Steven Barta has been the Principal Clarinetist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra since 1976. He has played with the Cleveland Orchestra and was Principal Clarinet of the Savannah Symphony prior to Baltimore. Mr. Barta studied with Robert Marcellus and holds a Master degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music. He also studied with Harold Wright at Marlboro, with additional studies at Boston University, Tanglewood and the Blossom Festival School. Equally versatile in chamber music, Mr. Barta has performed with the Festival Chamber Players and Music from Gretna. He is a member of the Baltimore Wind Quintet.

On the faculty of the Peabody Institute of John Hopkins University since 1984, Mr. Barta also teaches at Catholic University in Washington D.C. He has made numerous solo appearances with the BSO, and has made several recordings with them for Sony, Telarc, Erato and Vanguard. This is his fourth summer with AYO.