seminar and the Tianjin Orchestral Art Music Festival. During his time at Oberlin Conservatory, he taught collegiate-level clarinetists as a Secondary Clarinet Instructor and worked as Assistant Conductor and Woodwind Coach for the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra. He also maintains a private teaching studio, working with students from diverse backgrounds and levels of experience.Outside of the European classical tradition, Khai Nien connects to his Vietnamese heritage through performing folk music with Emmanuel Choir and serving as Principal Clarinet of the Vietnamese American Philharmonic. His research explores how theoretical analysis can guide students toward more architectural, expressive, and informed interpretive decisions. Beyond Western art music, he also studies popular music, especially the works of Sufjan Stevens, and enjoys studying how these concepts translates across genres.His principal teachers include Boris Allakhverdyan, Richard Hawkins, Dr. Jan Miyake, and Mathieu Girardet, whose mentorship has profoundly shaped his artistic and pedagogical voice. Through performance, teaching, and research, Khai Nien seeks to cultivate compassion and connection within the communities he serves.

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Services Offered

Clarinet Performance – Available for solo, chamber, and orchestral engagementsClarinet Lessons – Private instruction for all levels, with focus on sound, technique, expression, and confidence-buildingVietnamese Music Instruction – Lessons in traditional and folk repertoire, improvisation, and cultural contextBeginning Piano Lessons – Supportive foundational instruction for children and adultsWoodwind & Chamber Music Coaching – Coaching for youth ensembles, chamber groups, and school programsMusic Ministry – Fluent in both Vietnamese and American liturgical traditions; available for services, retreats, and special eventsMusic Theory Tutoring – Individual or group sessions with a focus on aural skills, analysis, and creative applicationI offer a free trial lesson so you can get a feel for my teaching and see if we’re a good match! Feel free to email me if you’re interested or have any questions.

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Sample Recordings

Check out some recordings that show different sides of my playing, from classical pieces to music that’s meaningful to me.

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