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Cory Tiffin

Cory Tiffin

Principal

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 across the country. 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 both 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.