Clara Gerdes Joins Duke University Music Faculty

For organist and harpsichordist Clara Gerdes, inspiration struck at just 13 years old in a Charlotte church.

“When I was 13 or so, I went to an organ concert at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, and the program included the organ's stop list,” she recalls. “I was absolutely amazed by the complexity and all the sound possibilities. I couldn't stop thinking about it. After that, I knew that I HAD to take lessons!”

That spark ignited a path that has taken Gerdes from her native North Carolina to some of the world’s most prestigious halls and now, back home again, to Duke University.

Training and Career

Gerdes went on to study at the Curtis Institute of Music, where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree under Alan Morrison. She later completed her Master of Music at the Yale School of Music and Institute of Sacred Music, studying with Martin Jean. Along the way, she honed a reputation as a performer of both organ and harpsichord, celebrated for her nuanced interpretations and technical command.

Her career has taken her to acclaimed venues across the United States and Europe. She has appeared at the Aspen Music Festival, the Oregon Bach Festival, and the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts, and has performed in concert halls, cathedrals, and historic churches alike. In addition to solo performance, she is a sought-after collaborator with chamber ensembles, bringing keyboard continuo and early music expertise to the stage.

A prizewinner at numerous competitions, Gerdes has been recognized by the Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival and the Musica Sacra International Competition. She is also active in commissioning and premiering new works for organ, blending her love of tradition with an eye toward the future.

A Family Connection to Duke

Joining the Duke faculty feels like a personal homecoming. “I definitely have a personal connection to Duke; I'm a native North Carolinian and my grandfather and great-grandfather both attended the school—before it was officially Duke University, even!”

That sense of history and place makes this appointment especially meaningful.

Teaching and Performance at Duke

While organ is her primary instrument, Gerdes is eager to expand her work in chamber music. “Although Organ is my primary instrument, I am thrilled to have the chance to play harpsichord more often and in a chamber music setting,” she says.

She is particularly excited about an upcoming highlight: “I am especially excited for the Gala Concert at the end of this month.”

Her presence adds depth to Duke’s vibrant musical community, not only as a performer but as a mentor for students exploring both the grandeur of the organ and the intimacy of early keyboard instruments.

Musical Heroes and Inspirations

Asked who she would most like to share a meal with, Gerdes doesn’t hesitate: “If I could have dinner with any famous musician—definitely J.S. Bach.” It’s a fitting choice for a performer who bridges the centuries between Baroque masterpieces and modern performance practice with grace and curiosity.

Looking Ahead

As she begins her tenure at Duke, Gerdes brings both international experience and deep local roots. From her first encounter with an organ stop list in Charlotte to her return as a faculty member at one of North Carolina’s great universities, her journey underscores the power of a single moment of inspiration to shape a lifetime.

With her artistry, devotion to teaching, and commitment to expanding the role of the organ and harpsichord in contemporary music-making, Clara Gerdes is set to make a lasting impact on Duke’s musical landscape.