Grand Rapids Symphony

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CLARINET

Buffalo New York native Michael Kornacki took his first clarinet lesson on his 10th birthday. From that day he knew he wanted to become a professional clarinetist. He has been playing professionally since age 16.  Being a professional was not enough for a teenager who wanted to know everything about the clarinet. Michael went on to attend State University of New York at  Fredonia where he studied with James East and earned a Bachelor of Music degree. Michael was granted a graduate assistantship at Michigan State University where he studied with Fred Ormand. While earning his Master's degree at MSU, Michael began subbing with the Grand Rapids Symphony, later winning an audition for the Assistant Principal/Second Clarinet position. After graduate school, he continued studying the clarinet with legendary teachers like the late Robert Marcellus, Clark Brody, Alan Balter, Richard Hawkins and Linda Bartley.

One of west Michigan's most sought out clarinetists, Michael has performed and taught at many music festivals in Michigan. Michael has been a private studio instructor for over 30 years and has served on the faculties of Calvin College, Aquinas College and Grand Valley State University. Future performance projects include a world premiere recording of Alan Hovhaness' Sonata for Two Clarinets  on the OgreOgress label. 

In addition to performing, Michael has an insatiable curiosity in clarinet acoustics and has a vast collection of hundreds of clarinet mouthpieces and barrels. He has worked extensively with instrument maker Robert Scott on mouthpiece refacing and clarinet acoustics. 

Since 1979, Michael has been the Assistant Principal/Second Clarinet for the Grand Rapids Symphony. In addition to these duties, he is also a member of the Grand Rapids Symphony's Wunderwind Quintet performing education concerts throughout West Michigan.

Send an email to Michael Kornacki