Ciarra is from the Northern Kentucky region and is currently residing in Iowa City, IA. Ciarra earned her Bachelors Degree in both Music Education and Trumpet Performance from Eastern Kentucky University, studying under Joseph Van Fleet. She recently finished her Masters Degree at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music studying under Professor John Rommel for Trumpet Performance and with Kris Kwapis for Natural Trumpet. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance at the University of Iowa as the Research Assistant for the Trumpet Studio. She coaches and performs with the Trumpet Ensemble at the University of Iowa preparing them for the National Trumpet Competition and plays in the Faculty Brass Quintet. Ciarra played internationally in Greece in 2013, was a State representative for the Music Teachers National Association in 2015, winner of the Eastern Kentucky University Concerto Competition in 2016 and a finalist in the Indiana University Concerto Competition in 2018. Ciarra’s teaching philosophy is to challenge her students to be the best they can be while having a positive outlook on trumpet playing and life. Her goal is to prepare students from all walks of life for success, regardless of their personal and professional goals. Ciarra currently teaches a private studio in the Iowa City area, and spends her summers teaching brass sections in Kentucky.
Education
August 2019-May 2022 University of Iowa, DMA
August 2017-May 2019 Indiana University, MM
August 2012- May 2017 Eastern Kentucky University, BM/BMA
Performance Experience
2019-Present University of Iowa Symphony Orchestra
2019-Present University of Iowa New Music Ensemble
2019-Present Iowa Brass Quintet
2019-2020 University of Iowa National Trumpet Competition Ensemble
2017-2019 Indiana University Ensembles
2018 Concerto Competition Finalist, Indiana University
2013- 2017 Kentucky Bach Choir Orchestra, Lexington Kentucky
2013-2017 Freelance Performances, Central and Northern Kentucky
2012-2016 Eastern Kentucky University Ensembles
2016 Concerto Competition Winner, Eastern Kentucky University
2013, 2015 Intercollegiate Symphonic Band, Kentucky Music Educators
Association
August 2019-May 2022 University of Iowa, DMA
August 2017-May 2019 Indiana University, MM
August 2012- May 2017 Eastern Kentucky University, BM/BMA
Performance Experience
2019-Present University of Iowa Symphony Orchestra
2019-Present University of Iowa New Music Ensemble
2019-Present Iowa Brass Quintet
2019-2020 University of Iowa National Trumpet Competition Ensemble
2017-2019 Indiana University Ensembles
2018 Concerto Competition Finalist, Indiana University
2013- 2017 Kentucky Bach Choir Orchestra, Lexington Kentucky
2013-2017 Freelance Performances, Central and Northern Kentucky
2012-2016 Eastern Kentucky University Ensembles
2016 Concerto Competition Winner, Eastern Kentucky University
2013, 2015 Intercollegiate Symphonic Band, Kentucky Music Educators
Association
Teaching Experience
2019- Present Teaching Assistant, University of Iowa
2012-Present Marching Band Instructor
2012-Present PrivateTrumpet Studio, 4-15 students
Spring 2017 Student Teacher, Full Time, Scott County
2012-2016 Student Teacher, Part Time, Madison County
2011-2012 Teaching Assistant, Williamstown Independent
Awards and Acknowledgements
Present Research Assistant, University of Iowa
Present Merit Scholarship, University of Iowa
2017-2019 Merit Scholarship, Indiana University
2018 Finalist in Concerto Competition, Indiana University
2012-2017 Merit Scholarship, Eastern Kentucky University
2016 Concerto Competition Winner, Eastern Kentucky university
2015 Music Teachers National Association, Solo Brass State
Representative
Primary Teachers
2019-Present Amy Schendel, Professor of Trumpet
2017- 2019 John Rommel, Professor of Trumpet
2018-2019 Krist Kwapis, Professor of Natural Trumpet
2010-2017 Joseph Van Fleet, Professor of Trumpet
2011-2017 Vincent DiMartino
2008-2009 Bryan Crisp, Instructor of Trumpet
2019- Present Teaching Assistant, University of Iowa
2012-Present Marching Band Instructor
2012-Present PrivateTrumpet Studio, 4-15 students
Spring 2017 Student Teacher, Full Time, Scott County
2012-2016 Student Teacher, Part Time, Madison County
2011-2012 Teaching Assistant, Williamstown Independent
Awards and Acknowledgements
Present Research Assistant, University of Iowa
Present Merit Scholarship, University of Iowa
2017-2019 Merit Scholarship, Indiana University
2018 Finalist in Concerto Competition, Indiana University
2012-2017 Merit Scholarship, Eastern Kentucky University
2016 Concerto Competition Winner, Eastern Kentucky university
2015 Music Teachers National Association, Solo Brass State
Representative
Primary Teachers
2019-Present Amy Schendel, Professor of Trumpet
2017- 2019 John Rommel, Professor of Trumpet
2018-2019 Krist Kwapis, Professor of Natural Trumpet
2010-2017 Joseph Van Fleet, Professor of Trumpet
2011-2017 Vincent DiMartino
2008-2009 Bryan Crisp, Instructor of Trumpet