Guy Yehuda

Biography

Israeli-Americanclarinetist Guy Yehuda is recognized as one of the most outstanding and unique talents on the international concert stage today. Hailed by composer John Corigliano as “One of the most awe-inspiring clarinetists today”, He has won several international competitions, such as the Heida Hermanns International Woodwind Competition and the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition as the gold medalist. Mr. Yehuda has toured extensively in Europe, North and South America, Israel, South Korea and China. As principal clarinetist, he has performed with the Israel Philharmonic, Lucerne Contemporary Festival Orchestra, Chicago Civic Orchestra, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Haifa Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, among others, as well as guest clarinetist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.  A highly demanded musician, he has performed as soloist and chamber musician around the world, including at the Israeli Chamber Music Festivals in Tel Aviv and Haifa. Yehuda is a sought-after recitalist throughout North America, Europe and Asia. He has performed as soloist in prestigious halls and venues such as Carnegie Hall, Domain Forget, (Canada), Chicago Symphony Hall, Palacio Fuz and Casa di Musica in Portugal, Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv and Dame Myra Hess Chamber Series.   Yehuda’s discography recordings won many acclaims and rave reviews. His varied discography includes CDs on XII-21, Albany records, and Blue Griffin record labels

Yehuda has given master classes throughout the U.S, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Europe, China, and Israel. He is the Associate Professor and Artist Teacher of Clarinet at Michigan State University College of Music, and principal clarinetist with the Lansing Symphony and Jackson Symphony Orchestras. He is the Artistic Director of the Henri Selmer International Summer Academy in Michigan, as well as the clarinet faculty resident at the Vianden Summer Festival in Europe, Aria International Music Festival in Massachusetts and Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy in California.

Yehuda has a strong connection to Israel and its music world. Aside from performing in Israel with some of Israel’s best ensembles such as the Tel-Aviv soloists, The Israeli Contemporary Ensemble and more, he continues to work with composers from Israel and commissioning new works. During his recent sabbatical semester to Israel, Yehuda concert toured and recorded a new work written for him by composer Daniel Akiva: Safaradic Anthology for clarinet and guitar to be released soon on CD. Yehuda’s interest in Jewish music led to performances around the world of major Jewish works and the launch of the Klezmer group Guy and the Yehudas in Jacksonville, Florida. In collaboration with the Serling Institute, and the College of Music, Yehuda plans to bring more Jewish and Israeli art music to Michigan State University and to engage the surrounding community with the experience of Jewish, Israeli Music and culture.