10/19/2026
Congratulations to UMKC Alumnus, Luke Vasilarakos '25, who is the winner of the Principal Clarinet; Randall Cunningham Legacy Chair of the Saint Joseph Symphony!
Loucas (Luke) Vasilarakos is an active freelance clarinetist and educator based in Kansas City, Missouri. He holds the position of Adjunct Instructor of Clarinet at Washburn University, in addition to several teaching posts at area schools and organizations. As a performer, Luke is the Second Clarinet with the Topeka Symphony Orchestra; he appears as a substitute musician with the Kansas City Symphony, St. Joseph Symphony, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, International Center for Music Orchestra at Park University, and the Midwest Chamber Ensemble. Previously, he spent the 2025-2026 season as Interim Second Clarinet with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. Luke also holds performance and administrative positions with the Kansas City Sinfonietta, a local chamber orchestra of which he was a founding member. As an advocate of chamber music and new commissions, Luke has collaborated with composers to interpret and expand the repertoire for clarinet. In 2024, he was the dedicatee of new works arranged for clarinet by decorated composer Chen Yi. He has performed internationally with the Talis Festival (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina) and the ÓperaMaya Music Festival (Cancun, Mexico), as well as domestically with regional orchestras, theaters, and wind ensembles. Luke earned his Artist’s Certificate and Master of Music degree in Clarinet Performance from the UMKC Conservatory, where he studied with Dr. Jane Carl.
