Rhea Beerman Peal Chair
John Kurokawa currently performs as Principal Clarinetist of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, and Springfield Symphony Orchestra (OH). He has also performed as guest Eb clarinetist and guest Principal Clarinetist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera and as guest Principal Clarinetist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra in Columbus, OH. An avid chamber musician, he gives educational concerts at schools all over the Miami Valley with the Dayton Philharmonic Woodwind Quintet and is a founding member of the Prestige Clarinet Quartet, which has been a featured ensemble at the Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium, International Clarinet Association Clarinetfest, and many other universities and national symposia.
Kurokawa is also Senior Lecturer of Clarinet at Wright State University. In addition to teaching applied clarinet, he teaches courses in woodwind chamber music, woodwind pedagogy, and music education. A highly sought after teacher and clinician, he continues to present masterclasses and clinics for colleges, high schools, and youth orchestras across the midwest.
Kurokawa holds the B.M. in woodwind performance (specializing in clarinet, flute, and saxophone) from Bowling Green State University and the M.M. in clarinet performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He performs exclusively on the Yamaha CSG III Clarinet and Yamaha Custom 881 Eb Clarinet and is a Yamaha Performing Artist.