Biography

American clarinetist and pedagogue Michael Dean has performed as a recitalist and master clinician internationally and across the United States to much acclaim. On a recent tour of music schools in England he was praised as "dynamic," "inspirational," "super," and "a brilliant performer." The tour was highlighted by a stop at the world-renowned Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Recital appearances at Carnegie Hall, the prestigious international ClarinetFest, and the NACWPI National Symposium headline Michael Dean's extensive and versatile performing career. On tours of New York, Florida, California and Texas, his recitals and master classes have been enthusiastically received at prominent music schools such as Eastman, Ithaca, Crane, Florida State, Florida, UCF, USF, CalArts, Cal State Northridge, Cal State Long Beach, Rice, SMU, TCU, Texas State, and the University of North Texas. This fall, he will tour Arizona, Nevada, and California - Arizona State, Arizona, NAU, UNLV, CalArts and San Diego State.

His recent solo CD, Desertscape: New Music for Clarinet, consists of works he has commissioned and premiered. In a review of the CD, the NACWPI Journal says, "Dean performs the works here admirably, and makes them all sound easy, the mark of a true professional. His use of dynamic contrasts is especially striking." In another review, MusicWeb International praises Michael Dean's clarinet tone and his "expressive phrasing." The CD is available for purchase and digital download at iTunes.com, Amazon.com, vcisinc.com, and CDBaby.com.

Michael Dean is also featured on a recently-released new CD, Woodwind Music of Robert Fruehwald, Vol. 1. A second CD of Fruehwald's music for woodwinds (Vol. 2) featuring Michael Dean will be available in 2012. A new solo CD, Mysteries, is in preparation and will also be available in 2012. Dean also appears as chamber musician and soloist on another CD, Red Mesa Trio.

He has performed with the Southwest Symphony Orchestra, Nevada Symphony Orchestra, Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, Garland Symphony Orchestra, Mesquite Symphony Orchestra, Southeast Chamber Players, and the Red Mesa Trio. He currently performs with the Paducah Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to commissioning, premiering, and editing numerous new clarinet works, he has published a book, Clarinet On Campus. His publications also include articles in journals such as Southwestern Musician, WINDPLAYER, NACWPI Journal, The Clarinet (forthcoming) and The Bandmasters' Review. He also actively writes for his own clarinet blog, clarinetmike.wordpress.com.

Michael Dean has given more than 200 clinics, master classes, and performances at high schools, colleges, universities, and conferences across the United States and abroad. He is the founder and host of the annual Southeast Missouri Single Reed Day festival in Cape Girardeau.

Dr. Dean is Associate Professor of Clarinet and Saxophone at Southeast Missouri State University. He currently serves as Immediate Past-President of the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors (NACWPI) and Co-Director of the NACWPI 2012 National Conference. His biography is included in Gianluca Campagnolo's "The Great Clarinetists" from his New Complete Method for Clarinet. Michael Dean's professional web page is clarinetmike.com. He lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri with his wife, two children, and golden retriever, Andy.