Cory Tiffin

A “clarinet maverick” (Time Out New York), Cory Tiffin is currently the Principal Clarinetist for the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Previous positions include Principal Clarinet of Green Bay Symphony and Performing Member of the Chicago Philharmonic. He won his first position in an orchestra at 23 years old, playing second clarinet in the Illinois Symphony.

Cory regularly performs with the San Francisco Symphony and Oakland Symphony, having also performed with the Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra, Kalamazoo Symphony, the California Symphony, and dozens of other orchestras nationwide. Summer festival appearances include performing as Principal Clarinet with the New Hampshire, Mendocino, Bear Valley, and Music in the Mountains festival orchestras.

Hailed for his “understated virtuosity” (Chicago Classical Review), Cory has given recitals with the Grammy Award-winning Chicago Chamber Musicians and the Grammy-nominated Lincoln Trio and both curated and performed on numerous programs on Chicago’s WFMT-FM. He has been a featured soloist multiple times with the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Las Vegas Philharmonic.

A champion of new music, he collaborated with some of the USA’s leading new music ensembles, such as Fulcrum Point New Music Project, Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, Access Contemporary Music, and the University of Chicago’s New Music Ensemble. He founded and ran the eclectic Anaphora Ensemble for several years in Chicago and has commissioned chamber music by some of today’s leading composers.

Cory received his Bachelor’s in Music from DePaul University. His primary teachers include Larry Combs, Julie Deroche, and Wagner Campos in addition to coachings and masterclasses with Stephen Williamson, Carey Bell, Yehuda Gilad, and many others. As an educator, Cory has been on the faculties of the University of Chicago, DePaul University, Loyola University, University of Nevada Las Vegas, and Chabot Community College. He can be heard on the Southport and Albany record labels. When away from the clarinet, Cory loves to spend time with his wife and son, especially during family hikes, camping trips, and beach days.