Gabby Vivona

Hometown

Rancho Santa Margarita, California

Education

California Baptist University, Instrumental Performance, 2025

Instrument

Clarinet

Biography

A Southern California native, Gabby is currently pursuing a B.M. in Clarinet Performance at California Baptist University. In addition to playing clarinet, she also plays bass clarinet, alto saxophone, and tenor saxophone. Gabby aspires to play professionally in orchestras for the stage, screen, and pit. In addition to holding principal positions in the CBU Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and the nationally recognized University Choir and Orchestra, she also is a member of the Gold Wind Symphony in Eastvale, California and is performing with the group during its inaugural season. Through her heavy involvement in ensembles at CBU, Gabby has participated in recording sessions for Tommy Walker, Jesús Molina, and Semsen Music and has traveled with the CBU basketball teams to Las Vegas as a member of the pep band for the Western Athletic Conference three times. Recently, Gabby spent her summer serving as the Personnel Fellow with the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado.

She loves musical theatre, having performed "Seussical: The Musical," "Sideshow," and "Hello, Dolly!" at local middle and high schools as a student herself. She has also performed in CBU's inaugural production of Donizetti's "Elixir of Love," and as principal clarinetist of Gounod's "Romeo and Juliette" and Gilbert and Sulivan’s "Trial by Jury". She was an orchestra member hand-selected by Dr. Glenn Pickett for the world premiere of his newest work for the stage "Dietrich & Maria", in which she performed on three instruments for five sold out shows at the historic Wallace Theatre.

Gabby has studied with Jim Turner, John Reilly, and David Chang. She is learning and gigging simultaneously, and can often be found performing in various local churches. Gabby's accolades include winning the Four Seasons Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition with her performance of Weber's Second Clarinet Concerto. She was a member of the orchestra for four years as principal clarinetist, playing under the baton of Dr. Mark Alpizar, Mr. Denny Bui, and Dr. Dean Anderson. Gabby has also played with the Southern California Youth Symphony Orchestra, and alongside Dana Point Symphony, Irvine Symphony, and the Santa Monica Youth Orchestra. On top of passionately studying, Gabby teaches privately online and out of her home and has been working at Lake Elsinore Middle School as their clarinet coach for the past two years because of background in the marching arts. A fun fact about Gabby is that she works at a music store! In the future, she hopes to build on her experience in music sales and customer service to pivot to music managerial and administration positions alongside her aspirations as an orchestral clarinetist.

What inspired you to go into music?

I started clarinet in elementary school band, just as everyone did as an elective. I really liked it, so continued playing at the middle school and high school level. It wasn't until I played in my first musical in eighth grade that I begun to realize that it was more than a hobby for me. As a sophomore in high school, I was invited by the band director at another high school, who was the assistant conductor of my youth orchestra, to play clarinet in their spring musical. This was before he knew I also played bass clarinet and tenor saxophone. It turns out, the book he was still trying to fill was exactly those three instruments. It was a perfect fit, and I was excited to be back in the pit again. Except, this time it was different. By the time tech week came around, I looked around the pit and realized that I had never been happier. That show sparked something in me that convinced me to pursue music and became a performance major in college. I get that thrill every time I am in the pit, but now also when I am playing in a high-level orchestra, wind ensemble, or chamber group. Music ultimately inspires me. It's a path of expression that resonates with me in a way that I cannot describe.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I love researching family genealogy and have over 15,000 people in my current tree!

What activities do you enjoy in your spare time?

Outside of the orchestra, I love practicing other woodwind instruments that I am trying to learn, reading, hiking, researching family genealogy, and baking. I have two younger brothers who both play water polo on the same varsity high school team, so I can usually be found watching them tear it up in the water. My family also loves to travel and take road trips.

What are you most excited for about this 2024-2025 season?

I am excited for the opportunity to play different 'themes' of music - programmatic pieces, movie music, and especially, Respighi's 'Pines of Rome.'

Favorite Musical Quote:

Oh sing to the Lord a new song,

for he has done marvelous things!

His right hand and his holy arm

have worked salvation for him.

The Lord has made known his salvation;

he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness

to the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;

break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,

with the lyre and the sound of melody!

With trumpets and the sound of the horn

make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

the world and those who dwell in it!

- Psalm 98:1-7