Claire Larson

Claire Larson brings more than two decades of experience teaching and leading middle school, high school, collegiate, and community band programs across Minnesota. She holds a Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from St. Olaf College. Her principal teachers include Miles “Mity” Johnson, Dr. Timothy Mahr, and Prof. Craig Kirchhoff. Larson was the inaugural recipient of the Miles Johnson Endowment Award in 1994 and was awarded a graduate fellowship in horn performance at the University of Minnesota.

An active contributor to the music education community, Larson has both performed and presented at the MMEA Midwinter Clinic and has coached the Minnesota All-State horn section. In 2017, she was nominated for Minnesota Teacher of the Year. She has also served as President of the Minnesota Band Directors Association, where she was a strong advocate for instrumental music education and worked to support band directors across the state.

Larson’s career spans diverse educational settings, including rural, suburban, and urban programs. Larson was recently appointed as director of the athletic band at St. Cloud State University. She has also recently served as Director of Bands at Kenyon-Wanamingo Middle and High School. Her previous positions include Visiting Professor and Director of the Symphony Band at Carleton College, band director at Brooklyn Center Middle/High School and Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis, and conductor of the Northfield Community Band.

Central to Larson’s philosophy is the development of the whole student. She emphasizes meaningful relationships, student leadership, and the celebration of each individual’s unique contributions. Her ensembles are widely recognized for their strong, student-driven culture and inclusive environment.

Whether working with young bands, advanced ensembles, or honor groups, Larson is committed to tailoring each experience to meet the unique needs of the program—leaving students motivated and teachers with practical, effective strategies they can immediately apply.

Larson is a member of MBDA, MMEA, CBDNA, ASBDA, and NAfME, and has been inducted into Phi Beta Mu. She enjoys spending time with her husband, John, and their three young adult children, Linnea, Anders, and Annelise.