McKinley Baker (he/him/his) is a performer and educator based in Oklahoma. He currently serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Oklahoma, pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance. In this role, McKinley teaches private clarinet lessons, assists with teaching clarinet in the woodwind methods course, and completes administrative tasks for the clarinet studio. He has performed across the United States at conferences such as the ICA Low Clarinet Fest and the Music by Women Festival. Also, McKinley is a core member of the Pathfinders Trio, a mixed woodwind and brass trio. McKinley has earned previous degrees at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (MM Clarinet Performance & PBC Musicology) and East Carolina University (BM Clarinet Performance & BM Music Education). His primary teachers include Suzanne Tirk, Anthony Taylor, Luke Ellard, and Douglas Moore-Monroe. 

When asked why McKinley wanted to become a Copeland Artist he said, “I fully believe that this company provides high-quality clarinets at very affordable prices and I want to promote their business by helping others explore this brand and what it has to offer. After getting to know Ashley and Jonathan as a Copeland Young Artist, particularly about the values of the company, I knew this was a brand I wanted to be a part of. Currently, I am playing on the Copeland Telos clarinets, as well as the Copeland Harmonia E-flat clarinet. The instruments have a rich and vibrant sound, and I am able to play in different types of ensembles with ease. As an auxiliary clarinet performer, the Copland harmony clarinets perform beautifully and I have been amazed by what can be accomplished on these instruments. Overall, I just love what this company stands for. Thank you to Jonathan and Ashley for providing me this platform!”

Outside of music, McKinley likes to travel and enjoy his time with friends and family. Follow him on Facebook, and on Instagram as @mckinley_clarinets.