Sean Krissman

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 San Francisco Ballet Orchestra and was previously Principal Clarinet of the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra for eight seasons. 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, Helen Goode-Castro, 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, 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 Bob Cole Conservatory Symphony, Sean has performed with the New York Philharmonic as an inaugural Zarin Mehta Fellow. Other orchestral appearances include performances with Houston Symphony, Houston Ballet Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, and guest Principal Clarinet with Pacific Symphony and San Francisco Opera Orchestra.

Beyond performance, Sean possesses a strong passion for music education. As a former Young Artist with DACAMERA and member of Rice University’s JUMP! program, he participated in numerous community engagements in the greater Houston area and was formerly on faculties at the American Festival of the Arts and Lone Star College-University Park. Sean currently maintains a private clarinet studio and is on faculty at San Francisco State University.