Prof. Linda Merrick (England)
Principal, Royal Northern College of Music

Professor Linda Merrick CBE is the Principal of the RNCM and an internationally renowned clarinet soloist, recording artist, and pedagogue.

Her catalogue of over 40 solo recordings features new concertos she has commissioned by Gary Carpenter, Nigel Clarke, Martin Ellerby, John McLeod, Stephen McNeff, Edwin Roxburgh, Philip Sparke, Philip Spratley, Kit Turnbull, and Guy Woolfenden for labels including Naxos, Chandos, NMC, Guild, and Metier. She has also released premiere recordings of clarinet quintets with the Navarra and Kreutzer Quartets by composers including Simon Bainbridge, Nigel Clarke, Robert Crawford, Michael Finnissy, Wilfred Josephs, John McCabe and Edwin Roxburgh, with recordings of works by Adam Gorb, David Horne, Mihailo Trandifilovski, Paul Patterson and Paul Pellay due to be released in 2024. In addition, Linda has commissioned and recorded over 20 works for clarinet and electronics, and released two CDs featuring works for clarinet and harpsichord by Robert Keeley.

Linda has performed as a concerto soloist across America, Asia, Europe, South America, and countries such as Australia, the UAE, and the UK. Her performances were broadcast for BBC Radio 3, Radio France, DRS1 Switzerland, CKWR Canada, and Arte TV South Korea. As a founder member of the contemporary ensemble 'Sounds Positive,' Linda has premiered over 80 chamber works for winds and piano by British composers, and released a further three CDs.

In addition to her position as Principal at the RNCM, Linda is Chair of Conservatoires UK and UK representative for TW Howarth Clarinets. She was awarded a CBE for services to music in higher education in the 2023 King's New Year Honours.