Praised by critics for her “great virtuosity and flair” and “exquisite artistry”, Diane Barger is Professor of Clarinet and member of the Moran Woodwind Quintet at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a position she has held since 1994. She received the 2013 Annis Chaikin Sorensen Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Humanities and the 2001 Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts Distinguished College Teaching Award at UNL. Barger is principal clarinet of Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra and is President Elect of the International Clarinet Association (ICA). She also served the ICA as Nebraska State Chair (2010-2020), Pedagogy Chair (2016-2018), Artistic Director of the 2012 ClarinetFest®, Past Treasurer (2000-2010), and Coordinator of the High School Solo Competition (2003-2005).

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She also serves as NACWPI Nebraska State Chair and is a Buffet Crampon Artist/Clinician, Légère Endorsing Artist, and Silverstein PRO Team Artist.Barger remains an active soloist and chamber musician, master class clinician, and adjudicator throughout the United States and abroad. Her numerous CD recordings as a soloist and chamber musician are found on the Potenza Music and Crystal Records music labels: Play Pretty with the Amicitia Duo (2020), Conversations with Friends featuring music for clarinet, bassoon, and piano by the Trio 402 (2016), BlingBling (2012) featuring music by Scott McAllister, Music of Theodore Blumer with the Moran Quintet, volumes II and III (2004 and 2007), and Postcards from the Center (1998). A specialist in the genre of operatic fantasies for clarinet based on Vincenzo Bellini operas, Barger can be heard as a featured soloist on the International Clarinet Association's 1998 Recording Project and published 13 editions of Bellini operatic fantasies by various 19th-Century composers, all of which are available through Potenza Music.In addition to her work as a collegiate educator, Barger actively works with pre-college clarinetists and is involved in mentoring her cadre of clarinet instructors at Cornerstone Academy of Clarinet, LLC where she serves as Founder and Professor of Clarinet. Barger received the Doctor of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from the Florida State University where she was a student of Frank Kowalsky. While completing the Graduate Certificate in Performance and Master of Music degrees from Northwestern University she was a student of Robert Marcellus.https://arts.unl.edu/music/faculty/diane-barger