Timothy Coffey is a clarinetist who values music as a way to communicate and connect with others. Through both performance and teaching, he focuses on thoughtful practice and meaningful interpretation, helping others explore music as a form of personal expression and artistic growth.

His passion for orchestral playing has led him to attend prestigious festivals including the Aspen Music Festival and School and the Atlantic Music Festival. This summer, he joins the Round Top Festival Institute Orchestra.

At the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, Timothy has held principal clarinet positions in both the Lamont Symphony Orchestra and the Lamont Wind Ensemble. He’s also a committed advocate for new music, performing with the Lamont Modern Music Ensemble and collaborating in free improvisation settings. His dedication to contemporary repertoire has led to several premieres of works by emerging composers, highlights being Bradley de Lucia’s Nocturne for Clarinet and Piano and Ethan Pinckert’s Thought Pattern.

In addition to his performance work, Timothy is the Artistic Director and founding member of the Massachusetts Modern Music Retreat, a grassroots nonprofit launching in August 2025. The program is dedicated to making contemporary music more accessible and inclusive. Learn more or support the initiative at:
https://modernmusicretreat.wixsite.com/massachusetts-modern/support-us

Timothy has appeared as a soloist performing Jan Van der Roost’s Clarinet Concerto with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra, Nielsen’s Clarinet Concerto at Ithaca College, and Rossini’s Introduction, Theme, and Variations with the Winchendon Winds.

Outside the concert hall, Timothy is a dedicated teacher, working with students to strengthen their technical skills and find their own voice through music. His teaching philosophy centers on creating a supportive space that encourages artistic exploration and confidence.

Timothy earned his Bachelor of Music in Performance at Ithaca College with Dr. Richard Faria. He is currently pursuing a Master of Music at the Lamont School of Music, where he studies with Dr. Jeremy Reynolds and Jason Shafer. Timothy is also honored to be the recipient of the Newman Fellowship for the class of 2026.