Katherine Lacy
Principal Clarinet
Katherine Lacy grew up in Wrexham and studied at Chetham’s School of Music followed by the Royal Academy of Music.
At the RAM she won the prestigious Buffet Crampon Clarinet Prize in her first year and from her third year onwards combined her studies with regular freelance work with orchestras including the Philharmonia, London Sinfonietta and London Symphony Orchestra.
In 2009 she gave the world premiere of Ian Gardiner’s “Spinning and Weaving” for solo bass clarinet and ensemble with the RLPO’s Ensemble 10/10 at the Wigmore Hall and also performed clarinet concerti with the orchestra as soloist when they appeared in her hometown, Wrexham.
In 2013 Katherine enjoyed a brief period as the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s bass clarinetist but in 2015 achieved her dream of becoming a principal clarinet, when she was offered the first clarinet job with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a position she still holds and loves!
In 2018 Katherine released her critically-acclaimed debut solo recording with the RPO of Mozart’s Concerto and Quintet, now a regular feature on Classic Fm. Throughout her time with the RPO she has performed the concerto on numourous occasions across the country, as well as twice in their London home, Cadogan Hall.
Despite her work in London, Katherine remains a proud resident of the Northwest! She currently lives in Chester with her husband and two children and enjoys combining her role in the RPO with family life and her teaching position at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.
Before her appointment as Principal Clarinet with Manchester Camerata, she performed as soloist with them in 2023, alongside principal bassoon Ben Hudson, playing Strauss’ Duet Concertino and since then she has enjoyed performances of the sublime Schubert Octet, Mozart piano and wind quintet and two wonderful projects with principal conductor Gábor Takács-Nagy. To be offered the principal clarinet position with them is the icing on the cake and a dream come true and Katherine is looking forward to all the exciting and inspirational musical experiences that lie ahead!
Main Photo credit Black Swan
Katherine’s chair is generously supported by Nic Hailey. If you would like to find out more about how you can support one of our musicians, please contact our Head of Philanthropy, Ruth Ellul, by emailing her here.
