American clarinetist and BG France Performing Artist MICHAEL DEAN’s performing and teaching have been praised as "dynamic," "wonderful," "consummate performer," "inspirational," "outstanding teacher," "super" and "brilliant performer." Dr. Michael Dean maintains a national and international profile with recent recitals and master classes in Spain, Iowa, Missouri, Louisiana, and Texas. Upcoming plans include being Clarinet Artist Faculty in Residence at the Orfeo Music Festival in Vipiteno, Italy in July 2016.

Michael Dean has appeared as a clarinet recitalist at Carnegie Hall and has a sustained record of recitals, clinics, master classes, and presentations at international (ClarinetFests), national (NACWPI), and state (TMEA/TBA) conferences. He tours as a solo recitalist and clinician internationally and across the USA. He has extensive experience as an orchestral, chamber, and orchestra pit musician: Abilene Philharmonic, Southwest Symphony, Nevada Symphony, Southeast Chamber Players, and Red Mesa Trio. He recently performed for 11 years with the Paducah Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Dr. Dean has commissioned, premiered, edited and recorded numerous new and lesser-known clarinet works.

Michael Dean has achieved national and international recognition through his noted and widely-read “ClarinetMike Blog,” clarinetmike.wordpress.com. The clarinet blog has been read by clarinetists in 112+ countries on 6 continents with a yearly average of 20,000+ views. He’s published articles in print journals such as WINDPLAYER, Southwestern Musician, NACWPI Journal, The Bandmaster’s Review and online publications, such as Vandoren’s widely-distributed WAVE e-newsletter. Dr. Dean was previously Associate Professor of Clarinet (tenured) at Southeast Missouri State University for 11 years. An active clinician, he has given more than 250 clinics, master classes, and performances at high schools, universities, conservatories, conferences, etc. He is a past president and officer on the Executive Board of the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors (NACWPI). He was Co-Director of the NACWPI/CMS 2012 National Conference (San Diego), NACWPI 2011 National Conference (University of Florida) and the NACWPI/MENC 2010 National Conference (Washington, D.C.). At Southeast Missouri State University, he founded and directed the successful Southeast Missouri Single Reed Day annual festival for 10 years. Dr. Michael Dean studied clarinet performance at Texas Tech University, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Texas at Arlington. His teachers include Robert Walzel, Phil Aaholm, Carol Jessup, Jess Youngblood, Bob Ackerman and Pam Youngblood.