Michael Rusinek

Michael Rusinek joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 1998 as principal clarinet. He has also performed as principal clarinet with the orchestras of Philadelphia and St. Louis, the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada; and as assistant principal clarinet of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Rusinek has often been a concerto soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony, where in 2008 he premiered a new concerto by Alan Fletcher. He has performed as a soloist and recitalist throughout Canada, the United States, and Israel, including appearances with the Belgrade and Czech philharmonics and the Toronto Symphony.

In 1985 Mr. Rusinek received the grand prize in the International Clarinet Society competition. He returns regularly to the Grand Teton, Santa Fe Chamber, and Aspen music festivals. He has also participated in the Tanglewood and Marlboro festivals and toured with the acclaimed Musicians from Marlboro.

Born in Toronto, Canada, Mr. Rusinek studied with Avrahm Galper at the Royal Conservatory of Music and with Donald Montanaro at the Curtis Institute of Music.

Mr. Rusinek is on the music faculty of Carnegie Mellon University and joined the Curtis faculty in 2012.