Clarinetist Daniel Gilbert joined the faculty at the University of Michigan as Associate Professor of Clarinet in 2007. Previously, he held the position of second clarinet in the Cleveland Orchestra from 1995 to 2007. A native of New York City, Gilbert received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and both a Master of Music degree and Professional Studies certificate from the Juilliard School. Prior to joining the Cleveland Orchestra, Gilbert was an active freelancer in New York City, appearing regularly with groups including: the Metropolitan Opera, American Ballet Theater, the New Jersey Symphony, Solisti New York, the Stamford Symphony and the New Haven Symphony, where he played principal clarinet from 1992 to 1995. Gilbert was a member of the Quintet of the Americas during that time touring throughout the United States and in residence at Northwestern University.

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An active soloist and chamber musician, Gilbert has appeared at the Round Top Festival, the Classical Tahoe festival, Festival Napa Valley, the Aspen Music Festival, the Maui Chamber Music Festival, the St. Barth’s Music Festival, Music on the Hill, the Rhode Island Music Festival, and the Cape Cod Music Festival, among others. He has appeared as soloist with orchestras throughout the United States, including the Cleveland Orchestra, CityMusic Cleveland, Classical Tahoe orchestra, the Reno Chamber orchestra, the New Haven Symphony, Solisti New York and the Aspen Chamber Orchestra. Gilbert also performs extensively with his wife, the pianist Donna Lee. The duo has given recitals throughout the United States to critical acclaim.

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Aside from his position at the University of Michigan, Gilbert also serves on the faculty of Case Western Reserve University. In addition, Gilbert is on the faculty of the Colorado College Music Festival, for which he is also principal clarinet of the chamber orchestra. Gilbert is the principal clarinet of CityMusic Cleveland, Classical Tahoe, and Festival Napa Valley and a part of Gerard Schwartz’s All Star orchestra, which is currently recording its third season for PBS. Gilbert formerly served on the faculty at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and Oberlin Conservatory of Music.  His teachers have included David Weber, Robert Marcellus, Stanley Hasty, Richard Waller, Burt Hara and Judith Kalin-Freeman. Gilbert is an artist/clinician for Buffet Clarinets and the DANSR/Vandoren Company. He plays exclusively on Buffet and Vandoren products.