Jessica Speak has been on the faculty at Stetson University since 2012. She teaches applied clarinet, pedagogy for winds and percussion, orchestral excerpts, functional keyboard, conducts the clarinet choir and coaches woodwind chamber music. She also performs regularly with area ensembles, including the Bach Festival Orchestra, Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, Southern Winds Symphonic Band and the Walt Disney World Orchestra. She maintains a private studio and presents master classes and serves as an adjudicator for various events throughout Florida.

Dr. Speak has a special interest in contemporary music, especially works incorporating extended performance techniques. She performs regularly as a soloist, presenting new and adventurous works. She is a founding member of The Sunshine Clarinet Quintet and 421 Duo; both groups have commissioned and premiered new compositions. An ardent advocate for new music in the Central Florida area, she serves as president of the Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, where she coordinates operations and fundraising efforts to grow the organization and keep them performing new compositions written by active composers and arrangers.

Jessica received her DMA in clarinet performance from Florida State University, her MM in clarinet performance from SUNY Purchase College and a BM in clarinet performance from Stetson University. Her primary teachers include Deborah Bish, Ayako Oshima Neidich and Lynn Musco. In addition to her love and commitment to music, performing, collaboration and teaching, she serves as a broker of her family’s property management company.