Artist Kole Wentling

Kole Wentling is a music educator and multi-instrumentalist performer in Erie Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a concentration in Clarinet and Trombone from Mercyhurst University, studying under Rebecca Wunch and Kent Tucker. Kole has performed in several auditioned ensembles within the last decade, including: 2019 and 2020 PMEA All-State Honors ensembles on bass clarinet, The 2021 National Intercollegiate Band on bass clarinet, and performing solo on clarinet with Mercyhurst University’s Civic Orchestra after winning the Aria/Concerto Competition in 2024. Kole also participates in four groups with both instruments in Erie including: The Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra, Gem City Jazz Ensemble, The iSh, and his very own jazz combo, Swing Syndicate.

As an educator, Kole has served in numerous places, ranging from private study, to group instruction. He currently teaches at Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy for guitar, piano, and advanced voice, as well as Iroquois school district as the Assistant Marching band director. Starting his studio in October of 2023, Kole privately teaches 24 students on woodwind and brass instruments at World of Music in Erie, additionally holding a current 100% acceptance rate for senior students pursuing a degree in music. He is an advocate for giving all students, no matter age, disability, or financial status, opportunities for music and music education.