Wendy Kleintank

Wendy Kleintank is a violinist, soprano, music educator, composer, and arranger based in Columbia, Missouri. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Missouri in 2025, with emphases in violin and voice. An active musician throughout the region, Kleintank's work spans orchestral and chamber performance, vocal performance, musical theater, acting, composition, transcription, and arrangement. Her diverse musical background reflects a commitment to exploring a wide range of musical styles and collaborative opportunities.

Orchestral Performance

Kleintank is a Section 1 member of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra and has performed with several ensembles, including the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, University of Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra, Huntington University Orchestra, Manchester Symphony Orchestra, and Columbia Civic Orchestra. Her orchestral leadership experience includes serving as assistant concertmaster of the Huntington University Orchestra, principal second violin of the Columbia Civic Orchestra, and concertmaster for select performances with the University of Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra.

Her concertmaster credits include performances of Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations, Leonard Bernstein's Mass, and Ralph Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem, which she performed on two separate occasions. For George Frideric Handel's Ariodante, she served simultaneously as concertmaster and cover for the role of Dalinda. She also served as concertmaster during rehearsals and preparation for a concert featuring Johann Strauss II's The Blue Danube and Alban Berg's Violin Concerto, though an injury sustained shortly before the performance prevented her from appearing in the concert.

Kleintank also served as associate concertmaster of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America for a performance at Carnegie Hall featuring Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 (Pathétique).

Chamber Music and Collaborative Performance

In addition to her orchestral work, Kleintank has performed with Chamber Soloists, Camerata Chamber Orchestra, and Odyssey chamber ensembles, as well as in a variety of trios, quartets, and quintets.

Her performance experience has taken her to notable venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Embassy Theater, Honeywell Center, Honeywell House, and Missouri Theater. During her musical studies, she was also invited to participate in masterclasses with members of the Berlin Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall and in a mock audition for members of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Vocal Performance

As a soprano, Kleintank has performed with the University Singers at the University of Missouri and Show-Me Opera, participating in staged opera scenes and productions. Her operatic roles and scenes include Olympia in Jacques Offenbach's The Tales of Hoffmann, Lucia in Gaetano Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, Linda in Donizetti's Linda di Chamounix, Najade in Richard Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos, and Giulietta in Vincenzo Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi. She also performed the role of Titania in a fully staged production of Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Kleintank was invited by the director of Manchester University's choir in Indiana to perform with the Manchester Choir at Carnegie Hall in a presentation of Debra Lynn's A Family Portrait.

Additionally, she has presented two solo voice recitals, a solo violin recital, and was the featured performer of a recital in Kansas City.

Theater and Musical Theater

Kleintank's performance experience extends beyond classical music into straight theater and musical theater. Her theatrical credits include Mercutio in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Olivia Shaw in The American Plan, Ismene in Antigone, Milly in The Sequel, and Mary in Mary, Servant of the Lord: A Story of the Annunciation.

The Evergreen Hearts

Kleintank performs with her husband as part of the musical duo The Evergreen Hearts. Their album Finding the Words features songs and lyrics by Moberly, Missouri composer Catherine L. Aman. In collaboration with Aman, Kleintank transcribed the songs, developed written sheet music, and created arrangements for the duo to perform and record. The Evergreen Hearts are preparing for the album's release while continuing to develop future recording projects.

Music Education

Kleintank is an active private music educator at Virtuoso Studios and through her own private teaching studio. She teaches violin, viola, cello, piano, voice, and guitar, tailoring instruction to each student's individual needs, goals, and learning style. Her students have earned national music awards and scholarships, secured placements in selective ensembles, and earned leading roles in theatrical productions.

During her undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri, Kleintank also served as a music theory tutor, helping fellow students develop a deeper understanding of music theory and strengthen their overall musicianship.

Academic Honors and Awards

Kleintank is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honor society, and Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest academic honor society. She received the Pi Kappa Lambda Certificate of Honor for three consecutive years.

Her musical achievements include winning the University of Missouri Emerging Artists Competition, receiving three first-place awards in the Missouri Music Teachers Association State Competition for violin, and winning Virtual Sheet Music's Make the Case competition with her violin performance of Silent Night. She was also the recipient of the Leah Lou Emmons Orchestral Award, a School of Music scholarship, and the Eppley Scholarship from the Wabash County Community Foundation.

In composition, Kleintank won a competition through the Liberty Theater Association for the Arts with her original work 19n20.

Recording Experience

Kleintank's recording credits include Merry Music, In Harmony, Honeywell House Recital, and Finding the Words. She was also featured as violin soloist on a recording of Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Additionally, she served as concertmaster for a recording with Vox Nova for composer Hans Bridger Heruth's upcoming album Becoming.

Radio

In addition to her performance and teaching work, Kleintank is a classical music programmer for KOPN 89.5 FM in Columbia, Missouri, where she produces a weekly three-hour program for the segment Morning Ayre.

Kleintank remains active in the regional music community through frequent performances, recording projects, composition, transcription, arrangement, and music education. Across her varied pursuits, she is dedicated to musical excellence and creating meaningful musical experiences for performers, students, and audiences alike.