WWU: Jose Franch-Ballester, Clarinet Masterclass

• Jose Franch-Ballester

The multi-award-winning Spanish clarinetist Jose Franch-Ballester (FrAHnk Bai-yess-TAIR) is considered one of the finest classical soloists and chamber music artists of his generation. He has been hailed for his "technical wizardry and tireless enthusiasm" (The New York Times), his "rich, resonant tone" (Birmingham News), and his "subtle and consummate artistry" (Santa Barbara Independent). The recipient of a prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2008, and winner of both the Young Concert Artists and Astral Artists auditions, he is a solo artist and chamber musician in great demand.

Born in Moncofa into a family of clarinetists and Zarzuela singers, Jose Franch-Ballester began clarinet lessons at the age of nine with Venancio Rius, and graduated from the Joaquin Rodrigo Music Conservatory in Valencia. In 2005 he earned a bachelor’s degree from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied with Donald Montanaro. Mr. Franch-Ballester’s mentors also include Ricardo Morales, principal clarinet in the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Join us for a masterclass in the inner lobby of the Performing Arts Center Mainstage.

Masks are encouraged on the WWU campus, but not required except in health care settings. Please check for any updated visitor guidance before attending: https://www.wwu.edu/coronavirus/visitor-guidance

About Western Washington University (WWU) Department of Music

https://cfpa.wwu.edu/music

About Jose Franch-Ballester

https://music.ubc.ca/jose-franch-ballester