This month our featured “Spotlight” shines on Clarinetist Zakyya McClenny, an exciting new freshman at Peabody!
Zakyya McClenny, Clarinetist
At what age did you begin performing and what inspired you to do so?
I began performing when I was in second grade at the age of 7 years old when I joined an after school program called Play On Philly at my middle school. On some weekends, my mom and I would attend the Nutcracker at what is now the Marian Anderson Hall. I would always look down into the orchestra pit admiring the musicians and imagining one day that could be me. Those moments inspired my love for music and sparked my dream of becoming a professional musician.
What was the most exciting thing that’s happened to you as you’ve pursued the performing arts?
Getting the opportunity to go on tour to Bogotá, Colombia in October, 2024 with the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) National Festival. It was my first time outside of the country and I am extremely grateful that my first international experience was playing music.
What are some stumbling blocks you’ve encountered along the way?
I have sometimes felt unmotivated, which blocked my progress. However, those times in which I experience those feelings teach me the importance of discipline and the ability to seek inspiration even when I don’t feel my best.
Dream big … If you can envision achieving great success in the performing arts, describe what that would that look like?
Great success would be achieving the first African American female principal in one of the major orchestras in the world. Along with that, I want to be the founder and owner of a music school or music festival that creates opportunities for young musicians. I am extremely passionate about using my music to create change in the world, especially in communities like mine that have been underrepresented in classical music.
What’s your favorite genre of music and why?
My favorite genres of music are R&B and Classical because they both heal my soul in different ways. R&B brings me a sense of peace and Classical music connects emotionally to my soul. Both genres make my soul feel whole altogether.
Have you ever met a really famous performing artist and if so, who was it and what was your interaction?
I have had the opportunity to meet several famous performing artists including Mark Dover, Anthony McGill, and Demarre McGill. When I was in a trio up until 7th grade, we had the opportunity to participate in a masterclass with Demarre McGill which was such an inspiring experience. I was introduced to the Imani Winds and played side by side with Mark Dover at one of Play On Philly’s concerts. In 2023, I reunited with them again while opening for them at one of their concerts at an elementary school. Most recently, this past May I attended one of Anthony McGill’s performances at the Perelman Theatre and had the chance to meet him for the first time backstage. Each of these moments was incredibly exciting and meaningful to me as I look up to all of them for their excellence and success as musicians.
Describe what you think would be the most useful or beneficial thing to you, if given the opportunity to mentored by a successful artist?
The most useful or beneficial thing to me would be learning from their experiences, such as the discipline, mindset, etc. it takes to succeed as a professional musician. Getting to hear their journey and some obstacles they overcame would give me insight and motivation to put in place for my own life.
As a performing artist, what stands in the way of fulfilling your dreams?
As a performing artist, self-criticism and self-doubt can stand in the way of fulfilling my dreams knowing how competitive the music world is. However, when I turn those feelings into motivation and confidence, I believe more in myself and my growth.
If you could have lunch with an A-list performing artist, who would that be?
If I could have lunch with an A-list performing artist, it would be Anthony McGill. Where he is right now musically represents my biggest dream. He is the first African American principal in the New York Philharmonic orchestra. I hope to one day become the first African American female principal in one of the major orchestras in the world, so having lunch with him would be very beneficial and inspiring. I’d love a chance to hear his advice, his story, and how he overcame breaking barriers in classical music.
How do you get to Carnegie Hall?
The saying “practice is perfect” applies perfectly because I believe consistent practice, commitment, effort, discipline, and confidence can get me anywhere I ever dreamed of, including Carnegie Hall!
Favorite Musician: Anthony McGill
Favorite Musical Instrument: Cello
Favorite Actor: Ice-T
Favorite Actress: Gina Rodriguez
Favorite Comedian: Kevin Hart
Favorite Dancer: Zendaya
Favorite Movie: Wonder
Favorite Show: Catfish and Grey’s Anatomy
If you couldn’t be a performing artist, what would you like to do?
If I couldn’t be a performing artist, I would like to either be a dancer or a track star because both allow me to express myself through movement. I may be interested in becoming a lawyer also, if I could not be a performing artist because I love standing up for others and being able to make a difference.
Biography
Zakyya McClenny is a Freshman undergrad at The Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University majoring in Clarinet Performance and Music Education, studying under Alexander Fiterstein. Clarinetist Zakyya began her studies in 2nd grade at Saint Francis De Sales School, through Play On Philly’s after school music program. She performed a live taping of PBS’s Tell Me More with Kelly Corrigan on PHL-17’s In Focus with Jennifer Lewis-Hall. Her solo openings for Grammy Award winning musicians The Imani Winds and Cello soloist Tommy Mesa won her a standing ovation at Philadelphia’s own Perelman Theatre.
Throughout her high school years, Zakyya has been a member of The PYO Music Institute in which she has played in the Young Musicians Debut Orchestra up to the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. Zakyya served as Principal Clarinetist of the Play On Philly Children’s Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra along with a Scholar in The Marian Anderson Young Artist Program.
Since 2020, Zakyya has participated in the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles National Festival during the summer. As a direct result of her participation, Zakyya was invited in 2024 and again in 2025 to be a fellow in YOLA’s National Institute. Her success in these endeavors led to an invitation for her to travel out the country to Bogotá, Columbia on tour with the YOLA Orchestra. Zakyya was also selected to participate in the Equity Arc Pathways Program in Chicago as well as a fellow in the Equity Arc Wind Symphony in Washington DC.
Zakyya is passionate about using her music to create change in the world. More specifically in communities like hers, that have been underrepresented in classical music.
