Michael Rusinek joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as Principal Clarinetist in 1998. Born in Toronto, Canada, his early studies were with Avrahm Galper at the Royal Conservatory of Music and he later attended the Curtis Institute of Music, studying with Donald Montanaro. Upon graduation, Mr. Rusinek served as assistant principal clarinet with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. He has also performed as Principal Clarinet with the orchestras of Philadelphia, St. Louis, The Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and The National Arts Center in Ottawa, Canada.
Mr. Rusinek has performed as a recitalist across Canada, The United States, and Israel, as well as concerto soloist with many orchestras including appearances with the Czech Philharmonic, Concerto Classic Wien, Toronto Symphony, Belgrade Philharmonic, Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra, Aspen Chamber Symphony, and the Symphony Orchestra of the Curtis Institute of Music.
Dedicated to teaching, Mr. Rusinek is a member of the faculties of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and the Aspen Music Festival and School in Aspen, Colorado. He has led master classes at some of the leading institutions around the world. He is a frequent guest at the New World Symphony in Miami, Florida and has served on the faculty of the Canton International Summer Music Academy in Canton, China, returning regularly to China to teach and perform.
