Clearly Classic Concerts

A very skilled group of musicians, based in Canada, make up the Clearly Classic Concerts family.

CONTACT:

Clearly Classic Concerts
173 Cayuga Avenue
Ancaster, Ontario
CANADA L9G 3B3

EMAIL & WEBSITE

*** To the Client ***
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Chamber Group

Mark Thompson - Susan Lee - Jonathan Craig - Tom Mueller
Corey Gemmell - Bob Bratina - Michele Irion - Charles Cozens - Roberto Occhipinti.

Mark Thompson - Artistic Director

Clarinetist Mark Thompson received Bachelor’s and Masters degrees from The University of Toronto studying with Avrahm Galper and Joaquin Valdepenas . He continued his studies at The Mannes College of Music in New York City studying on full scholarship with Peter Simenauer of The New York Philharmonic. In 1994, he won first prize in The Artists’ International Competition in New York and subsequently performed his New York debut at Carnegie Hall. Since then, he has been active as an orchestral player, chamber musician and recitalist throughout Canada and The United States. He has performed with both The Toronto Symphony and Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestras and has participated in many live CBC and National Public Radio broadcasts.While in New York, Mark held the position of principal clarinet in the Brooklyn Lyric Opera. He has also participated in commercial and theatre work since returning to Canada in 1996 and can be heard on Disney Channel programming. Since 1996, he has been artistic director of Clearly Classic Concerts participating in and planning many concerts. Clearly Classic Concerts take place in Dundas, Ontario.. He has collaborated with many fine artists in this capacity, including The Penderecki String Quartet. His CD release ‘Blue Skies’ has been heard extensively on CBC Radio 2.Recently he took part in a solo tour of Ontario with partner Susan Lee. His ensemble ‘Bach With A Twist!’ will be touring extensively next season. Mark is in demand nationally as a music festival adjudicator and clinician. He has also served as an adjudicator for the Glenn Gould Professional School and woodwind and brass examiner for the Royal Conservatory.

Susan Lee - Pianist

Pianist Susan Lee, a native of Ancaster Ontario received her Honours Bachelor of Music from McMaster University and subsequently went on to complete her Master of Music in Chamber Music at McGill University in Montreal. Susan has performed as an accompanist and chamber musician in many parts of Canada and in parts of the United States. She has performed with various members of the New Hamilton Orchestra, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Montreal Symphony, and Vancouver Symphony. Susan has performed on many concert series including that of Brandon University, McGill University, McMaster University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Boris Brott Festival. Susan is the co-founder of Clearly Classic Concerts. Apart from her busy accompaniment and performance schedule, Susan operates an active piano studio in Ancaster.

Jonathan Craig - Violist

.......born in Oakville Ontario, Jonathan began his musical studies on the violin at the age of six. After two years, at the suggestion of his teacher,the viola was added to his studies; a year later he won a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music in Hamilton. After completing a Bachelor of Music Degree with David Zafer at the University of Toronto, Jonathan received a Master of Music in performance from The University of Southern California, studying with Donald McInnes. Since then, he has been Principal Violist with The Millenial Arts Chamber Orchestra of Los Angeles, The Amadeus Ensemble in Toronto, and The National Ballet Orchestra of Canada. A prize winner in the 1991 Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition, Jonathan has built a reputation as soloist and chamber musician, performing extensively in both Canada and the United States; he can also be heard regularly on CBC radio. In February of 1995, Jonathan made his Edmonton Symphony Orchestra solo debut with Harold in Italy under the direction of maestro Uri Mayer. He has also appeared as soloist with The Alberta Baroque Ensemble, and The Academy Strings. Principal Violist with The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for four seasons and the Francis Winspear Distinguished Professor of Viola at the University of Alberta, Jonathan now lives in Toronto with his wife, cellist Joowan Kim and their three children. Currently Jonathan is a freelance Violist performing regularly with The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, The Canadian Chamber Ensemble, and The Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Jonathan is currently a faculty member at The Glenn Gould Professional School at The Royal Conservatory in Toronto.

Tom Mueller - Cellist

Cellist Tom Mueller holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance from the Manhattan School of Music in New York, and a Masters degree in Performance from the University of Illinois. While completing his degree in Illinois, Mr. Mueller was personally chosen by Robert Shaw to serve as principal cellist of the Robert Shaw Choral Festival in France. As a founding member of the Allendale String Quartet in New York, Mr. Mueller has performed throughout the Eastern Seaboard with such highlights as performances at Carnegie Hall, and on National Public Radio. As a teacher, Mr. Mueller has maintained private studios in New York, Central Illinois, and in Toronto. In addition to this, he has held teaching positions at the University of Illinois, Manchester Music Festival of Vermont, and the Waterloo Festival in New Jersey. Mr. Mueller currently freelances throughout the Toronto area, and is a member of the Elgin String Quartet.

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