Faculty Spotlight: Kwami Barnett

Meet Kwami Barnett

Degrees and Experience
  • D.A. In Progress (University of Northern Colorado)
  • M.M., Music (University of North Carolina at Greensboro)
  • B.A., Music Performance (Lee University)
Biography and Professional Achievements

Kwami Barnett is a professional musician, clarinetist, and conductor in Greeley, CO, and principal clarinet of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra. He assists with the music ministry at Faith Church in Fort Collins where he conducts the orchestra and maintains an active clarinet studio throughout northern Colorado. Barnett is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in clarinet performance from the University of Northern Colorado, studying under Dr. Lauren Jacobson.

Prior to his appointment at CCU, he performed with orchestras and wind bands throughout the eastern United States. He also served in the United States Army as a clarinetist in Fort Lee, VA. His trio, In-Triplicate, which is comprised of flute, clarinet, and piano, has traveled throughout the Rocky Mountain Region and has premiered several works written for the ensemble. Barnett has traveled abroad on several international music mission tours to South America, Europe, Jordan, and the Caribbean. He is featured on the recording project entitled “Romeo and Juliet,” with Dana Landry and the University of Northern Colorado Lab One Jazz Ensemble. He also performed with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Wind Ensemble on the premiere recording of “The Frozen Cathedral” by John Mackey. Barnett earned a B.A. in Music Performance with an education emphasis from Lee University, and an M.M. degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His other teachers have included David Schafer, Kelly Burke, Anthony Taylor, and Jason Shafer.