Biography

Mary Alice Druhan has enjoyed an active performing career around the United States and also in Germany, Spain, Italy, Great Britain, Thailand, and Puerto Rico. She became an official member of the Dallas Wind Symphony in 2003 and has since also performed with the Dallas Festival of Modern Music, Triforia Winds, DeuxEaux, Wichita Falls Symphony, Shreveport Symphony, Shreveport Opera, East Texas Symphony, Plano Symphony, and the Color of Sound chamber series. Prior to moving to Texas, Mary was solo Eb clarinetist with the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own” Concert Band and formerly Eb clarinetist with the Baton Rouge and Acadiana symphonies as well as Bb and/or bass clarinet roles with many ensembles including Ohio Light Opera, Natchez Opera, Sorg-Whitewater Opera, Baton Rouge Symphony, Acadiana Symphony, and the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own” Ceremonial Unit and Orchestra.  

Dr. Druhan has built an active and successful clarinet studio at Texas A&M University – Commerce where she has been since 2002. Students under her tutelage thrive, often receiving awards, teaching fellowships, research fellowships, scholarships, and jobs in many fields including teaching and performance. The university has recognized Dr. Druhan’s success with the title of Full Professor and with awards in the areas of both teaching and research including the H.M. Lafferty Distinguished Faculty Award for Scholarship and Creative Activity in 2016, the James “Jim” Vornberg Award for Teaching in 2011, and the University Faculty Research Award in 2010.  

In 2011 Mary suffered a serious playing-related injury which threatened her performing career and inspired her research into musician injury, prevention, and recovery. Her work in this area has been featured in a six-part series of The Clarinet (journal of ICA) and she presents lectures and clinics about injury prevention around the country. Her lecture, “Protecting the Musician: An Injury Prevention Presentation” has received enormous support from administrators, students and teachers. 

Mary Alice Druhan is a Performing Artist for Backun Musical Services, a member of the Silverstein ProTeam, and an Artist with the World Clarinet Alliance. She has faced the challenges and rewards of her career with her family including her husband Sean and their four amazing daughters.