Hakeem Davidson earned his DMA in Clarinet Performance from Michigan State University where he was a student of Dr. Guy Yehuda. He was a regular rotating section member of the MSU Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony, appearing on the last two CDs recorded by the Wind Symphony. Aside from playing in MSU ensembles, he has been performing with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra since 2018 and spent Summer 2018 performing in the American Modern Orchestra in Saratoga Springs, NY, collaborating for performances with new composers and conductors.

Prior to University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Hakeem was the clarinet instructor at Albion College in Albion, MI. He previously taught clarinet and saxophone at the Okemos Academy of Music (Okemos, MI) and coached the Fresno Youth Orchestra wind section (Fresno, CA).

Hakeem has performed in a variety of chamber music settings in Germany and toured as the clarinetist in the Pure Winds Quintet throughout Mid-Michigan in its inaugural season.

His doctoral document is entitled Memorization; a Study for Memorized Musical Performances details the psychological functions of memory and serves as a guide to help musicians develop the skill of memorizing.

Originally from Desoto, Tx, Hakeem studied with Dr. Carol Jessup at the University of Texas at Arlington. He then went on to earn a master’s degree as one of Dr. Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr’s final two students.

Aside from music making, Hakeem enjoys going museums, hiking, and long road trips.