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Vision Statement:
The Matchstick Bassoon Quartet are a group of like-minded bassoonists, working in various facets of the music industry as performers, educators, composers, and arts administrators. We strive to use our platform to advocate for a more equitable and inclusive present and future of classical music.
As an ensemble, we seek to enrich our community through shared musical experience. In performance, we combine the whimsy inherent to the bassoon quartet with meaningful artistry that engages audiences from all walks of life. Our programming supports the work of living composers through the commissioning of new music for four bassoons.
We prioritize representing diverse musical voices while working to expand the catalog of original repertoire available for the ensemble.
We strongly believe in the importance of supporting young bassoonists and contributing to the pedagogical discourse for our instrument. Our educational programming includes workshops, masterclasses, and chamber music coaching's for school- aged and college students. Our inaugural performance season featured the premiere of Generations by emerging composer Daniel- Jericho Johnson (they/them) at Shenandoah University, as well as a performance tour in the D.C. Metro area.
Our Members:
Clair Cangialosi (She/Her):
Dr. Clair Cangialosi enjoys an active career as a performer and educator in the Northern Virginia area, most recently with the Matchsticks Bassoon Quartet and the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra.
Clair has worked with woodwind students in grades 4-12 as well as at the university level in private lesson and masterclass settings. She is passionate about supporting current and future music educators in the development of their double reed pedagogy. In addition to her private studio, Clair has taught music theory and ear training at Shenandoah Conservatory, and is on the faculty of the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy in Winchester VA. In July 2025, she joined the team at Hodge Products Inc. as the Bassoon and Digital Content Specialist.
Dr. Cangialosi currently serves her profession as a member of the IDRS Pedagogy Committee. Her article, “Resonant, Rich, and Ringing: Defining the Singing Bassoon Sound,” was published in the December 2024 edition of The Double Reed Journal, and her recent transcription, Twenty-five vocalises for bassoon and piano is available from Trevco Music.
Clair holds a Bachelor’s degree in music education (’17), Professional Performance Certificate (’18), and Master’s degree in bassoon performance (’20) from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She earned her DMA in bassoon performance from Shenandoah University in May 2024. She has studied bassoon with Janet Grice, Stephen Walt, Remy Taghavi, and Ryan Romine as well as voice with Byron Jones.
Fun Fact: Clair does yoga every day!
Chris Werner (She/They):
Chris Werner (she/they), is a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Bassoon Performance student at the University of Arizona, Tucson, studying with Dr. Marissa Olegario. Chris has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Cal Poly Humboldt University, where he studied bassoon with Virgina Ryder. They received a Master of Music in Bassoon Performance from the University of Idaho, Moscow, where they studied with Dr. Javier Rodriguez.
A native of the East Bay Area in California, they have performed as a freelance artist in wind ensembles, orchestras, chamber groups, and even pep bands all over California, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Missouri, Kansas, and now Arizona. They have a passion for music education and champion equity, diversity, and access in music spaces and classrooms. Chris has taught middle school choir and band, elementary instrumental music, and coached high school marching band woodwind sections. Chris performs a variety of repertoire, focusing on music by underrepresented communities.
In their free time, Chris enjoys community building, outdoor activities like hiking and camping, cooking, attending drag shows, a cold beer with friends, and exploring wherever they are currently living.
James B. Scott (They/them):
James B. Scott (They/them) is a performer, collaborator, teacher, composer, and puzzle quality control technician.
James’ biggest goals as a performer are to help bring the music of traditionally underrepresented groups to the forefront to give their talents the recognition they deserve and to program works by living composers.
They have been composing for most of their musical journey, using composition as a tool to aid their musical growth and understanding on the bassoon. Early on, their music was inspired by Japanese video game music and traditional Hawaiian songs as their musical journey began as a military transplant living on the island of Oahu.
Today their music has enjoyed performances at places such as The International Double Reed Society annual conference and at university's across the United States.
James holds a Bachelors of Bassoon performance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master's of Bassoon performance from Colorado State University.
Fun fact: In high school James was in a punk-rock cover band on bassoon/ukulele!
Stephanie Tripp (She/Her):
Stephanie is an advocate for accessible music education and showcasing the works of underrepresented composers.
When she is not playing the bassoon, Stephanie enjoys traveling, running, baking, caring for her plants, spending time with her friends, family, and cat Scarlet.
Stephanie holds a Master's of Music degree from University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee and a Bachelors of Music degree from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, NC.
Fun fact: Stephanie is an avid Formula 1 fan and car enthusiast!
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