Introductions welcomes a return guest for a full clarinet recital: Louis Auxenfans of Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood. He joins his brother Henry Auxenfans and pianist Liang-yu Wang for music of Messager, Debussy, Fuchs, Hailstork, and Brahms.
Louis Auxenfans is an 18-year old clarinetist from Chicago and recently graduated from the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. He was a member of Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras for seven seasons, serving as principal clarinetist of their flagship Symphony Orchestra and the selective chamber orchestra, CORE. He was named the 2022 Northwest Symphony Orchestra's Paul Vermel Young Artist, which made him the first woodwind player to solo with the orchestra. In addition, he was the youngest prize winner of the Crain-Maling CSO Young Artist Competition, winning its scholarship prize, and performed twice as a soloist at Carnegie Hall on two different instruments (clarinet & piano) in 2018.
Besides solo and orchestral engagements, Louis is also an avid chamber musician. Alongside his violinist brother, Henry, he regularly performs in chamber concerts for his community. He has performed in masterclasses for Anthony McGill, Afendi Yusuf, and Stephen Williamson. Louis currently studies with Ms. Kai-Yun Lu and previously with Mr. Steven Gooden and Mr. Ozzie Gonzales.
Louis Auxenfans previously appeared on Introductions as a clarinet and piano recitalist in February 2021, as a concerto soloist with CYSO in January 2022, and live from Navy Pier in July 2022. On all three occasions, his younger brother Henry Auxenfans was also playing violin. Louis and Henry were also on Show 419 of NPR's From the Top in October 2022.
Outside of music, Louis enjoys reading books, learning about economics research and investing, and watching soccer and basketball. In the fall, Louis will be attending Harvard College, and plans to concentrate in economics and statistics or applied mathematics.