Bio

Tubist Dr. Justin Clarkson has been bringing the “low sounds” to the “low country” since 2012. He spends his time as a performer with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the North Charleston Pops and the Mount Pleasant Symphony. As an educator, you can find him working with students one-on-one or in larger settings as Adjunct Professor of Low Brass at Charleston Southern University, Brass Coordinator for Wando High School and as founder of the Charleston Low Brass Seminar. As a human, you might find him running half marathons, working out, or enjoying time at home as a father and husband.

Recently, Dr. Clarkson welcomed the opportunity to perform on the newly recorded album, Under an Indigo Sky, with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, featuring the works of local composer, Edward Hart. He is also proud to have two albums with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas under the Sony label, Travieso Carmesi and Mi Alma Mexicana. Dr. Clarkson is the featured soloist in Revueltas’ Sensemaya on the first album, Mi Alma Mexicana.

Dr. Clarkson holds degrees from Louisiana State University (BM), Manhattan School of Music (MM), and Stony Brook University (DMA). He also maintains substitute musician positions with the Savannah Philharmonic, Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Albany Symphony and Hilton Head Symphony. His previous appointments include Adjunct Faculty at the College of Charleston, Visiting Faculty for LSU’s Stately Oaks Chamber Winds and Percussion Camp, Principal Tubist of the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, Principal Tubist of the Westchester Chamber Symphony, Principal Tubist with the Charleston Wind Symphony, tuba teacher for the Boston Crusaders and marching member for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (2006). And if that wasn’t enough!

He is also a founding member of two equally successful brass quintets, M5 and Vector Brass (formerly Trinity Brass Quintet). M5 was in residence at the Bravo Vail Valley Music Festival in 2010 and can be seen performing on WQXR’s the McGraw Hill Young Artist Showcase. The other, Vector Brass, was the fellowship quintet for the Aspen Summer Music Festival in 2008.

He currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his wife, soprano, educator and best friend, Katherine Matthews Clarkson. They have an incredible son, Henry and a couch potato, Winston (Boston Terrier).

Education

STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
Doctor of Musical Arts, 2013

MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Master of Music, 2010

LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Music, 2008

Teachers

ALAN BAER
New York Philharmonic

DR. JOE SKILLEN
Louisiana State University

MIKE POWELL
American Brass Quintet

SETH ORGEL
Atlantic Brass Quintet

WARREN DECK
New York Philharmonic