About Joohwan
For clarinetist Joohwan Song, music has always been about embracing the wonderful challenges that it presents: the technical demands, the musically-informed decisions, and the artistry of bringing it all together on stage. It was during his formative high school years that he first discovered the beautiful tone of the clarinet. Its delicate, lyrical nature—reminiscent of a warm embrace—is what inspired him to pursue a career as a performing artist. As both a performer and instructor of the instrument, Joohwan is dedicated to revealing the clarinet’s full potential through his artistry and engaging presence.
As a performer, Joohwan enjoys the collaborative spirit of music-making. In 2018, he performed Beethoven’s Trio for Clarinet, Piano, and Cello in B-flat Major, Op. 11 at Carnegie Hall after winning the Grand Prix of the Rising Talents Music Festival competition. His most recent chamber performance, featuring him on bass clarinet, was Andy Akiho’s NO one To kNOW one, which he performed as part of a Costa Rica tour with the University of Oregon Wind Ensemble.
Joohwan’s enthusiasm for chamber music complements his enduring dedication to the orchestra. He has previously performed with professional groups such as OrchestraNEXT and the Newport Symphony Orchestra, as well as his university’s orchestra and wind ensemble. In 2024, he performed at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, where he was inspired by the dedication of his fellow musicians and felt reaffirmed in his drive to pursue artistic excellence. Joohwan also enjoys regularly collaborating with student composers to premiere their works to the public.
In addition to being a performer, Joohwan also works as a private instructor. He primarily teaches younger students and focuses his teaching philosophy on building a firm foundation upon which his students will eventually flourish independently. As an instructor, Joohwan believes in fostering a spirit of joy for playing the clarinet. His warm and personable nature complements his vision of cultivating an uplifting atmosphere for his students where they are free to explore and discover the nuances of the clarinet with his thoughtful guidance.
Currently, Joohwan is pursuing his M.M. in clarinet performance at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University under the guidance of Alexander Fiterstein. In 2025, he graduated from the University of Oregon with his B.M. in clarinet performance, studying with Dr. Wonkak Kim, where he received the Outstanding Musician in Woodwinds award.
Teaching Philosophy
At the heart of my teaching philosophy are three components: setting clear expectations, offering thoughtful guidance, and, above all, providing an abundance of encouragement.
At the start of every lesson, I tell my students what we will be working on. Usually, this involves some form of warm-up, followed by technique exercises, and finally ending with some music. This gives structure to the lesson and encourages students to follow a similar structure in their own practice. Flexibility is also given within each section, depending on what is prudent according to the student’s needs. At the end of the lesson, I inform students of what to prepare for the next session. This way, there is no uncertainty about what students need to work on.
I want my students to feel that their concerns are heard and addressed. If they have a question, I will answer it to the best of my ability. If their playing is struggling, I reassure them and redirect their focus to a fun, off-instrument activity that helps address the challenge in a fresh way. In this manner, I am able to keep my students engaged. Furthermore, I want my students to know that every lesson is a group effort, where we work together to tackle the issues at hand. As such, I encourage students to treat every roadblock as an opportunity to grow—in their understanding of themselves and in their playing. In the end, students will find that this process leads to results that are both effective and deeply rewarding.
I will go out of my way to ensure my students’ efforts are recognized and celebrated. I want my students to know that they can trust me with their mistakes and not feel pressured to be perfect. In fact, I often encourage mistakes. I see mistakes as opportunities for learning, and I believe that lessons are the best time to be making mistakes. Ultimately, I want my students to leave every lesson with a smile on their face, with the confidence of knowing that they are improving and are aware of where they need to improve—all without the fear of judgement clouding their growth.
Within the sound of the clarinet lies an endless world of rich timbres and expressive colors. It is my goal as a teacher to provide my students with the necessary knowledge and tools to enable them to discover these wonders for themselves. The path to discovering this sound can be an exciting journey, and with proper guidance, even the trickiest challenges can be easily overcome. Above all, I wish for my students to enjoy the instrument they play and feel confident in their ability.
Previous works
Blush by Jean Ahn
from mvt. 2 of Märchenerzählungen [Fairy Tales] for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano by Robert Schumann
from Concert Fantasia on Motives from 'Rigoletto' by Luigi Bassi