Sean Krissman, clarinet

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in Los Angeles, California, clarinetist Sean Krissman has established himself as an engaging, multi-faceted performer and avid educator.

Sean currently serves as Principal Clarinet of the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra. During his tenure at HGO, Sean completed his Master of Music degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music under the tutelage of Richie Hawley. He received his Bachelor of Music degree with Highest Honors from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and has studied extensively with Dan Gilbert, Chad Burrow, and Yehuda Gilad.

Winner of the Gino B. Cioffi Memorial Prize at the Tanglewood Music Center, Sean has spent previous summers at Crested Butte Music Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, Tanglewood Music Center, Music Academy of the West, The Banff Centre, National Repertory Orchestra, and AIMS Graz. Currently during the summers, Sean serves as 2nd and Eb Clarinet of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music.

In addition to being featured as a soloist with the National Repertory Orchestra, University of Michigan Philharmonia, and Cole Conservatory Orchestra, Sean has performed with the New York Philharmonic as an inaugural Zarin Mehta Fellow. Other orchestral appearances include performances with Houston Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, and guest Principal Clarinet with Pacific Symphony.

Beyond performance, Sean holds a strong passion for music education and outreach. As a former Young Artist with Da Camera of Houston and member of Rice University’s JUMP! program, he frequently engages in numerous outreach initiatives in the greater Houston community. Sean also teaches at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory and maintains a private clarinet studio.

Alongside his love of music, Sean has an affinity for traveling, an irrational loyalty to the Los Angeles Lakers, and an appreciation of spending quality time enjoying the simple things in life with family and friends.