Vince Dominguez
Dr. Vince Dominguez is an award-winning Mexican clarinetist, music educator, drag artist, and designer based in Providence, RI.
During the 2020 lockdowns when live performances and traditional jobs in music became impossible, Vince created Claire Annette, his drag persona who blends classical music with the art of drag as a way to continue performing and teaching beyond the concert hall. Based out of New England, Claire is in demand nationwide, delivering a fresh take on what it means to be a pro musician in the 21st century. Known for her glampy style, musical virtuosity, and electrifying live performances, she is the recipient of Best Local Artist and Top Drag Performer in Rhode Island’s 2023 Options Awards, and is the 2023 Miss Gay New England USofA Newcomer title holder. Just ahead, Claire will be featured as a headlining artist at the 2024 ClarinetFest Conference in Dublin, Ireland––an unprecedented moment for the classical music world. As a modern icon for both queer and BIPOC representation, Claire has already left an impact, forging new audiences in unconventional venues, inspiring musicians of all levels to celebrate their individuality, and making classical music more accessible. She is proud to be a blueprint for breaking old expectations and creating space for vulnerable communities to feel empowered during a time when anti-drag and LGBTQIA+ legislation continues to intensify.
An in-demand music educator and clinician, Vince serves on the faculty at The Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School, Rhode Island College, and has taught masterclasses and guest lectures at schools across the country since 2017. Dominguez maintains an active performance career, performing as a solo artist, chamber musician and subs with orchestras across New England. He has performed and presented at conferences for the Arizona Music Educators Association, The College Music Society, International Clarinet Association (ICA), National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC), the North American Saxophone Alliance and SPHINX Connect.
Outside of music education and performance, Vince has 10 years of experience in administration, holding communications, design, and marketing leadership roles with non-profit organizations such as the Merit School of Music, Ravinia Festival, Lexington Philharmonic, and Quinteto Latino, a chamber music ensemble dedicated to addressing racial and economic disparities within the classical music field by championing past, present, and future contributions by Latino composers and musicians.
Vince completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Arizona State University in April 2020, where he held one of two competitive graduate teaching assistantships. His project featured a performance guide and three commissioned works for clarinet by acclaimed Mexican composers Victor Ibarra, Hilda Paredes, and Juan Trigos, each underscoring current sociopolitical issues across the US and Latin America. He is passionate about amplifying queer & BIPOC voices and fighting for causes that seek to dismantle barriers in classical music.
Dr. Vince Dominguez is proudly using Henri SELMER Paris Privilège clarinets.
Photo credit: Alejandro Carvajal
