Christopher Ayer, a native of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, is Professor of Music at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he coordinates undergraduate and graduate clarinet study and performs with the Stone Fort Wind Quintet. He has studied with Thomas Martin, Associate Principal Clarinetist with the Boston Symphony, and Ronald de Kant, former Principal Clarinetist of the Vancouver Symphony. Prior to his appointment at SFA, Dr. Ayer was the clarinet professor and orchestra conductor at Eastern New Mexico University. He holds graduate performance degrees in clarinet from the New England Conservatory of Music and the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
As an active recitalist, Dr. Ayer often performs with his wife, pianist Kae Hosoda-Ayer, as Duo Karudan. He has performed chamber recitals and presented master classes throughout the US, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong and Australia. Dr. Ayer has performed as principal clarinetist with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra in Louisiana, and he has presented lectures at conferences of the International Clarinet Association, the Midwest Clinic, the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
