Salisbury Symphony Orchestra

John Kurokawa currently performs as Principal Clarinetist of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. He has been a featured soloist with both ensembles, performing the works of Mozart, John Williams, Gerald Finzi, and John Adams. The press applauds his “...warmth, communication, and easy virtuosity” (Cincinnati Enquirer) and “truly flawless technique and intonation… a tone as smooth as silk and velvet.” (Kettering-Oakwood Times). He also performs as Principal Clarinetist with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (OH) and with the Prestige Clarinet Quartet, which has been a featured ensemble at the Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium, International Clarinet Association Clarinetfest, and numerous other universities and symposia. Kurokawa has performed as guest Eb Clarinetist and guest Principal Clarinetist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops, and Cincinnati Opera and most recently as guest Principal Clarinetist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Additional engagements as guest Principal Clarinetist include the Blue Ash Symphony Orchestra, Richmond (IN) Symphony Orchestra, Lakeside Symphony Orchestra, Ohio Valley Symphony Orchestra (2017), and others.

In addition to his performance duties, Kurokawa is the 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. Kurokawa has published articles in the Triad, presented at the Ohio Music Education Association Conference and Midwest Band and Orchestra Conference, and 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. His teachers include Angelo Fortini, Edward Marks, and Ronald de Kant.

Kurokawa performs exclusively on the Yamaha CSVR Clarinet and Yamaha Custom 881 Eb Clarinet and is a Yamaha Performing Artist.