Madeline Wilks is comfortable performing, with both an orchestral and solo repertoire background. She has performed a variety of genre across the United States, Europe, and Canada. Madeline toured in Kansas City, Missouri to perform and premiere 3 new works with the MSU Wind Symphony at the prestigious College Band Director’s National Association Conference. She has also performed operas throughout multiple halls in Europe, including the Estates Theater and Dvorak Hall. In 2022 she was a recording artist for PBS's "Now Hear This" program on Aaron Copland, filmed in Colorado. She is currently Second Bassoon for Dearborn Symphony, in Michigan.
She began classical training on the bassoon in the 7th grade, studying privately with Anthony Georgeson, Associate Principal of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She has completed both a Bachelor of Music degree in Bassoon Performance at Michigan State University under the tutelage of Michael Kroth and a Graduate Degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music under the direction of John Clouser. She is currently working towards her Doctorate of Musical Arts at Michigan State University.
Madeline has a passion for the accessibility of music in the public education system. She completed an educational residency program with local middle and high schools, working with students K-12. She has been on various judging panels for schools, including Solo and Ensemble in Cuyahoga County in 2023. She also lead sectionals and performed with the bassoonists in the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra for over 4 consecutive seasons. This passion for education extends into her teaching private bassoon lessons for over 10 years.
As an entrepreneur, Madeline has been working with local music stores to sell and distribute handmade reeds. She has sold over 300 reeds in the last 2 years and currently works with Meridian Winds in East Lansing to sell "Spartan Reeds". She has also commissioned and premiered over 13 new works, collaborating directly with composers to expand the repertoire for bassoon and to highlight underrepresented communities.
When not playing bassoon, Madeline can be found at home with a good book and her loyal cat Ham.